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Transition Networks Unveils Industry's First Remotely Managed RS-232 Copper- to-fiber Media Converter

Posted on: Monday, 12 January 2004, 06:00 CST

MINNEAPOLIS, Jan. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Transition Networks Inc., the conversion technology expert, today announced the unveiling of the industry's first remotely managed chassis-based RS-232 copper-to-fiber media converter. In addition to the chassis card, a stand-alone version is available to remotely manage the fiber connection to the chassis card, allowing a completely manageable RS-232 link at distances up to 80 km over fiber optic cable.

These feature rich media converters transmit the full complement of RS-232 flow control/handshaking signals, while supporting full or half-duplex data transmission at speeds up to 128 Kbps. In addition, many diagnostic features help to make installation easy and intuitive. Key features of the RS-232 include local or remote loopback on both copper and fiber optic cable allows for complete diagnostic testing prior to system turn-up or during troubleshooting; Read/write access via software to both chassis card and stand-alone unit allow for status information from remote locations, as well as the ability to enable/disable loopback; and Unit and Port LEDs for local status of each converter. A DTE/DCE switch eliminates the frustration over selecting the correct cable and can be used with both straight-through and cross-over cables.

"The remote in-band management as well as the local and remote loopback capability greatly simplifies the life of network administrators and affords them the opportunity to keep control of the network while overcoming the distance limitations of RS-232 copper-based cabling," said Bill Schultz, vice president of marketing for Transition Networks. "These full-featured converters take the guesswork out of linking remote devices such as POS devices, scanners or remote terminals to a centrally located server or host computer. In addition, the Point System chassis platform will allow for the ultimate flexibility in design choices for each specific location."

Transition Networks' media converters can be managed using the stand-alone FocalPoint software application as well as via a standard web browser with the Web-based management tool or through command line interface (CLI). FocalPoint offers full SNMP read/write management capabilities via a user-friendly graphical user interface (GUI) supported on major network management platforms including Windows, HP OpenviewTM, Sun Solaris and NT.

Product Configuration and Availability

Transition's new RS-232 copper-to-fiber media converters are available immediately. See the following table for ordering information:

Model Number Description

CRS2F3111-100 RS232 copper (DB-9) to fiber converter, 1300nm MM

ST (2km), Point System card

CRS2F3113-100 RS232 copper (DB-9) to fiber converter, 1300nm MM

SC (2km), Point System card

CRS2F3114-100 RS232 copper (DB-9) to fiber converter, 1310nm SM

SC (20km), Point System card

CRS2F3115-100 RS232 copper (DB-9) to fiber converter, 1310nm SM

SC (40km), Point System card

SRS2F3111-100 RS232 copper (DB-9) to fiber converter, 1300nm MM

ST (2km), Stand Alone

SRS2F3113-100 RS232 copper (DB-9) to fiber converter, 1300nm MM

SC (2km), Stand Alone

SRS2F3114-100 RS232 copper (DB-9) to fiber converter, 1310nm SM

SC (20km), Stand Alone

SRS2F3115-100 RS232 copper (DB-9) to fiber converter, 1310nm SM

SC (40km), Stand Alone

Please contact Transition Networks at (800) 526-9267 or http://www.transition.com/ for additional information on RS-232, as well as their complete line of conversion products.

About Transition Networks Products

Transition Networks' conversion products are known for their ruggedness and reliability. They have a 99.87 percent customer acceptance rating, meaning that approximately one in 1,000 experience failure in the field. All Transition products carry a lifetime warranty.

About Transition Networks Inc.

Transition Networks Inc. offers networking connectivity solutions that make the conversion between disparate media types possible. The company designs and markets these media conversion technologies across a broad spectrum of networking protocols including Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, ATM, Gigabit Ethernet, T1/E1, DS3, and more. The company works alongside leading networking vendors - Nortel Networks, Hewlett Packard, 3COM, Cisco, Enterasys, Extreme, Foundry, Avaya and others - to provide conversion technology solutions that offer the necessary adaptations without affecting the performance, nature or appearance of the network to the users or the network devices. Based in Minneapolis, Transition Networks distributes hardware-based connectivity solutions exclusively through a network of resellers in 50 countries, including Ingram Micro and Tech Data. Transition Networks is a wholly owned subsidiary of Communications Systems, Inc., a publicly traded company .

Statements regarding the Company's anticipated performance in 2003 are forward-looking and involve risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to: competitive products and other factors discussed from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Company Contact:

Bill Schultz

Transition Networks

(952) 996-1573

bills@transition.com

Editorial Contact:

Kim Miller

KLM Public Relations Inc.

(617) 610-0583

klmcomm@hotmail.com

Transition Networks Inc.

CONTACT: Bill Schultz, Transition Networks, +1-952-996-1573,bills@transition.com; or Kim Miller, KLM Public Relations Inc.,+1-617-610-0583, klmcomm@hotmail.com

Web site: http://www.transition.com/

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