ODS Responds to Customer Demand, Adds Line of Ethernet Stackable hubs

The EtherStack hub provides connectivity for up to 80 managed 10BaseT
ports

Richardson, Texas - April 17, 1995 - Today, Optical Data Systems, Inc.
(ODS), (NASDAQ-NMS:ODSI) announced a new line of EtherStack stackable hubs
to meet the high demand for stackable products. The EtherStack series will
provide both managed and unmanaged hubs. The managed hub comes with an ODS
hub management tool that runs on HP OpenView for Windows workstations and
provides an SNMP agent with RMON support and MIB II extensions. The hub
manager provides facilities for single-point configuration,
control/updating of software and displays real-time status information.

EtherStack Managed and Unmanaged Stacks

ODS EtherStack 1105-16ESU and SNMP managed EtherStack 1105-16ESM are
stackable hubs, featuring an expandable hub concept for easy scalability.
The hubs provide connectivity between end-stations and Ethernet backbone
LAN for 16 non-managed 10BaseT ports. Users can begin with one 1105-16ESM
or 1105-16ESU hub to provide the necessary connectivity for a small
workgroup. When more connectivity is needed, the workgroup can be extended
by stacking additional hubs through the interconnect capabilities provided
by the EtherStack 1105-16ESM for a maximum configuration of 80 users per
stack.

Larger networks can be created simply by connecting several independent
hub-based workgroups through dedicated backbone ports. The Ethernet
backbone port is an AUI (10Base5) port. Other types of backbone
connections are supported through three different external transceivers
which include BNC (10Base2), RJ45 (10BaseT), and fiber (10BaseFL)
connectivity.

Up to four EtherStack 1105-16ESU hubs can be connected externally via the
hub interconnect cables to an 1105-16ESM hub forming a single logical SNMP
managed repeater. The EtherStack 1105-16ESM hub provides SNMP management
capabilities for all hub units in any given stack.

SNMP Network Management

The EtherStack 1105-TSM includes an SNMP agent operating over UDP/IP or IPX
implementing MIB II (RFC 1213). Repeater MIB (RFC 1516) and an ODS
Enterprise MIB. The SNMP agent uses RFC 1157 compliant protocol to
exchange information with up to four SNMP mangers. The RFC 1497 BootP
protocol has been implemented for software downloads.

Network Availability

The EtherStack hubs improve the network availability by automatically
recovering from most network failures. If a cable between two hubs is not
functioning properly, then each hub will automatically disable the
connection, thereby ensuring that the workgroups can continue operating
independently. If the hub detects a failing segment it will automatically
partition the segment to prevent the malfunctioning segment from
disrupting network transmissions. When a partitioned segment resumes
normal operation, an auto-connect utility makes sure that the segment is
reconnected to the network.

Pricing and Availability

The EtherStack 1105-16ESM and EtherStack 1105-16ESU are priced at $2,240
and $1,490 respectively. Both products will be available in volume
quantities immediately.

Warranty/Technical Support

ODS offers a one-year warranty on all EtherStack hubs through the NetShield
service program. NetShield provides five distinct levels of network
maintenance and warranty options ranging from Standard to Platinum. The
Standard service includes free support from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.,
Monday-Friday, CST. Users can also request information, post notes or
receive updates on the Internet at help@ods.com or via the ODS Home Page
at http://www.ods.com/.

Optical Data Systems provides intelligent hubs and related computer
networking and internetworking products. ODS' products support the five
industry standards currently in use today: Ethernet, Fast Ethernet (both),
Token Ring, Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI) and the Asynchronous
Transfer Mode (ATM). ODS' products--intelligent hubs integrate user
modules, network management modules, multi-protocol bridges and routers
and other accessory products into complex LANs, MANs and WANs enabling
customers to create an integrated, highly reliable network infrastructure
to support their heterogeneous computing environment.

For the fourth quarter of 1994 that ended December 1994, ODS sales
increased 40% to $24.3 million compared to sales of $17.3 million reported
for the same period a year ago. Net income increased 49% to a record $2.8
million or $.34 per share, for the quarter, compared to net income of $1.9
million or $.23 per share a year ago.

For 1994 year end totals, sales rose 55% to $86.6 million compared to sales
of $55.9 million reported for 1993. Net income climbed 75% to $8.6 million
or $1.04 per share, compared to net income of $4.9 million, or $ 0.60 per
share, reported last year.

Optical Data Systems Inc
1101 East Arapaho Rd
Richardson, TX 75081
214-301-3811,  fax 214-301-3893

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