Airbus Industrie Selects Network Appliance Solutions for Data Security and Scalability.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 5, 2000

Leading Aircraft Manufacturer Looks to Innovative

Storage Company for Computing Needs

Network Appliance, Inc. (Nasdaq:NTAP), the leading provider of network-attached data access and content delivery solutions, has been selected by Airbus Industrie to provide innovative storage solutions.

Airbus has used Network Appliance(TM) filers over a two-year period for the vendor-independent standardization of disk storage in development and validation environments, and to provide multiplatform disc storage for data exchange between UNIX(R) and Windows NT(R) (in replacement of dedicated software). Airbus has decided to continue with Network Appliance technology to provide a common global solution for office information data storage, in pure CIFS mode. Airbus' current PC client data storage needs are currently about one terabyte and will likely double in 2001.

Airbus Industrie has been completely satisfied with the service provided by Network Appliance. The Network Appliance systems were easily and rapidly installed, and were fully operational in less than 15 minutes. The NetApp(R) storage solutions integrated seamlessly into both CIFS and NFS environments, and could be backed up completely in ten seconds with Network Appliance Snapshot(TM) software.

In terms of Airbus' data storage requirements, Network Appliance offered several advantages over other storage vendors: an exceptional price/performance ratio resulting from the use of an open architecture microkernel OS and the provision of specific software modules such as Snapshot; the ability to scale as storage needs grow; simplicity of installation thanks to a navigator-style administration interface; ease of maintenance and rapid recovery -- capable of re-booting in less than two minutes expansion; hot-swap capability; and great performance in both Windows NT and UNIX environments.

"Airbus Industrie is a major force in aviation, just as Network Appliance is a major force in storage networking and powerful, nimble database storage solutions," said Mark Santora, senior vice president of marketing at Network Appliance. "We are delighted to be part of the continuing Airbus success story, and are proud to power key elements of Airbus computing infrastructure providing significant productivity and availability enhancements."

Airbus Industrie was founded in 1970 and since then has steadily gained market share, rising to become one of only two manufacturers worldwide of commercial airliners seating more than 100 passengers. With a turnover of U.S. $16.7 billion in 1999, and the most modern airliner family in the world, Airbus has sold more than 4000 planes since its creation. Some 2500 Airbus aircraft are in service today with more than 180 different operators around the world. Based in Toulouse, France, Airbus employs around 40,000 people of over 30 different nationalities. Its shareholders are two leading European aerospace companies: The European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company (EADS) (80%) and BAE Systems of the United Kingdom (20%).

About Network Appliance

Network Appliance, Inc., a veteran in network file storage and content delivery, has been providing data access solutions since 1992, and is a member of both the S&P 500 and NASDAQ 100 index. Major corporations and service providers, including Lycos, Yahoo!, Citicorp Securities, Siemens, Lockheed, Cisco, Motorola, and Texas Instruments have deployed NetApp solutions.

The company pioneered the concept of the "network appliance," an extension of

the industry trend toward dedicated, specialized products that perform a single function. NetApp storage and content delivery platforms (filers and NetCache(TM) appliances) are coupled with powerful content distribution and reporting software. This end-to-end solution offers seamless data management from the back-end data center to the edge of the network quickly, simply, and reliably. The Network Appliance product portfolio utilizes the company's innovative data access software, known as the Data ONTAP(TM) operating system, as well as standards-compliant hardware. It also offers multiprotocol support and transparent integration for UNIX and Windows(R) environments.

Note to Editors: NetApp and the Network Appliance logo are registered trademarks and Network Appliance, NetCache, Snapshot, and Data ONTAP are trademarks of Network Appliance, Inc. Windows and Windows NT are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation, in the U.S. and other countries. UNIX is a registered trademark of X/Open Company Limited, in the U.S. and other countries. All other brands or products are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders and should be treated as such.