NETGEAR Launches RangeMax Wireless-N Gigabit Router with USB, a Powerful Open Source Linux Platform for Developers and Enthusiasts with New Partner Applications

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Mon Oct 5, 2009 8:31am EDT

NETGEAR Launches RangeMax Wireless-N Gigabit Router with USB, a Powerful Open
Source Linux Platform for Developers and Enthusiasts with New Partner
Applications
NETGEAR Also Announces Development Partner Program for Embedded Software
Application Developers to Create Custom Applications

SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- NETGEAR®, Inc. (Nasdaq:
NTGR), a worldwide provider of technologically innovative, branded networking
solutions, today announced the launch of RangeMax(TM) Wireless-N Gigabit
Router with USB (WNR3500L), a full-featured Wireless-N router offering
high-performance wireless range and speed along with Gigabit Ethernet ports
and ReadyShare(TM) USB storage access.


(Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091005/SF86351)


The RangeMax Wireless-N Gigabit Router with USB is also designed to serve as a
reliable, high-performance open source Linux® platform supporting a wide
variety of applications created by multiple development partners and the
dedicated open source community. Some of these partners include BigFoot
Networks for boosting network speeds for online gaming, Leaf Networks for easy
remote access, Paragon Software for high-speed USB file reads and writes, and
Sputnik for hotspot solutions.


The most popular free, open source Linux-based firmware -- DD-WRT, OpenWRT and
Tomato -- are also available on the RangeMax Wireless-N Gigabit Router, making
it easier for users to develop a wide variety of applications. Customers can
download the Linux-based open source firmware from the open source community
and development program website at http://www.myopenrouter.com.


"The debut of our open source RangeMax Wireless-N Gigabit Router is
significant as it is the first full-featured Wireless-N Linux router to
combine wide ranging capabilities, features, infrastructure and a community to
enable application development," stated Som Pal Choudhury, senior product line
manager for advanced wireless at NETGEAR. "Feedback and ideas from our open
source community have been key in developing this powerful platform. We are
therefore very pleased to announce our Development Partner Program, with
multiple software vendors and developers creating customized, robust,
commercial-grade applications on the WNR3500L."


Router Features and Performance
The high-performance RangeMax Wireless-N Gigabit Router with USB features a
480MHz MIPS® 74K CPU core with embedded hardware acceleration and incorporates
8 MB of flash memory and 64 MB of RAM, enough to run even business-class
applications. It features five 10/100/1000 (one WAN port and four LAN)
Ethernet ports with auto-sensing technology with high WAN to LAN speeds in
excess of 350 Mbps. It incorporates an 802.11n access point with a wireless
repeater mode to extend range. The three internal Metamaterial antennas
provide enhanced wireless range and reliable connections.


In addition to its Gigabit Ethernet ports to deliver ultra-fast wired network
connections, the WNR3500L router includes a USB 2.0 host port for USB
networked storage and for developing other custom applications, including
remote access, DLNA/UPnP Media Server support, and USB modem support for
3G/4G/WiMax high-speed cellular connections.


The high-performance WNR3500L protects the network from intruders via a double
firewall and Denial-of-service attack prevention. The wireless connection is
secured with support for Wi-Fi Protected Access(TM) (WPA), WPA2-PSK, while
Push 'N' Connect using Wi-Fi® Protected Setup(TM) (WPS) enables users to add
computers to the network quickly and securely.


For maximum throughput, NETGEAR recommends the RangeMax Wireless-N Gigabit
Router with USB be used with a matching Wireless-N client device such as the
NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter (WN111).


A Community of Developers
The NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N Gigabit Router with USB is supported by a
dedicated open source router community, http://www.myopenrouter.com, which
provides open source firmware downloads, applications, forums, blogs,
articles, source code and user guides. Members also have access to dedicated
and responsive support from open source experts.


NETGEAR is also introducing a Development Partner Program that already
includes several software application vendors who are creating custom
applications for the WNR3500L router that NETGEAR customers can download and
enjoy. Companies include:


    --  BigFoot Networks - network optimized online gaming:  Bigfoot Networks
        (http://www.bigfootnetworks.com) is a networking technology company
that
        develops hardware and software solutions that significantly improve
the
        online gaming experience. Bigfoot Networks is currently working with
the
        NETGEAR WNR3500L router to deliver optimized home networking solutions
        for online gamers that combine the performance benefits and
flexibility
        of the Bigfoot Networks Killer Xeno Pro and the WNR3500L router.
    --  Leaf Networks - easy remote access:  Leaf Networks
        (http://www.leafnetworks.net) software and technology securely extends
        LAN-like connectivity over the Internet to embedded devices, mobile
        users and software applications. A streamlined version of this
software
        is available to enable owners of the NETGEAR WNR3500L to remotely
access
        their external USB storage device connected to the router USB port
from
        anywhere, as if it were on their home network, using familiar tools
such
        as Windows® File Explorer and Mac® Finder.
    --  Paragon Software - high-speed USB NTFS read/writes:  Paragon Software
        Group (http://www.paragon-software.com) is an innovative software
        developer focused on two dynamic growth markets: Data Storage,
including
        data security, storage and management for embedded devices, PCs,
servers
        and networks; and Mobile Applications. Paragon NTFS for Linux, based
on
        the company's unique Universal File System Driver (UFSD) technology,
has
        now been developed for the NETGEAR WNR3500L open source router. It
        provides full access to a Windows (NTFS-formatted) hard drive attached
        to the WNR3500L, enabling all PCs, clients and servers, regardless of
        their operating system, to access and share files to and from the
drive
        via the WNR3500L.

