MeshNetworks Announces Availability of MeshLAN™ Multi-Hopping™ Software for 802.11 Networks
MeshLAN software leverages mesh architecture to improve robustness and range of commercial off-the-shelf 802.11 cards

Maitland, FL - February 6, 2002 - MeshNetworks, Inc. today announced the limited availability of its new MeshLAN™ Multi-Hopping™ software solution for industry standard 802.11 (Wi-Fi) based wireless LANs. MeshLAN software extends the range and robustness of existing Wi-Fi networks by adding multi-hopping peer-to-peer capabilities to off-the-shelf 802.11 cards.

MeshLAN software transforms wireless LAN cards into router-repeaters, which enhances and extends the wireless reach of each subscriber in the network. A MeshLAN-enabled Wi-Fi user who is out of range of an access point can hop through one or more users to reach the access point. Furthermore, the MeshLAN routing intelligence will automatically shift transmissions from congested access points to uncongested ones - easing bottlenecks and improving overall network performance.

“Clearly wireless LANs will benefit from the robustness and increased coverage area that the Multi-Hopping mesh architecture offers. It will certainly give wireless LAN vendors an expanded feature set, while allowing those deploying wireless LANs a more cost-effective network,” according to Gemma Paulo, Industry Analyst, of Cahners In-Stat Group.

The 802.11 standards were written to include both infrastructure and peer-to-peer modes. Until now, the peer-to-peer mode offered little practical functionality to most users or corporate IT departments. MeshLAN software leverages the built-in peer-to-peer mode included in every 802.11 card to improve network performance and reduce network costs.

To demonstrate the power of their Multi-Hopping technology, MeshNetworks loaded MeshLAN software onto 35 laptops equipped with Wi-Fi cards from multiple vendors. The MeshLAN-enabled computers were spread out over a distance of 4.6 miles - while high-speed video and voice sessions ran between the computers on each end.

“There is no question that the demand for wireless LANs, particularly 802.11 based systems, has skyrocketed over the past few years and will continue to grow exponentially. The challenge is providing adequate capacity for users without adding significant infrastructure, management and backhaul costs as these networks expand,” said Masood Garahi, chairman and CEO of MeshNetworks. “With MeshNetworks’ advanced Multi-Hopping MeshLAN software, 802.11 systems are considerably improved in terms of capacity and coverage. We have proven that wireless LAN coverage can be extended from a few hundred feet to several miles by employing our Multi-Hop routing techniques.”

MeshNetworks also demonstrated seamless hand-offs between the MeshLAN-enabled 802.11 network and its mobile broadband network deployed in Maitland, Florida. Wireless LAN users moved seamlessly between the LAN and mobile network while engaged in high-speed web browsing and bandwidth intensive multimedia applications.

The patented peer-to-peer MeshLAN software is now available to strategic partners, and commercial availability is anticipated in the second quarter of 2002. The software is designed to work with commercial off-the-shelf 802.11 variants, including 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g.

Licensing agreements are also available to those who wish to embed MeshNetworks’ hardware and software technologies directly into their standard 802.11 or proprietary wireless LAN systems.

“Embedding MeshNetworks’ technology will increase performance and allow vendors to differentiate themselves in the market by offering additional features, such as the position location and Quality of Service (QoS) management for voice, video, and data to their products,” explained Peter Stanforth, CTO of MeshNetworks. “MeshNetworks’ mobile ad hoc peer-to-peer networking technology is “radio agnostic” and therefore can be used with many different radio technologies and devices.”

The company will demonstrate its breakthrough technology and products at the CTIA trade show (Booth #5585) in Orlando, Fla. from March 18 through March 20, 2002.

About MeshNetworks, Inc.
MeshNetworks has developed a revolutionary mobile broadband network architecture based on patented ad hoc peer-to-peer (p2p) networking technology. The result is a self-forming, self-healing wireless mesh where mobile devices become the network. MeshNetworks’ Multi-Hopping™ network technology offers non-line-of-sight broadband connectivity, while eliminating the need for towers and extensive system design. Industry standard Internet Protocol (IP) support lets existing applications and devices “go mobile” without any changes or additional development. MeshNetworks addresses the needs of both mobile and fixed wireless broadband applications. The Company is making its breakthrough technology available through licensing, chipsets and turnkey network products. It employs nearly 100 professionals, including top authorities on ad hoc peer-to-peer networking. A demonstration network is deployed in Maitland, Florida, near the Company’s headquarters. MeshNetworks is a venture-backed startup, whose investors include: Apax Partners, BancBoston Ventures, Inc., ITT Industries, Redwood Ventures, and 3Com Ventures.

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