Intel Corporation has unveiled a new network appliance that enables small businesses to quickly and easily network their offices and take advantage of the rapidly expanding growth of e-business through broadband connectivity.

The Intel InBusiness Small Office Network offers small businesses high-speed Internet connectivity, office resource sharing and remote management functionality, says a company spokesman.

Broadband is an increasingly important component of a smaller company's overall e-business strategy.

Industry analyst firm International Data Corporation (IDC) estimates that 2.2 million small businesses will be using DSL for high-speed connectivity by 2003. The InBusiness Small Office Network addresses customer's growing networking needs by providing a simple solution that enhances productivity while offering the latest ISDN and DSL connectivity.

"Intel's InBusiness Small Office Network addresses rapidly growing trends in e-business - the increasing number of small businesses connecting to the Internet and the adoption of broadband for high-speed performance," says Dave King, sales and marketing director, channel distribution, Intel EMEA.

"Our solution is designed to be an affordable, simple to install and an easy way for small businesses to network their offices as they take an active role in the internet economy."

Intel is introducing two versions of the Intel lnBusiness Small Office Network, which targets small businesses with less than 25 employees.

The sealed, multifunction appliances provide user-friendly tools, installation, trouble-free maintenance and management, and are affordably priced at $1 ,499 and $2,149 (US suggested list), and $1,399 and $1,999 (US estimated street), respectively.

The higher end version offers data mirroring capabilities, the Intel Celeron processor at 533 MHz, and DSL or ISDN capabilities. In addition, the DSL version of the InBusiness Small Office Network offers a second network adapter so a customer can connect an external DSL modem.

The Intel InBusiness Small Office Network incorporates Microsoft Corporation's Windows for Express Networks operating system for small business appliance products. The remote, Web-based tools of the InBusiness Small Office Network enable service providers to assist customers with remote real-time support, management and product health monitoring, all via an Internet connection. The proactive appliance monitor feature of the Small Office Network is capable of automatically sending product health e-mail updates to a service provider according to individual company preferences, says King.

Intel has also announced a new family of Gigabit Ethernet adapters and LAN-on-motherboard (LOM) products, including a new adapter for fiber optic networks that is up to 30 per cent faster than similar products on the market.

The Gigabit Ethernet products are for copper and fiber optic networks and will help organisations address the demanding bandwidth requirements of evolving networks and data centres supporting the latest e-business and Internet applications.

Intel has also announced a new family of Gigabit Ethernet adapters and LAN-on-motherboard (LOM) products, including a new adapter for fiber optic networks that is up to 30 per cent faster than similar products on the market. The products are for copper and fiber optic networks and will help organisations address the demanding bandwidth requirements of evolving networks and data centres supporting the latest e-business and Internet applications.