Transition Networks Expands the Indura Substation Switch Product Portfolio

Indura™ Switch Line Now Includes High-Voltage for Use in Substation Applications

San Diego, CA — January 29, 2013 — Transition Networks Inc., a preferred technology partner delivering innovative fiber networking and specialized products worldwide, and a wholly owned subsidiary of Communications Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ-GM: JCS), announced today at the DistribuTECH Conference & Exhibition the expansion of its new Indura™ product platform to include high-voltage VDC and VAC input power. The Indura™ electrical substation IEC 61850-3 certified switch, designed and engineered for Smart Grid and electrical substation infrastructures, now includes IND-328x-H high-voltage versions.

The most frequently used voltage ranges used to power transmission & distribution substation automation equipment in North America is 72-125 VDC followed by 24-48 VDC. While the Transition Networks’ low-voltage versions of the Indura™ switch line are equipped for 18-57 VDC dual-input power, the new high-voltage versions of the switch are equipped for 125-300 VDC or 100-250 VAC input power to meet the demands of most substation deployments. The IND-328x-H meets the power input requirements for several of the components residing within the substation including, transformers, breakers, busses, switches, capacitor banks, Remote Terminal Units (RTUs), Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs), and communication systems, which are often designed for 125 VDC.

“The proliferation of active Telecom equipment in the substation for Smart Grid has caused vendors to adapt to conventional substation DC power systems and Transition Networks has done just that with the Indura™ switch line,” said Sev Sadura, General Manager at Transition Networks. “The innovative and feature-rich, intelligent Indura™ switch line better meets customer requirements in electrical substation and Smart Grid applications with the introduction of the high-voltage IND-328x-H.”

Product Features
The IND-3280 series of switches are among the first dual-stack IPv4/v6 Layer 2 industrial Ethernet switches with international substation IEC 61850-3 certification. The implementation of dual-stack IPv4/IPv6 in Layer 2 switches maintains efficiency and security while permitting communication with legacy IPv4 and emerging IPv6 network architectures.

This feature-rich, intelligent industrial network switch line also incorporates a complete Ethernet OAM (Operation, Administration, and Maintenance) suite that allows both Ethernet link fault and connectivity management that dramatically increases service availability and reduces network fault diagnosis and resolution times.

Smart Grid applications require the strategic ability to monitor and report the health of the network to ensure precise and accurate data throughput. Using standards-based Service Performance Monitoring (ITU-T Y.1731), the Indura™ provides precise performance monitoring statistics that include packet loss, throughput and packet delay measurements.

The product also fully supports the most advanced security features available such as: SSL, SSH, Multi-layer Access Control Lists (ACL), RADIUS TACACS+ and management VLANs to prevent unauthorized access.

The Indura™ IND-328x-x has an operating temperature of -40°C to 75°C. The fanless design of the Indura™ IND-328x-x increases the product’s reliability over the duration of its deployment.

Provisioning, management and monitoring of the Indura™ switch line can be performed from an intuitive built-in web-GUI interface, an integrated CLI (either via telnet or the console port), event trap-monitoring via SNMP v1, v2c or v3, or Transition Networks’ newly released Converge EMS™ element management system.

Product Availability
Visit Transition Networks at the DistribuTECH Conference & Expo at booth #1239 for a demonstration of the features of Indura™ IND-3280 switch line. Or contact Transition Networks at (800) 526-9267 or +1-952-941-7600 for pricing and more information on the Indura™ product line and accessories. Or please visit www.transition.com/Indura for the latest product information, including datasheets and manuals.

About Transition Networks Industrial Product Line
Transition Networks is unique among its peers in offering distribution partners and customers access to Ethernet access devices for both office and hardened environments. Transition Networks’ industrial media converters and switches are designed with multiple port configurations, redundant DC power inputs, Redundant Fiber Ring Technology, extended operating temps (-40°C to +75°C) and required industrial certifications. These devices are built to withstand the harshest environments and protected by the industry’s only hassle-free, lifetime warranty. The Indura™ product line is designed in the USA for our customers worldwide.

About Transition Networks Inc.
With over 25 years of growth and expertise in hardware manufacturing, Transition Networks offers the ability to affordably integrate the benefits of fiber optics into any data network – in any application – in any environment. Offering support for multiple protocols, any interface, and a multitude of hardware platforms, Transition’s portfolio gives the power to deliver and manage network traffic reliably over fiber. Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, Transition Networks distributes hardware-based connectivity solutions exclusively through a network of resellers in over 50 countries. 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 2013 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.