Exhibit 99.1

    Avocent Reports Record Sales and Net Income for Fourth Quarter

    HUNTSVILLE, Ala.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 19, 2006--Avocent
Corporation (NASDAQ:AVCT) today reported record sales and net income
for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2005. Net sales for
the fourth quarter increased 6.8% to $106.8 million compared with
sales of $100.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2004.
    "Avocent set new records for sales through all distribution
channels in the fourth quarter," stated John R. Cooper, chairman and
chief executive officer of Avocent Corporation. "We also gained
traction in all major markets, including the U.S., Europe and Asia.
Our growth benefited from higher sales of newer products and
contributions from acquisitions made over the past two years. Revenues
from digital products and embedded technologies were especially strong
compared with last year.
    "Avocent's gross margin exceeded 60% for the first time and
benefited from a higher percentage of digital products and embedded
technologies. Our GAAP operating margin for the fourth quarter of 2005
was 24.3% due to the higher gross margin and lower research and
development expense. 2005 was the first year that digital products
accounted for more than half of Avocent's total revenues," continued
Mr. Cooper.
    Fourth quarter 2005 operational income, which is prior to
intangible amortization, tax on repatriated earnings, gain on sale of
property held for investment and merger-related expenses, was $24.6
million, or $0.49 per diluted share, compared with income prior to
intangible amortization, merger-related expenses, and equity
impairment charges of $20.6 million, or $0.40 per diluted share, in
the fourth quarter of 2004. (See "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures"
discussion below.) Net adjustments to reconcile to GAAP net income
were $5.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2005, including $2.5
million in intangible amortization and $3.8 million in tax on
repatriated earnings. During the fourth quarter of 2005, we
repatriated $90 million of earnings from our overseas subsidiaries
pursuant to the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004. Net adjustments to
reconcile to GAAP net income were $8.6 million in the fourth quarter
of 2004, including $6.6 million in intangible amortization and $3.4
million in impairment charges related to investments in two private
companies. In addition, the adjustments in 2004 included a related
$3.0 million tax benefit.
    GAAP net income for the fourth quarter of 2005 increased 57.9% to
$19.1 million, or $0.38 per diluted share. This compares with GAAP net
income of $12.1 million, or $0.23 per diluted share, in the fourth
quarter of 2004. Weighted average shares outstanding declined 3.3%
over the year to 49.8 million at the end of fiscal 2005 due to
Avocent's repurchase of shares under its previously announced stock
repurchase program.
    Branded sales increased 11.1% from the fourth quarter of 2004 and
accounted for 53.5% of total fourth quarter 2005 sales. OEM sales
increased 2.2% from the fourth quarter of 2004 and accounted for 46.5%
of total fourth quarter 2005 sales. U.S. sales increased 6.1% to $60.1
million and international sales rose 7.7% to $46.7 million compared
with the fourth quarter of 2004.
    Gross profit for the fourth quarter of 2005 increased 10.3% to
$65.1 million with a gross margin of 60.9%, a record for Avocent. This
compared with gross profit of $59.0 million and a gross margin of
59.0% in the fourth quarter of 2004. The increase in gross profit was
due to higher sales and improved product mix, including increased
sales of digital products, software and IPMI products.
    Research and development expenses increased 3.6% to $13.4 million,
or 12.5% of sales, compared with $12.9 million, or 12.9% of sales, in
the fourth quarter of 2004. "Our focus on R&D has been a primary
catalyst in expanding our digital product offerings. Avocent was the
first to market with a digital KVM product and we are the leader in
this fast growing segment. In addition, our margins have benefited due
to the increased percentage of digital products we sell and the
improved manufacturing efficiencies we have achieved through product
enhancement and redesigns," continued Mr. Cooper.
    Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 9.6% to
$23.3 million compared with $21.2 million in the fourth quarter of
2004. The increase in SG&A expenses was due primarily to higher
selling expenses related to the increase in sales and additional
marketing expenditures for recently introduced products.
    "We announced the reorganization of our operations during the
fourth quarter into five divisions based on key product segments and
markets within the company," continued Mr. Cooper. "We expect the new
divisions will facilitate our continued growth by enhancing customer
service, speeding delivery of products to market, and better focusing
Avocent's research, development and marketing expenditures."
    Avocent's balance sheet and cash position remained strong as of
December 31, 2005. The Company's cash flow from operations was
approximately $19 million for the fourth quarter of 2005 with
approximately $346 million in cash, cash equivalents and investments
at the quarter's end. Avocent had no long-term debt as of December 31,
2005.

    Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    Income prior to intangible amortization, tax on repatriated
earnings, gain on sale of property held for investment and
merger-related expenses, or operational income as used in the attached
financial statement schedules, is not a measure of financial
performance under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and
should not be considered a substitute for or superior to GAAP.
Avocent's management uses operational income as a financial measure to
evaluate performance and allocate resources within the Company.
Management believes this measure presents the Company's results on a
more comparable operational basis by excluding non-cash amortization
expenses, non-operational expenses associated with mergers and
acquisitions, taxes paid on repatriated earnings from overseas
subsidiaries, and significant and unusual non-recurring gains and
losses on sales or impairments of investments made by Avocent. Avocent
believes that operational income is a measure of performance used by
some investment banks, analysts, investors and others to make informed
investment decisions. Other companies may calculate operational income
in a different manner so this measure may not be comparable to similar
measures presented by other companies. A reconciliation of Avocent's
results using operational measures and GAAP is set forth in the
condensed consolidated statements of operations included in this press
release.

    Conference Call Information

    Avocent will provide an on-line, real-time Web-cast and
rebroadcast of its fourth quarter results conference call to be held
January 19, 2006. The live broadcast will be available on-line at
www.avocent.com as well as www.investorcalendar.com beginning at 10:00
a.m. central time. The on-line replay will follow immediately and
continue for 30 days.

    About Avocent Corporation

    Avocent Corporation is the leading supplier of connectivity
solutions for enterprise data centers, service providers and financial
institutions worldwide. Branded products include switching, extension,
intelligent platform management interface (IPMI), remote access and
video display solutions. Additional information is available at:
www.avocent.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains statements that are forward-looking
statements as defined within the Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995. These include statements regarding the development,
introduction, features, and benefits of new products and technologies,
the size and growth of the current and future markets for these
products and technologies (including our combined embedded KVM and
IPMI solutions), engineering and design activities, and expected
benefits resulting from our reorganization. These forward-looking
statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause
actual results to differ materially from the statements made,
including the risks associated with general economic conditions, risks
attributable to future product demand, sales, and expenses, risks
associated with reliance on a limited number of customers, component
suppliers, and single source components, risks associated with
acquisitions, risks associated with product design efforts and the
introduction of new products and technologies, and risks associated
with obtaining and protecting intellectual property rights. Other
factors that could cause operating and financial results to differ are
described in Avocent's annual report on Form 10-K filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on March 14, 2005. Other risks may
be detailed from time to time in reports to be filed with the SEC.
Avocent does not undertake any obligation to publicly update its
forward-looking statements based on events or circumstances after the
date hereof.



                         AVOCENT CORPORATION
           Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
          (Unaudited, in thousands, except per share data)

                                          For the Quarter Ended
                                            December 31, 2005
                                    Operational Adjustments   GAAP
                                                    (a)
                                    ----------- ----------- ---------

Net sales                             $106,837              $106,837
Cost of sales                           41,721                41,721
                                    ----------- ----------- ---------
  Gross profit                          65,116           -    65,116

Research and development expenses       13,123        $266    13,389
Selling, general and administrative
 expenses                               22,916         370    23,286
Amortization of intangible assets            -       2,533     2,533
                                    ----------- ----------- ---------
  Operating income                      29,077      (3,169)   25,908

Other income (expense), net              2,316         727     3,043
                                    ----------- ----------- ---------
Income before income taxes              31,393      (2,442)   28,951

Provision for income taxes               6,818       3,082     9,900
                                    ----------- ----------- ---------
Net income                             $24,575     $(5,524)  $19,051
                                    =========== =========== =========

Earnings per share:
  Basic                                  $0.50                 $0.39
  Diluted                                $0.49                 $0.38

Weighted average shares and common equivalents
 outstanding:
  Basic                                 48,917           -    48,917
  Diluted                               49,771          (8)   49,763


                                          For the Quarter Ended
                                            December 31, 2004
                                    Operational Adjustments   GAAP
                                                    (a)
                                    ----------- ----------- ---------

Net sales                             $100,049              $100,049
Cost of sales                           41,021                41,021
                                    ----------- ----------- ---------
  Gross profit                          59,028           -    59,028

Research and development expenses       12,248        $677    12,925
Selling, general and administrative
 expenses                               20,381         864    21,245
Amortization of intangible assets            -       6,623     6,623
                                    ----------- ----------- ---------
  Operating income                      26,399      (8,164)   18,235

Other income (expense), net              1,613      (3,464)   (1,851)
                                    ----------- ----------- ---------
Income before income taxes              28,012     (11,628)   16,384

Provision for income taxes               7,363      (3,046)    4,317
                                    ----------- ----------- ---------
Net income                             $20,649     $(8,582)  $12,067
                                    =========== =========== =========

Earnings per share:
  Basic                                  $0.41                 $0.24
  Diluted                                $0.40                 $0.23

Weighted average shares and common equivalents
 outstanding:
  Basic                                 49,874           -    49,874
  Diluted                               51,553         (78)   51,475



(a) Note: Adjustments relate to  amortization of deferred compensation
 (from the capitalization of the value of stock options assumed) and
 intangibles recorded as the result of the merger of Apex and Cybex,
 the acquisitions of Equinox, 2C, Soronti, Crystal Link, OSA and Sonic
 Mobility.  The adjustment to other income includes a gain on the sale
 of property held for investment in 2005; adjustments in 2004 include
 a write-down of investments in two privately held companies. The
 adjustment to the 2005 provision for taxes includes a one-time tax
 expense related to repatriated earnings from our foreign subsidiary
 pursuant to the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004.  The calculation
 of weighted average shares and common equivalents outstanding differs
 due to excluding the average unamortized deferred compensation
 expense in calculating the operational diluted shares outstanding.



