WRT330N includes Network Optimization for Console and PC Gaming

LAS VEGAS – January 08, 2007 – From the 2007 International Consumer Electronics Show, Linksys®, a Division of Cisco Systems, Inc., and the recognized leading global manufacturer of voice, wireless, and networking hardware for home, Small Office/Home Office (SOHO) and small business user, today announced the newest addition to its family of wireless-N products, the Wireless-N Gigabit Gaming Router (WRT330N).

Designed as a high performance gaming router for home networks, the WRT330N features Wireless-N technology that is designed to offer up to four times the range and twelve times the throughput speed of Wireless-G.* It includes four Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports, one Gigabit WAN port and an industrial design tailored specifically to the gamer audience. An optimized Quality of Service implementation within the WRT330N examines network traffic based on customizable settings and gives gaming packets the highest priority.

The WRT330N supports PC and game consoles, online games-on-demand services, multi-player online role-playing game servers, and head-to-head multiplayer games. Its network optimization also makes the WRT330N an ideal router for other latency-sensitive applications such as Voice over IP and Internet cameras.

“Our WRT330N is the first wireless-N product that Linksys has designed to address the needs of a specific group of consumers,” said Mani Dhillon, director of product marketing, consumer business organization, Linksys. “When you couple the throughput levels possible using Wireless-N with the network optimization done within this product, gamers can now be comfortable with wireless technology.”

Since the introduction of its first Wireless Game Adapter in 2003, Linksys has established itself as the worldwide leader in networking solutions for the market with over 500,00 products gaming-specific products sold. Other products designed specifically for gamers currently available from Linksys include the Wireless-G Game Adapter (WGA54G), the Wireless-A/G Gaming Adapter (WGA54AG), and the Network Optimizer for Gaming and VoIP (OGV200).

Security
Wireless transmissions made using the WRT330N can be encoded with industrial-strength encryption using WPA2, WPA, or WEP to help protect data and privacy. It can serve as a DHCP server, supports VPN pass-through, and has a powerful SPI firewall to help protect against intruders and most known Internet attacks. Enabling these security features is easy with the Linksys Web browser-based configuration utility.

Pricing and Availability
Available now through Linksys e-commerce retailers, retail stores, direct response, and VAR partners retail stores, the WRT330N has an estimated street price of $199.99.

About Linksys
Founded in 1988, Linksys, a Division of Cisco Systems Inc., (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the recognized 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 wireless is derived from IEEE Standard 802.11 specifications. Actual performance can vary, including lower wireless network capacity, data throughput rate, range and coverage. Performance depends on many factors, conditions and variables, including distance from the access point, volume of network traffic, building materials and construction, operating system used, mix of wireless products used, interference 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.