Siemon Announces New Additions to the BladePatch<sup>®</sup> Product Line

For Immediate Release
March 24, 2005

Siemon Announces New Additions to the BladePatch^® Product Line

Designed for high-density Blade Servers in data centers, server farms and other high-density environments, this innovative line of RJ45 compatible patchcords with push-pull latch now available in Category 6 UTP and Screened Category 5e versions.

WATERTOWN, CT — Siemon is proud to introduce Category 6 UTP and Screened Category 5e versions of their BladePatch patch cord. The BladePatch is a unique RJ45-style patchcord which can be inserted and removed without the need to depress an external latch. The patented pushpull internal latching mechanism locks the plug into position when pushed into the outlet or patch panel, and is removed by simply pulling back on the boot.

With BladePatch's unique latching design, need for less "finger space" around each patch cord, and slimmer boot design, it is ideal for high-density patching environments. While it is designed to work with any RJ45-style outlet or patch panel, its ideal use is with blade servers. "BladePatch is designed with a slimmer boot than other patch cords, allowing tight side-stackability. When a telecommunications closet or data center uses BladePatch patch cords in tandem with blade servers, they have the ultimate in high-density solutions," explains Brian McCaffrey, Siemon's BladePatch product manager.

Previously available in Siemon's highest-performance 10 Gigabit capable 10G 6™ versions, the addition of Cat 6 UTP and Screened 5e versions allows the BladePatch line to support nearly all high-density patching needs.

"We developed the 10G 6 BladePatch first, knowing that the performance needs of large enterprise data centers would drive them to a 10 Gigabit capable solution," said McCaffrey, "Since then, we found that even organizations who do not yet require 10 Gigabit still struggle with patching density. The new Category 6 UTP and 5e Screened BladePatch cords are a direct response to that market need."

All BladePatch patch cords are compatible with standards-based RJ45 outlets and meet FCC68.500 and IEC 60603-7 specifications, ensuring reliability and long-term resistance to humidity-based corrosion, extreme temperatures and airborne contaminants. This UL-listed and 100% transmission-tested patch cord is also compatible with both T568A and T568B wiring schemes which allows it to accommodate all Ethernet applications. It features Siemon's patented cross-pair metallic isolator and 360° crimp, which maintain pair geometry and and eliminates deformation, resulting in high transmission performance.

To find out more about Siemon's new BladePatch and other Siemon innovations, visit www.siemon.com.

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About Siemon: Established in 1903, Siemon is an industry leader specializing in the manufacture and innovation of high quality, high-performance network cabling solutions. Headquartered in Connecticut, USA, with global offices, manufacturing and service partners throughout the world, Siemon offers the most comprehensive suite of copper (unshielded and shielded twisted-pair) category 5e, category 6 (Class E), augmented category 6/category 6A(Class E_A) and category 7/7A (Class F/F_A), and multimode and singlemode fiber cabling systems available. With over 400 active patents specific to structured cabling, from patch cords to patch panels, Siemon Labs invests heavily in R&D and development of industry standards, underlining the company's long-term commitment to its customers and the industry.

Press Contact:: Brian Duval; Marketing Communication Manager; Siemon; 101 Siemon Company Drive; Watertown, CT 06795; Phone : (1) 860 945-4380; Fax : (1) 860 945-8503