Linksys PowerLine AV Solutions Offer Alternative "No New Wires" Solution to Moving Entertainment Content Around the Home

Dubai, UAE - April 24, 2007 - Linksys, a Division of Cisco Systems, Inc., and the recognised leading global manufacturer of voice, wireless, and networking hardware for the home, Small Office/Home Office (SOHO) and small business user, today announced its newest PowerLine networking products that are designed for HomePlug AV, the next generation of PowerLine standards from the HomePlug PowerLine Alliance. The Linksys PowerLine AV Ethernet Kit (PLK200) includes two PowerLine AV Ethernet Adapter (PLE200) units, enabling consumers to purchase a complete solution to connect their computers, networked entertainment products, or peripheral devices utilising the existing power lines at data throughput speeds up to 100Mbps* around their home.

The Powerline AV Ethernet kit comes with two Powerline AV Ethernet Adapters and two Ethernet cables. The first adapter can connect with the included Ethernet cable into a broadband wired or wireless router via the LAN port on the router, then the adapter plugs into a power outlet in the wall. The second Powerline AV Ethernet Adapter can then be plugged into a computer or another networked device with the Ethernet cable via the Ethernet port and the other end of the adapter is then plugged into a power outlet within the home. Two powerline adapters are required to share a broadband connection and access other devices connected to the network. Up to 16 other computers or devices on a network utilising a PowerLine AV Ethernet Adapter can access the Internet connection or each other.

Linksys PowerLine AV solutions incorporate a robust, highly secure and reliable means of transferring data and high definition content around the home.

Because they are designed for the HomePlug AV standard, the new products can combat electrical noise generated by appliances, electronic devices and halogen lights, as well as facilitating secure networking through the built-in encryption techniques to help reduce the risk of neighbors on the same power grids gaining access to sensitive data or the Internet connection.

"HomePlug AV is an ideal solution to connect media adapters, set top boxes and other networked entertainment devices to a home network because of the high bandwidth and increased range PowerLine products provide," said Matt McRae, Linksys senior director of business development and a member of the HomePlug Power Alliance board of directors. "PowerLine AV solutions from Linksys are giving consumers the ability to build a connected home that fits their lifestyle by introducing complementary networking technologies in the home that can work seamlessly with other standards-based technologies like Wireless-N and Ethernet."

The Linksys PowerLine AV solutions differ from other advanced PowerLine products because they are designed for the HomePlug AV standards that are expected to be interoperable or co-exist with other HomePlug AV products on the market. Most existing proprietary solutions only work with same-vendor branded solutions and are not backward compatible with the industry standard HomePlug solutions.

"The Linksys HomePlug AV solutions are helping to drive the HomePlug AV standard forward," said Mathew Theall president of the HomePlug Power Alliance. "Linksys' strong presence in retail and their broad offering of all types of home networking solutions will help to integrate powerline solutions seamlessly with other networking topologies around the home."

Linksys Powerline AV solutions can provide the following benefits to consumers:

Enables networking over existing power lines in the home
Provides networking speeds potentially as fast as wired Ethernet*
Suitable for HDTV, Networking, VoIP, Gaming
Co-exists with existing HomePlug 1.0 products

Simple plug-n-play installation
Works out-of-the-box
Pre-encrypted, user can change security key with included software

Superior reliability and robustness
The HomePlug AV standard offers leading-edge immunity to noise that is generated on home power lines by appliances, electronic devices and halogen lighting.  

Availability
Please refer to your local PR contact for pricing details and availability in your country.

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About the HomePlug Powerline Alliance:
The HomePlug Powerline Alliance, Inc. is an industry-led initiative established to create specifications for home high-speed powerline networking products and command & control among platforms within the home, and broadband access services to the home. The Alliance accelerates demand for HomePlug-enabled products and services worldwide through the sponsorship of market and user education programs. Membership in the Alliance has grown to include over 65 industry-leading companies. HomePlug Sponsor companies include Linksys, a division of Cisco Systems, Inc (CSCO); Comcast (CMCSK); EarthLink (ELNK); GE Security, Inc., an affiliate of General Electric Co. (NYSE: GE); Intel Corporation (INTC); Motorola (MOT); RadioShack Corporation (RSH); Sharp Laboratories of America; and Sony (SNE). Additional information about the Alliance, including a complete listing of certified products, is available at http://www.homeplug.org.

About Linksys
Founded in 1988, Linksys, a Division of Cisco Systems Inc., (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the recognised global leader in Voice, Wireless and Ethernet networking for consumer, SOHO and small business users. Linksys is dedicated to making networking easy and affordable for its customers, offering innovative, award-winning products that seamlessly integrate with a variety of devices and applications. Linksys provides award-winning product support to its customers. For more information, visit www.linksys.com.

*The maximum performance for powerline is derived from HomePlug Powerline Alliance HomePlug AV specifications. Actual performance can vary, including lower powerline network capacity, data throughput rate, range and coverage. Performance depends on many factors, conditions and variables, including volume of network traffic, building materials and construction, operating system used, mix of networking products used, interference from other electrical devices, number of hops, age of home wiring, and other adverse conditions.

Linksys is a registered trademark or trademark of Cisco Systems, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and certain other countries. Other brands and products are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Copyright 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc.  All rights reserved.

© Press Release 2007