    --  Sputnik - full-featured hotspot solutions:  Sputnik, Inc.
        (http://www.sputnik.com) offers SputnikNet, an innovative web
        application that enables Wi-Fi hotspot providers to run free or paid
        public-access wireless networks of any size, with full control over
        branding and customer experience. With Sputnik-powered DD-WRT firmware
        running on the NETGEAR WNR3500L, SputnikNet enables Wi-Fi hotspot
        providers to build high-speed wireless networks of any size and manage
        them centrally over the web. In addition, SputnikNet gives the
provider
        flexible control over Wi-Fi branding and customer experience (free,
        paid, ad-supported Wi-Fi). The NETGEAR WNR3500L is the first 802.11n
        Wi-Fi router sold directly by Sputnik with Sputnik-powered firmware.





Pricing and Availability
The NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N Gigabit Router with USB (WNR3500L) will be
available in Fall 2009 through select retailers, direct marketers, e-commerce
sites and value-added resellers. The router is backed by a one-year warranty
and 24/7 technical support, and has an MSRP in the U.S. of $139.99.


For more information:
    --  Photos and data sheets:
       
http://www.netgear.com/Products/RoutersandGateways/RangeMaxWirelessNRout
        ersandGateways/WNR3500L.aspx

    --  Open-source community web site: http://myopenrouter.com





About NETGEAR, Inc.
NETGEAR (NASDAQGM: NTGR) designs innovative, branded technology solutions that
address the specific networking, storage, and security needs of Small- to
Medium-sized Businesses (SMBs) and home users. The company offers an
end-to-end networking product portfolio to enable users to share Internet
access, peripherals, files, multimedia content, and applications among
multiple computers and other Internet-enabled devices. Products are built on a
variety of proven technologies such as wireless, Ethernet and powerline, with
a focus on reliability and ease-of-use. NETGEAR products are sold in over
29,000 retail locations around the globe, and via more than 41,000 value-added
resellers. The company's headquarters are in San Jose, Calif., with additional
offices in 25 countries. NETGEAR is an ENERGY STAR® partner. More information
is available at http://www.netgear.com or by calling (408) 907-8000. Follow
NETGEAR at http://twitter.com/NETGEAR and http://www.facebook.com/netgear.


©2009 NETGEAR, Inc. NETGEAR, the NETGEAR logo and RangeMax are trademarks or
registered trademarks of NETGEAR, Inc. in the United States and/or other
countries. Wi-Fi is a trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance. Other brand and product
names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
Information is subject to change without notice. All rights reserved.


Note: Maximum wireless signal rate derived from IEEE Standard 802.11
specifications. Actual data throughput will vary from maximum signal rates
stipulated. Network conditions and environmental factors, including volume of
network traffic, building materials and construction, and network overhead,
lower actual data throughput rate.


Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995 for NETGEAR, Inc.:
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of
the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Specifically,
statements concerning NETGEAR's business and the expected performance
characteristics, specifications, reliability, market acceptance, market
growth, specific uses, user feedback and market position of NETGEAR's products
and technology are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Safe
Harbor. These statements are based on management's current expectations and
are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation,
the following: the actual price, performance and ease of use of NETGEAR's
products may not meet the price, performance and ease of use requirements of
customers; product performance may be adversely affected by real world
operating conditions; failure of products may under certain circumstances
cause permanent loss of end user data; new viruses or Internet threats may
develop that challenge the effectiveness of security features in NETGEAR's
products; the ability of NETGEAR to market and sell its products and
technology; the impact and pricing of competing products; and the introduction
of alternative technological solutions. Further information on potential risk
factors that could affect NETGEAR and its business are detailed in the
Company's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
including, but not limited to, those risks and uncertainties listed in the
section entitled "Part II - Item 1A. Risk Factors," pages 35 through 49, in
the Company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal second quarter
ended June 28, 2009, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
August 6, 2009. NETGEAR undertakes no obligation to release publicly any
revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events
or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of
unanticipated events.


(Logo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030730/NETGEARLOGO)




SOURCE  NETGEAR, Inc.

U.S. Media, Lisa Hawes of Sterling Communications, +1-408-884-5155,
lhawes@sterlingpr.com, for NETGEAR, Inc.; or U.S. Sales Inquiries,
+1-408-907-8000, sales@netgear.com, or U.S. Customer Inquiries, 1-888-NETGEAR
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