Windows XP and Internet Gateway Devices to Enable Great Broadband Experiences

REDMOND, Wash., July 17, 2001 — Microsoft Corp. today announced that its Windows® XP operating system will include native support for Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) Internet gateways, providing broadband users at home and small businesses with a seamless way to participate in online games, videoconferencing and other peer-to-peer services. In addition, leading Internet gateway manufacturers, such as ARESCOM Inc., Buffalo Technologies Corp., D-Link Systems Inc., Intel Corp., Linksys Group Inc. and NetGear Inc. also have committed to supporting UPnP for their upcoming Internet gateway products, which will give customers more flexibility and a greater choice of solutions for their home or small business.

“Windows XP is designed to enable the digital world by providing powerful yet simple connectivity for both home and business,”
said Jawad Khaki, vice president of Windows Networking and Communications at Microsoft.
“The broad industry support of Windows XP and UPnP will make it incredibly easy for people to get the most out of a high-speed Internet connection.”

In addition to Internet gateway manufacturers, broadband software companies recognize the value of UPnP in Microsoft® Windows XP, providing users with an effortless way to participate in broadband services.

“This adoption by the industry means consumers will enjoy an improved broadband service experience,”
said Kip McClanahan, president and CEO of BroadJump Inc.
“Enhancing that consumer experience, while reducing the consumer-side complexity, will positively impact the adoption of broadband.”

Universal Plug and Play is a key element in Microsofts vision of home networking, in which smart devices, PCs and the services they provide are
“peers”
on a network and communicate via a digital information exchange. UPnP provides this communication framework based on Internet standards to allow PCs, intelligent devices and appliances on a network to automatically identify and work with one another. UPnP supports any type of wired or wireless physical media that can support IP (Internet Protocol)-based networking and encompasses all types of connectable devices, including PCs, home entertainment systems, new
“smart”
appliances, home automation systems, networked peripherals and Web-based services. More information on UpnP can be found at http://www.upnp.org/ .

UPnP-enabled Internet gateways and UPnP support in Windows XP will enable multiple PCs and devices to share a single public IP address on a small network without encountering the configuration problems commonly confronted by home and small-business users today. Most broadband providers to homes and small businesses supply a single IP address, which is then shared via a gateway through the use of Network Address Translation, or NAT, technology. UPnP enables individual applications to automatically navigate this gateway.

“Up until now with UPnP implementation, configuring home and small-business networks has been somewhat difficult and time-consuming,”
said Victor Tsao, president and CEO of Linksys.
“Linksys is pleased to provide support for Universal Plug and Play across our line of cable/DSL routers, gateways, modems, storage and print server solutions, which will provide our customers with an easy, streamlined way to get the most out of their home or office networks.”

Windows XP Home Edition and Windows XP Professional, the new Microsoft operating systems for home and work, will be available Oct. 25, 2001. Customers interested in experiencing Windows XP early can take advantage of the Windows XP Preview Program; they can visit http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/preview/ to get a look at a test version of Windows XP. Internet gateway vendors will begin releasing products with UPnP support later this year. Some Internet gateway vendors also will provide software updates to enable UPnP support in currently deployed Internet gateways.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software — any time, any place and on any device.

Microsoft and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.


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