ADVA Optical Networking Receives Brocade Fabric Aware Status.

Business Editors

MARTINSRIED/MUNICH, Germany & RAMSEY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 4, 2002

FSP 2000 demonstrates interoperability in heterogeneous,

end-to-end, Brocade-based storage area network environments

ADVA Optical Networking (German Neuer Markt: ADV), a leading global provider of optical networking solutions, today announced that the Fiber Service Platform ("FSP") 2000 has been verified by Brocade as interoperable with Brocade-based storage area networking ("SAN") infrastructure.

Testing was completed through the Brocade Fabric Aware Program, an end-to-end interoperability initiative for storage entry to enterprise networks. The program is a comprehensive testing and configuration initiative designed to foster end-to-end SAN interoperability in multi-vendor Brocade-based SAN environments.

Testing was conducted at the Brocade interoperability labs, which are state-of-the-art facilities supporting end-to-end interoperability and performance testing of SAN products in multi-vendor and large fabric SAN environments. The Brocade Fabric Aware Program has added more than forty members since its introduction in 2000. In addition, as part of its investment in SAN interoperability, Brocade actively supports its members' interoperability initiatives.

"The qualification of our FSP 2000 system and Brocade's new 2 Gigabit Fibre Channel SAN infrastructure guarantees our joint customers the highest level of assurance and technical support," stated Brian P. McCann, Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer at ADVA Optical Networking. "With storage traffic running over 50% of our installed base of nearly 30,000 Wavelength Division Multiplexing channels, this qualification effort helps us further expand our leadership position for storage networks in the metro area."

ADVA's FSP 2000 is a Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing ("DWDM") system specifically designed for enterprises and carriers. Enterprises install the FSP 2000 to expand the reach and density of their network applications, particularly storage network interconnection. Carriers deploy the FSP 2000 to provide services such as storage network interconnection. Due to parallel use of DWDM and Time Division Multiplexing ("TDM") technology, up to 256 applications can be transported over one single fiber pair. The hardware design enables the system to support protected or unprotected point-to-point, linear add/drop, and small ring network topologies.

"We are pleased that ADVA Optical Networking has successfully completed the Fabric Aware testing with Brocade fabric switches to help extend the distance and opportunity for metropolitan area SANs," said Jeffrey Brooks, Brocade Chief Marketing Officer. "Storage area networks are being deployed worldwide at a rapid rate as a scalable, high performance networking foundation for storage environments. The Fabric Aware program is an example of our continued commitment to delivering end-to-end interoperability to SAN customers."

About the Brocade Fabric Aware Program

The Brocade Fabric Aware program is a comprehensive testing and configuration initiative designed to foster end-to-end SAN interoperability. As part of the program, companies agree to test in SAN configurations that comprise a heterogeneous mix of servers, storage subsystems, Brocade fabric switches, SAN management and enterprise applications, and other SAN technologies. Brocade has created an interoperability lab comprising a heterogeneous SAN fabric, in which the company tests and validates partner equipment in specific configurations. Vendors receive Brocade Fabric Aware qualification after completing tests to confirm that vendors' products meet interoperability guidelines. For more information, visit www.brocade.com/partners/ fabric_aware_program.jhtml.

About ADVA Optical Networking

ADVA Optical Networking is a leading global provider of optical networking solutions for rapid and cost-effective provisioning of high-speed data, storage, voice, and video services in the metropolitan area. ADVA's carrier-class portfolio is comprised of the Fiber Service Platform family of products - explicitly designed to ensure the lowest total cost of ownership. ADVA's solutions have been deployed at over 60 carriers and service providers (including PTTs, RBOCs, LECs, and IXCs) and more than 500 enterprises worldwide. ADVA's products are sold through an international network of blue-chip distribution partners in addition to its own direct sales force. Further information about ADVA Optical Networking: www.advaoptical.com.

Published by: ADVA AG Optical Networking, Martinsried/Munich and Meiningen, Germany ADVA Optical Networking Inc., Ramsey/New Jersey, USA ADVA Optical Networking Corp., Tokyo, Japan www.advaoptical.com