Sonnet announces 2-Port Gigabit Ethernet network adapter cards

Sonnet Technologies Inc., a provider of upgrades and accessories for Apple Mac desktop, server, and notebook computers, announced this week the introduction of the Presto Gigabit PCIe Server PCI Express network adapter card and the Presto Gigabit PCI-X Server network adapter card.

These Sonnet cards add two GbE (Gigabit Ethernet) ports to any compatible computer, offer enhanced performance through support for jumbo packet data transfers and link aggregation, and deliver improved reliability with transparent failover protection, in case a cable gets disconnected or a port fails.

Sonnet Technologies, headquartered in Irvine, California, provides local storage systems for professional users of Macintosh, Windows, and Unix systems in the film, video, and broadcast industries, Sonnet's continued success is due in part to a superior staff of engineers and personnel committed to excellence.

Since its founding in 1986, Sonnet offers product solutions that enhance the storage, performance, and connectivity of Macintosh, PC, and industry-standard computers. The company is a computer hardware upgrade company with a product line featuring a range of high-performance, cost-effective, and reliable storage solutions, as well as a variety of performance-extending upgrade cards.

Presto Gigabit PCIe Server features a native PCI Express x4 host bus interface for maximum performance in most recent computers, while Presto Gigabit PCI-X Server features a 64-bit, 133 MHz PCI-X host bus interface for maximum performance and even wider compatibility in older computers. Both Presto Gigabit Server network adapter cards deliver enhanced networking support in compatible computers and gigabit speeds over common CAT-5 cabling, so costly cable replacement is unnecessary to support the higher performance. Presto Gigabit Server network adapter cards’ 1000/100/10BaseT auto-negotiation and full/half duplex communication support allow them to be used in most networks.

The benefits of these Sonnet cards include a simple way to add two ports of GbE connectivity to any compatible computer, supports gigabit speeds on common CAT-5 cabling with no need for costly cable replacement, supports link aggregation on its own and with onboard GbE ports, and supports transparent failover. It also features full/half duplex, 1000/100/10BaseT auto-negotiation, and fast host bus interfaces for maximum performance.

The Presto Gigabit PCIe Server is compatible with Xserve (with PCI Express 1.1 slots), Mac Pro, Power Mac G5 (with PCI Express slots), Server with PCI Express slot, PC with PCI Express slot, Mac OS X Version 10.4.11+, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista and Windows XP with SP2.

The Presto Gigabit PCI-X Server is compatible with Xserve (with PCI or PCI-X slots), Power Mac G5 (with PCI or PCI-X slots only), Power Mac G4 (all models except Cube), Power Macintosh G3 Server, Blue & White, Server with PCI or PCI-X slots, PC with PCI or PCI-X slots, Mac OS X Version 10.4.11+, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista and Windows XP with SP2.

The Presto Gigabit PCIe Server with part number GE1000LA2X-E is available for the retail price of US$ 199.95. The Presto Gigabit PCI-X Server with part number GE1000LA2X will be available this month for the retail price of US$ 199.95.