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Advantech Launches FWA-230 "Secured by Check Point" VPN/Security Appliances

Advantech's FWA-230 Provides an Ideal Solution for Small-to-Medium Businesses and Enterprise Remote Offices

Taipei, Taiwan - April 22, 2002 - Advantech Co., Ltd., a leading provider of mission-critical Network Computing platforms and appliances, today announced the launch of the Advantech FWA-230™ series of VPN/security appliances integrating market-leading software from Check Point Software Technologies (NASDAQ: CHKP), the worldwide leader in securing the Internet. FWA-230 has completed Check Point's rigorous testing process and is now certified as a "Secured by Check Point" appliance.

"We are excited to see Advantech release the FWA-230 'Secured by Check Point' appliance," said Asheem Chandna, vice president of business development and product management for Check Point Software Technologies. "VPN-1/FireWall-1 SmallOffice NG integrated on the FWA-230 provides small and medium businesses and enterprise remote offices with enterprise-class security that is simple, secure and affordable."

Designed with the Plug-and-Secure concept, the FWA-230 offers three 10/100Mbps auto-sensing Fast Ethernet ports in the front panel for WAN, LAN, and DMZ connections. Also on the front panel for easy access is a 9-pin, RS232 serial port for local system management, maintenance, and diagnostics. For maximum reliability, the FWA-230 has pre-installed the hardened Linux operating system and the latest Check Point VPN-1®/FireWall-1® SmallOffice™ software. Additionally, FWA-230 integrates a 128 MB Compact Flash card, avoiding any potential service disruption caused by hard disk's mechanical/magnetic failures. The Compact Flash card can be accessed and replaced through an easily removable cover. Each FWA-230 is equipped with a 566MHz Intel Celeron™ processor, 128MB PC-133/100 SDRAM, and an optional slim-type 2.5", 9.5mm IDE HDD for storing event log and user data, all housed in a compact, 224x39x170mm (8.8"x1.5"x6.7") desktop chassis.

"The FWA-230 is specifically designed to secure the exploding SMB security market. With these customers in mind, the FWA-230 offers the highest flexibility and serviceability these customers require in achieving the fastest time-to-market and time-to-service" said Juber Chu, the General Manager of Advantech, Network Computing Group. "FWA-230 also offers the highest scalability and unparalleled performance required for the demanding networks of SMB and enterprise remote offices."

According to Advantech executives, the FWA-230 will be aggressively rolled out through Advantech's more than 20 direct offices around the world in Q2, 2002, starting from the Greater China region. Advantech has already begun to establish strategic alliance relationships with the numerous value-added resellers of Check Point in this area. The two parties will join force together in the booming SMB market, in which Advantech will provide the rigorous hardware platform while the Check Point VARs will provide the VPN-1/FireWall-1 SmallOffice NG software license. To further help her partners to penetrate the targeted market, Advantech has already set up a post-sale service network across China, with which the SMB customers will receive 24x7 phone support and on-site services for the FWA-230 products they purchased.

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About Advantech
Founded in 1983, Advantech has designed and built specialized and reliable computing platforms to satisfy unique and often very rigorous requirements. The company is publicly listed in Taiwan Stock Exchange since December 1999 (Taidex Symbol: 2395, Yahoo Taidex Symbol: 2395.TW) with current market capital us$ 71.8 million. The estimated 2001 worldwide revenue is us$ 300 million. Led by CEO and Chairman KC Liu, Advanteh's 1,200 employees offer more than 400 products focusing on applications in Industrial/Factory Automation, Embedded Computing, Network Computing, and Panel PCs/Appliances. Advantech has offices in 16 countries and 35 major cities, with more than 60 distributors around the world. For more information, visit www.advantech.com.

About Advantech Network Computing Group
Advantech Network Computing Group (NCG), one of Advantech's four major product groups, based on 18 years of experience and expertise in developing computers that can continuously operate in hazardous environment, offers world-wide system integrators highly reliable, most powerful, and specially designed computing platforms that are immediately ready for the most critical and demanding network applications. NCG's product offering includes high availability CompactPCI systems, dedicated network appliance platforms, Enterprise CT Application-Ready Platforms, RAID and network-attached storage subsystems, high-end industrial grade single-board computers (SBCs), servers, and chassis. For more information, visit www.advantech.com/nc/.

About Check Point Software Technologies
Check Point Software Technologies is the worldwide leader in securing the Internet. It is the confirmed market leader of both the worldwide VPN and firewall markets. The company's Secure Virtual Network (SVN) architecture provides the VPN and security infrastructure that uniquely enables secure and reliable Internet communications. SVN solutions, as delivered in the company's Next Generation product family, secure business communications and resources for corporate networks, remote employees, branch offices and partner extranets. Extending the power of SVN is Check Point's Open Platform for Security (OPSEC), the industry's framework and alliance for integration and interoperability with "best-of-breed" solutions from over 300 leading companies. Check Point solutions are sold, integrated and serviced by a network of 2,000 certified partners in 203 countries. For more information, please call us at 800/429-4391 or 650/628-2000 or visit us on the Web at http://www.checkpoint.com or at http://www.opsec.com.

2002 Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. All rights reserved.
Check Point, the Check Point logo, FireWall-1, OPSEC, VPN-1, SVN are trademarks, service marks, or registered trademarks of Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. or its affiliates. All other product names mentioned herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.