AMD Reduces Total Cost of Ownership with Fully Integrated Third Generation Fast Ethernet Controller

Single-Chip PCnet™ -FAST III Controller with AlertIT™ Technology Offers Advanced Manageability and Low Power Operation

SUNNYVALE, CA -- 3/15/1999 -- Further reducing the total cost of ownership and enhancing the manageability of networked PCs, AMD today announced availability of the PCnet™ -FAST III single-chip Fast Ethernet controller. The PCnet-FAST III single chip 10/100 Mbps (Megabits Per Second) PCI-bus Ethernet controller fully integrates an IEEE 802.3-compliant Media Access Controller (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) functions, and features low 3.3 Volt power operation. Integrated support for advanced management capabilities, such as the new AMD AlertIT™ systems management technology, drives down the cost of operating and maintaining systems connected to the enterprise network.

AMD Fast Ethernet Controller
AMD's third-generation Fast Ethernet controller is offered as a complete silicon-based system solution, including all of the hardware, software and design tools required by networking and system Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMS) to implement 10/100 Ethernet connectivity in either a Network Interface Card (NIC) or directly on the motherboard. As the newest member of the AMD PCnet family of Ethernet controllers, the PCnet-FAST III integrates support for AMD's recently updated Managed Performance Portfolio (MPP) of hardware, software, and firmware solutions that improve network and system performance and manageability.

The latest addition to MPP, and a key differentiating feature of the PCnet-FAST III controller, is AMD's new AlertIT technology, a combination of hardware and software that automatically alerts system administrators of any potential problems or changes to a networked system before they occur. This proactive management solution helps to reduce maintenance costs and enhance remote management of networked systems. The AlertIT functionality complements and works in conjunction with other MPP elements such as AMD's patented Magic Packet™ technology for remote wake-up, management firmware for remote system setup, component instrumentation for asset management, and Computer Associates Unicenter TNG™ Enterprise Framework management software.

"AMD is committed to providing complete silicon solutions for enterprise networking that ease manageability and lower the total cost of ownership," said Dr. Laila Razouk, vice president of the Network Products Division at AMD. "AMD's PCnet-FAST III provides IT managers with all of the tools required to enable full-featured remote systems configuration, notification and management."

Based on Industry Standards
The PCnet-FAST III device and associated software and firmware are fully compliant with the Microsoft® PC98 and PC99 requirements, as well as the Wired for Management initiative, enabling highly-manageable, high-performance Fast Ethernet systems solutions. The low-power, fully integrated MAC and PHY controller supports the IEEE 802.3 Fast Ethernet standard, including Auto-Negotiation of link speed and duplex mode to automatically provide the hightest level of performance supported by the network. The device also supports key industry specifications including ACPI (Advanced Configuration Power Interface) and OnNow power management with AMD's Magic Packet remote wake-up technology. The AMD AlertIT hardware and software solution leverages industry standard technologies such as the Desktop Management Interface (DMI), Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), System Management Bus (SMBus) and Inter-IC (I2C) to provide new levels of manageability, enabling a PC to send an alert message to the system administrator station in the event of a critical error or failure, such as chassis intrusion or temperature rise.

Price and Availability
The PCnet-FAST III device is offered in two configurations: the Am79C973 and the Am79C975 (integrates the AlertIT systems management technology). The Am79C973 is priced at US $11.95 and the Am79C975 is priced at US $12.95 in 10K quantities for direct delivery. Both devices are available immediately in either a 160-pin PQFP or 176-pin TQFP package.

Cautionary Statement
Except for historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including the timely development and market acceptance of new products, the impact of competitive products and pricing, the effect of changing economic conditions, and such risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in the company's SEC reports.