FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Farallon First to Ship Cross-Platform Home Phoneline Networking Solution
HomeLINE for Macs and PCs simplifies connectivity for sharing a
single Internet connection, multi-player games, printers, files and
more.
San Leandro, CA, May 24th, 1999 - Farallon Communications, Inc.,
developer of reliable, plug-and-play networking solutions for Macs
and PCs, ships their new, low-cost HomeLINE solution for networking
both Macs and PCs over existing phonelines in the home. HomeLINE
includes all the hardware and software users need for connecting
computers to share Internet access, multi-player games, printers,
files and more. Farallon is the only vendor with a cross-platform
solution using the Home Phoneline Networking Alliance (HomePNA)
standard geared towards networking in the home and small office over
phone wire.
Home networking represents a fast growing, rapidly emerging market
opportunity. Dataquest estimates that there will be 17 million
multiple computer homes in the US this year and the number is
expected to reach 26 million in 4 years. Additional research
indicates 60% of new consumer PC purchases are by families that
already have at least one computer and Forrester Research believes
there will be more than $1 billion spent on home networks by 2002.
Farallons 12 plus years of experience providing reliable,
plug-and-play networking to cross-platform users uniquely positions
the company to support homes with multiple Macs and PCs. The popular
Dr. Farallon free support program already advises users in homes,
small business and educational institutions on Mac and PC networking.
Farallon has leveraged internal expertise to develop the HomeLINE
Macintosh Install Wizard and driver software. Alliances with Intel
to provide the hardware plus Windows Internet, file and printer
sharing software, and with Vicomsoft for the Macintosh Internet
gateway solution, add additional functionality. "These best-of-breed
partnerships allow us to provide a high-quality, complete solution
for homes with Macs, PCs or a combination of both," states Ken Haase,
Director of Marketing for Farallon.
"Intel is pleased that Farallon has chosen AnyPoint hardware and
software to help bring robust networking capabilities to homes that
have both PCs and Macs," said Dan Sweeney, general manager of Intel's
Home Networking Operation. "Farallon's new HomeLINE products provide
an effective, simple networking solution for these homes."
"Sharing a single Internet connection over a home network is far more
cost effective than installing a second line in a home," says Brian
Morris, CEO of Vicomsoft. "The power of SurfDoubler 6.0 and ease of
use of HomeLINE offers families the unique ability to interconnect
their Macs and PCs so that everyone can surf simultaneously instead
of one at a time."
About HomeLINE
Farallons HomeLINE Starter Kit and Single Pack include all the
hardware and software needed to instantly network Macs or PCs with an
available PCI slot simply by plugging them into any standard phone
jack. HomeLINE network users can then share a single Internet
connection, multi-player games, printers, files and more. There is no
need to install new wires or network hubs.
* Mac & PC Software to Share an Internet Connection The HomeLINE
NetPack CD-ROM includes Macintosh and PC Internet gateway software to
allow users to share a single ISP Internet connection using an analog
modem, ISDN, xDSL (Digital Subscriber Line) or cable modem over their
HomeLINE network:
- HomeLINE Internet sharing software for Windows
(Uses Intel AnyPoint Home Network PC Technology)
- Vicomsoft SurfDoubler 6.0 for Macintosh
* Additional Software for Mac OS & Windows For the complete home
networking user experience, the HomeLINE NetPack CD-ROM contains
additional software, such as for printer sharing, file transferring
and web site installation:
- Miramar PC MacLAN free trial version for cross-platform printer &
file sharing
- Netopia Timbuktu Mac & PC free trial versions for cross-platform
collaboration
- Netopia Virtual Office personal web site software for Macs & PCs
* Dr. Farallon Offers Free Cross-Platform Technical Support Only a
phone call or an email away, Farallon's 12 plus years of experience
providing reliable, plug-and-play networking to both Mac and PC users
is available to home computer users prior to, during or after
installing a home network.
* Home Phoneline Network Certified
Based on the Home Phoneline Networking Alliance (HomePNA) 1.0
industry specification, HomeLINE technology enables in-house
phonelines to transfer data at 1Mbps (megabits per second) without
interrupting regular telephone voice service (POTS) or feeds from
ISDN, Digital Subscriber Line (xDSL) or cable modem connections. With
HomeLINE, any standard telephone jack in the home is capable of
networking a Mac or PC. HomeLINE is home phoneline network certified
and also works with other HomePNA compliant products.
(www.homepna.org)
Academic researcher and HomeLINE beta user Thomas Rogers states,
"HomeLINE is a great value for my household. We are now sharing
computer resources and an Internet connection which helps save money.
One of my favorite hobbies is photography. With HomeLINE, color
photos scanned into my PC can be printed to the ink-jet printer
connected my wifes Power Mac. HomeLINE makes all this easy to do
using our phone wires that are already part of the residence."
HomeLINE Features
- Includes everything you need to connect computers over existing
phonelines.
- Mac & PC Internet sharing software to share a single ISP Internet
connection over an analog, cable, ISDN or DSL modem.
- Installation Wizards for Mac OS, Windows 95 & Windows 98 to easily
configure Macs & PCs
- Dual phone-port on card eliminates need to install separate phone jack
for phone, fax or modem
- Based on Intels HPNA chipset for high-performance & reliability at a
low cost
- Support for simultaneous access to HomeLINE network, voice service and
high-bandwidth ISDN, DSL or cable modem service
- Up to 1Mbps transfer rate gives access speeds of roughly 18 times
faster than a 56 kbps (kilobits-per-second) modem
- Home Phoneline Network Certified for compatibility with other HomePNA
solutions
- FCC Class B certified for safe use within the home
- Dr. Farallon free technical support & software driver upgrades
HomeLINE Pricing & Availability
HomeLINE is available through major US distributors, resellers and
catalog retailers. HomeLINE is also available off the Farallon Web
(http://www.farallon.com).
Starter Kit: PN740-SK US Estimated Street Price $139 2 PCI cards,
NetPack Software CD, 2 cables, QuickStart card & User Guide
Single Pack: PN740-SP US Estimated Street Price $79 1 PCI card,
NetPack Software CD, 1 cable, QuickStart card & User Guide
HomeLINE Minimum System Requirements
Macs: Power Macintosh with System 7.5.5 or higher and 16MB RAM or
more. PCs: Pentium processor or higher with Windows 95 or 98 and 8MB
Ram of more.
18MB free hard disk space ~ free PCI slot ~ CD-ROM drive ~ telephone
jack near each computer NOTE: An ISP account on at least 1 computer
is required to share Internet access.
About the Home Phoneline Networking Alliance
The Home Phoneline Networking Alliance is an incorporated, non-profit
association of industry-leading companies, including Farallon,
working together to help ensure adoption of a single, unified
phoneline networking industry standard and rapidly bring to market a
range of interoperable home networking solutions. For more
information on HomePNA, contact Judy Richardson (415) 923-1660,
mailto:jrichardson@alexanderogilvy.com.
About Farallon Communications, Inc.
Founded in 1986, Farallon develops and markets reliable,
plug-and-play networking products designed to "Simplify Networking
Through Innovation." With over 8 million customers worldwide,
Farallon is dedicated to providing complete, easy-to-use networking
solutions and world-class technical support to the Home, Small
Business, Publishing and Education communities. Further information
can be obtained via phone 510.346.8000, web (http://www.farallon.com)
or email (mailto:info@farallon.com). Farallon is an affiliate of
Gores Technology Group, a worldwide high technology business
management company. The Farallon headquarters are in San Leandro,
California, with a European office in the UK.