                         AVOCENT CORPORATION
           Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
          (Unaudited, in thousands, except per share data)

                                          For the Year Ended
                                           December 31, 2005
                                    Operational Adjustments   GAAP
                                                    (a)
                                    ----------- ----------- ---------

Net sales                             $369,888              $369,888
Cost of sales                          151,043               151,043
                                    ----------- ----------- ---------
  Gross profit                         218,845           -   218,845

Research and development expenses       55,747      $1,138    56,885
Selling, general and administrative
 expenses                               88,861       1,493    90,354
Amortization of intangible assets            -      18,509    18,509
                                    ----------- ----------- ---------
  Operating income                      74,237     (21,140)   53,097

Income from settlement of lawsuit        5,000                 5,000
Other income (expense), net              8,307         682     8,989
                                    ----------- ----------- ---------
Income before income taxes              87,544     (20,458)   67,086

Provision for income taxes              21,743      (3,006)   18,737
                                    ----------- ----------- ---------
Net income                             $65,801    $(17,452)  $48,349
                                    =========== =========== =========

Earnings per share:
  Basic                                  $1.33                 $0.98
  Diluted                                $1.31                 $0.96

Weighted average shares and common equivalents
 outstanding:
  Basic                                 49,318           -    49,318
  Diluted                               50,287         (33)   50,254


                                           For the Year Ended
                                            December 31, 2004
                                    Operational Adjustments   GAAP
                                                    (a)
                                    ----------- ----------- ---------

Net sales                             $365,255              $365,255
Cost of sales                          152,210        $190   152,400
                                    ----------- ----------- ---------
  Gross profit                         213,045        (190)  212,855

Research and development expenses       42,898       2,455    45,353
Acquired in-process research and
 development expense                         -      29,260    29,260
Selling, general and administrative
 expenses                               81,171       3,652    84,823
Amortization of intangible assets                   24,279    24,279
                                    ----------- ----------- ---------
  Operating income                      88,976     (59,836)   29,140

Other income (expense), net              4,862      (3,510)    1,352
                                    ----------- ----------- ---------
Income before income taxes              93,838     (63,346)   30,492

Provision for income taxes              24,541     (12,089)   12,452
                                    ----------- ----------- ---------
Net income                             $69,297    $(51,257)  $18,040
                                    =========== =========== =========

Earnings per share:
  Basic                                  $1.42                 $0.37
  Diluted                                $1.37                 $0.36

Weighted average shares and common equivalents
 outstanding:
  Basic                                 48,964           -    48,964
  Diluted                               50,658        (128)   50,530


(a) Note: Adjustments relate to acquired in-process research and
 development expense from the Sonic Mobility, OSA and Crystal Link
 acquisitions and amortization of deferred compensation (from the
 capitalization of the value of stock options assumed) and intangibles
 recorded as the result of the merger of Apex and Cybex, the
 acquisitions of Equinox, 2C, Soronti, Crystal Link, OSA and Sonic
 Mobility.  The adjustment to other income includes a gain on the sale
 of property held for investment in 2005; adjustments in 2004 include
 a write-down of investments in two privately held companies. The
 adjustment to the 2005 provision for taxes includes a one-time tax
 expense related to repatriated earnings from our foreign subsidiary
 pursuant to the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004.  The calculation
 of weighted average shares and common equivalents outstanding differs
 due to excluding the average unamortized deferred compensation
 expense in calculating the operational diluted shares outstanding.



                         AVOCENT CORPORATION
                Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
                      (Unaudited, in thousands)

                                     December    December
                                     31, 2005    31, 2004
                                    ----------- -----------

Cash, cash equivalents
  and short-term investments          $293,903    $239,799
Accounts receivable, net                68,712      60,948
Inventories, net                        21,178      21,232
Other current assets                    10,524       5,923
Deferred income tax                      4,054       6,720
                                    ----------- -----------
  Total current assets                 398,371     334,622

Investments                             51,939      91,547
Property and equipment, net             36,801      39,896
Goodwill, net                          269,992     269,892
Intangible assets, net                  15,763      33,981
Other assets                               885         843
                                    ----------- -----------
  Total assets                        $773,751    $770,781
                                    =========== ===========


Accounts payable and other accrued
 expenses                              $23,569     $21,368
Income tax payable                      11,270       8,494
Other current liabilities               19,973      16,767
                                    ----------- -----------
  Total current liabilities             54,812      46,629

Non-current liabilities                  3,617      10,855

Total stockholders' equity             715,322     713,297

                                    ----------- -----------
  Total liabilities and
   stockholders' equity               $773,751    $770,781
                                    =========== ===========



    CONTACT: Avocent Corporation
             Edward H. Blankenship, 256-217-1301