Agilent Technologies Continues Leadership Drive in 2 Gb/s Fibre Channel With Volume Availability of New Fiber-Optic Transceiver.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 29, 2001

Hot-Pluggable Transceiver is Critical Component

in Complete 2 Gb/s Solution Set

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE:A) today announced the volume availability of its two-gigabit-per-second (2 Gb/s) small-form-pluggable (SFP) fiber-optic transceiver for Fibre Channel storage area networks (SANs). Agilent offers the industry's most complete solution set for 2 Gb/s Fibre Channel, including Tachyon Fibre Channel controllers, serializer/deserializer (SerDes) and port bypass ICs, and integrated host bus adapters.

The new transceiver is "hot-pluggable," meaning it can be inserted or removed from a board without removing power. This benefit is critical to SAN switch environments that cannot afford system downtime for online transaction processing applications. Agilent customers now have the ability to add fiber-optic ports, replace fiber-optic transceivers, and scale their systems when needed without interrupting network services. Additionally, this helps to reduce inventory costs by allowing units to be stocked without optical transceivers.

The Agilent HFBR-5720L SFP fiber-optic transceiver operates at 1 Gb/s and 2 Gb/s, providing backward compatibility with existing 1 Gb/s SANs.

"As 2 Gb/s Fibre Channel gains momentum, we are applying our expertise as the market leader in fiber-optic transceivers to the storage networking market," said Sharon Hall, worldwide marketing manager for Agilent's SAN Optics Business Unit. "This new product is a key component in our storage networking solutions portfolio. Agilent now offers its customers the industry's broadest range of interoperable 2 Gb/s Fibre Channel products and a single point of contact."

The HFBR-5720L offers size and interoperability advantages and meets Fibre Channel performance and reliability specifications. Superior electromagnetic emissions (EMI) performance aids customers in complying with Federal Communications Commission standards.

Designed for multimode applications up to 300 meters, the 3.3 V fiber-optic transceiver is compliant with the proposed specification for 2 Gb/s Fibre Channel and is also compatible with the existing 1 Gb/s standard. Target applications include Fibre Channel mass storage systems, switching systems and host bus adapters.

U.S. Pricing and Availability

The HFBR-5720L SFP fiber-optic transceiver is shipping now and is priced under $100 in low volume quantities. The HFBR-5720L will also be available as an option with Agilent's new host bus adapter cards HHBA-5218A (expected introduction planned for Q2 2001) and HHBA-5220A (expected introduction planned for Q3 2001).

Agilent will continue its fiber-optic transceiver development, including pin-through hole (PTH) solutions for host bus adapter card providers, and single mode 1300 nm laser solutions in both SFP and PTH packages, all planned to be available later this year.

Agilent Storage Networking Solutions

Agilent is a leading supplier of 1 and 2 Gb/s Fibre Channel solutions for the high-performance, enterprise-class SAN market. Agilent provides integrated HBA solutions as well as industry-leading Tachyon Fibre Channel protocol chips, fiber optics, high-speed serializer/deserializer (SerDes), and port bypass ICs. Additionally, Agilent is partnering with Adaptec to tailor Fibre Channel solutions for worldwide PC server OEMs and resellers. For more information visit www.agilent.com/view/storage.

About Agilent Technologies

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE:A) is a global technology leader in communications, electronics, life sciences and healthcare. With 48,000 employees serving customers in more than 120 countries, Agilent had net revenue of $10.8 billion in fiscal year 2000. Information about Agilent can be found on the Web at www.agilent.com.