The specification enables corporations to reduce costs both through power usage savings and by allowing remote systems management tasks to happen during off-hours like evenings and weekends. This is accomplished by allowing PCs to enter low-power sleep modes without losing network functionality and without changing the network infrastructure. Network devices written to this specification, in conjunction with an OnNow enabled operating system, will have the ability to sort through network traffic and wake-up the computer for defined network requests. The next versions of Microsoft's Windows® 95 and Windows NT® workstations will both be OnNow enabled. The specification is also compatible with Magic Packet(TM) technology, developed by AMD and Hewlett-Packard.

OnNow is the industry initiative to define and deliver instantly accessible and always-available PCs for use in homes, in corporations and on the road. The OnNow initiative is a comprehensive, system-wide approach to system and device power management. An OnNow enabled PC is always on, but appears off, allowing it to respond immediately to user or other requests while still saving power. The Networking Class Specification is another step in the movement toward a complete OnNow power-managed PC, following on the heels of the Advanced Configuration and Power Interface specification announced on January 6, 1997.

Microsoft and AMD proposed the network class specification in August, 1996. Since then, leading networking companies including 3Com Corp., Crystal Semiconductor, Digital Semiconductor (a Digital Equipment Corp. business), Intel Corp. and Olicom, and system makers Hewlett-Packard and IBM have contributed to the design reflected in the final specification. Intel Architecture Labs drove an effort to prove concept viability, identify required OS infrastructure changes and establish requirements for the specification. Products incorporating the new specification are expected in the second half of 1997.

"This specification provides a framework for developing networking products with consistent power management functionality. Its adoption will ensure that more end-users will have access to networked PCs with money- and time-saving power management and remote wake-up features," said Bob Krueger, AMD's vice president for networking products.

"Working in partnership with industry leaders in networking technology, such as AMD, has enabled us to jointly develop a power management specification for network adapters that will enable cost-effective hardware implementations that can deliver the desired wake-up functionality on OnNow power-managed networked PCs," said Bill Veghte, group manager of the Windows Platform at Microsoft Corporation.

Windows Platform at Microsoft Corporation. The network device class OnNow specification for power management is available now on Microsoft's Web site, http://www.microsoft.com/hwdev/onnow.htm. More information about OnNow power management and device and bus specifications is available at the Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC) 97, at http://www.microsoft.com/hwdev/winhec.htm.

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About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.