Agilent Technologies Expands Firehunter Network Service to Enable End-to-end Monitoring and Proactive Management of VPNs and ISP Networks.

Business Editors/High Tech Writers

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 30, 2000

Service Providers Can Measure User Experience from Customer Sites,

and Offer Exacting Service-Level Agreements at a Premium Price

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE:A) today introduces Firehunter's expanded network-service capability, which enables Internet Service Providers to offer their network customers, at a premium price, precise and verifiable service-level agreements (SLAs). These customer-specific agreements will attract the growing number of companies entrusting business-critical services to the Internet.

ISPs can now use Firehunter to measure and manage the performance of entire networks, from customer sites through network backbones to customers or applications. Utilizing Cisco SA Agent technology, Firehunter can make measurements from Cisco routers at customer sites, which allows service providers to monitor customer experience without installing additional servers or probes.

Agilent developed the expanded solution working with ISPs to model their networks and to incorporate the measurements required to detect, isolate and solve a variety of problems. The new network-service capabilities simplify network analysis by graphically correlating data that enables ISPs to continuously evaluate key performance indicators, verify service levels, identify potential bottlenecks, and generate graphical reports on SLA compliance. As an extra service, ISPs can provide customers access to Firehunter reports. Customers can also purchase Firehunter for independent confirmation of network performance.

This new version of Firehunter is a comprehensive solution, with a suite of tests for the main components of end-to-end network operation: the backbone, a mesh of internal connections that carry transmissions between POPs ("points of presence" for input and output), and the "last mile" of connectivity between POPs and network customers. From the customer's sites, Firehunter can verify virtual private network (VPN) connectivity and performance or, using Cisco's jitter test, monitor the quality of their Voice-over-IP (VoIP) service. Any of these measurements can define an SLA that protects and benefits both parties to the agreement.

"Before Firehunter, SLAs were vague and difficult to enforce," said Tom White, vice president and general manager of Agilent's Communications Solutions Group. "ISPs can now offer precise and verifiable guarantees that customers will gladly pay for to help ensure that critical Internet business is not disrupted. Firehunter can significantly benefit ISPs and their customers, and ultimately enhance the efficiency of the Internet itself."

The new Firehunter network services will debut at SuperComm 2000 in the SunTone Partner Pavilion, June 6 to 8, Atlanta Convention Center and at CommunicAsia 2000 in Singapore, Hall 6, Booth 6E2-01. For technical information, visit www.firehunter.com.

About Agilent Technologies

Agilent Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: A) is a diversified technology company, resulting from Hewlett-Packard Company's plan to strategically realign itself into two fully independent companies. With approximately 43,000 employees serving customers in more than 120 countries, Agilent Technologies is a global leader in designing and manufacturing test, measurement and monitoring instruments, systems and solutions, and semiconductor and optical components. The company serves markets that include communications, electronics, life sciences and healthcare. In fiscal year 1999, the businesses comprising Agilent, then a subsidiary of HP, had net revenue of more than $8.3 billion.

Information about Agilent Technologies can be found on the Web at www.agilent.com.

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