2010/04/27

Minnetonka, Minn. April 27 -- /Marketwire/ -- Transition Networks Inc., the fiber access technology expert, a wholly owned subsidiary of Communications Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:JCS), today announced the launch of its newest portfolio of ION Network Interface Devices (NIDs). The x2220, x3220 and x3230 families are specifically designed to help telecoms and cable providers generate and preserve revenues when delivering Ethernet services. With this announcement, Transition Networks expands its carrier class and enterprise network product portfolios by expanding The ION Platform, which is an intelligent, high-density, multi-protocol system that supports a variety of network interface devices and media conversion modules.

With the growing demand for Ethernet services, the new ION NID products enable service providers to offer tiered services with end-to-end Service Level Agreements (SLAs), while increasing customer satisfaction and keeping capital expenses (CapEx) to a minimum. These new ION NIDs create a clear demarcation point between the provider and customer network, as well in carrier-to-carrier networks. These new ION NIDs can be used in conjunction with The ION Platform or as standalone devices.

"Customers continue to put more demands on service providers for faster and cheaper Ethernet services, but they still require Service Level Agreements (SLAs)," said Patrick Schaber, Director of Marketing at Transition Networks. "These new ION Network Interface Devices provide a cost-effective way to meet these demands and address wide-scale deployment challenges while still providing the features service providers require such as: Service OAM, Link OAM, Performance Monitoring, C-TAG/S-TAG support, Quality of Service (QoS) bandwidth allocation and remote diagnostics."

With key features like Link OAM and Service OAM capabilities, Transition Networks' ION NIDS ensure rapid detection and isolation of potential service related problems. The ability to have trouble detection and resolution from a central Network Operations Center (NOC) dramatically reduces operating expense (OpEx) and results in a quicker Mean Time to Repair (MTTR), with the end result being a happier customer.

Product Features
These ION NIDs support up to 10k jumbo frames and bandwidth allocation to limit upstream and downstream traffic. The ION NIDs offer complete Ethernet OAM support including 802.3ah (Link OAM). The x3230 series include Ethernet OAM support for 802.1ag (Service OAM) and Y.1731 (Performance Monitoring) to ensure visibility across the entire network.

IEEE 802.1p Quality of Service (QoS) is included on the latest ION NIDs to allow service providers to offer different classes of services to customers as well as full VLAN support, including double tagging (Q-in-Q). Service providers are also able to select the Ethertype of the S-TAG.

Configuration, management and monitoring of the ION NIDs can be performed from a web-browser, command line interface (CLI), via telnet or the console port, or with a 3rd party SNMP system.

Product Configuration
Transition Networks' Network Interface Devices are available as a chassis card for The ION Platform or as a standalone version. The following table provides more information on the specific models.

Model	C/S3230	C/S3231	C/S3220	C/S3221	C/S2220
Copper Port	(1)10/100/ 1000Mbps	(1)10/100/ 1000Mbps	(1)10/100/ 1000Mbps	(1)10/100/ 1000Mbps	(1)10/100/ 1000Mbps
Fiber Port(s)	(1) 1000Mbps *Fixed optic or SFP *SFP port is triple speed	(2) Triple speed SFP ports	(1) 1000Mbps *Fixed optic or SFP *SFP port is triple speed	(2) Triple speed SFP ports	(1) 100Mbps *Fixed optic or SFP
802.3ah	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
802.1ag / Y.1731	Yes	Yes

For complete product details please contact Transition Networks at (800) 526-9267 or +1-952-941-7600.

Product Availability
Please contact Transition Networks at (800) 526-9267 or +1-952-941-7600 for pricing and more information on the Transition Networks' ION NID products. You can also visit www.transition.com for the latest information.

About Transition Networks Products
Transition Networks' conversion products are known for their ruggedness and reliability. They have a 99.4 percent customer acceptance rating, meaning that approximately one in 1,000 experience failure in the field. The ION NIDs carry a lifetime warranty.

About Transition Networks, Inc.
Transition Networks Inc. offers networking connectivity solutions that make networks perform better, faster and more reliably while helping companies leverage their existing networking infrastructure. The company's Transition Networks brand of media converters make conversion between disparate media types possible, providing conversion technology solutions that offer the necessary adaptations without affecting the performance, nature or appearance of the network. Its complete Milan portfolio of multilayer switching products is designed to facilitate low-cost network evolution with unique solutions, easing the stress on networks caused by high-bandwidth applications. Based in Minneapolis, Transition Networks distributes hardware-based connectivity solutions exclusively through a network of resellers in 50 countries, including Ingram Micro and Tech Data. Transition Networks is a wholly owned subsidiary of Communications Systems, Inc., a publicly traded company (NASDAQ: JCS).

Statements regarding the Company's anticipated performance in 2010 are forward-looking and involve risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to: competitive products and other factors discussed from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Company Contact:
Patrick Schaber
Transition Networks
(952) 996-1526

Editorial Contact:
Kim Miller
Tier One Partners
(617) 610-0583

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