Allot Communications Brings Order to "Network Chaos" by Enabling Companies to Set Priorities for Network Traffic.

CAMPBELL, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 17, 1997--

Allot Serves Up Application-Level, Policy-Based Management 

To Create "Commuter Lanes" For Mission Critical Traffic

A new type of network tool, which takes aim at balancing the varied goals of network users by enabling network managers to set traffic priorities based on application type and thus allowing them to create "commuter lanes" for high priority traffic, has been announced by Allot Communications, Inc.

In a typical network environment, resources are granted without any regard for an application's importance to the corporate objective. Mission Critical database traffic is viewed no differently than users looking up stock quotes or sports scores. As a corporate network becomes congested, every user experiences inconsistent, unpredictable delays. Rather than throw additional bandwidth at the problem, Allot Communications has a better idea.

The Allot Communications AC200 and AC300 systems, which begin shipping to customers in January 1998, are integrated hardware and software solutions that deliver precise shaping of bandwidth and server resources based on four variables: existing system-wide network traffic patterns, application characteristics, server performance and user requirements.

The AC200 and AC300 systems allow the network manager to define policies and allocate network resources according to the needs of the corporation.

According to Yigal Jacoby, President and CEO of Allot Communications, "By integrating bandwidth shaping, load balancing and application monitoring functions into a single box, we are able to look at the complete picture regarding the source of network delays. With Allot, network managers are in control of balancing corporate goals as traffic transitions from high speed LANs to lower speed WANs."

How the Allot System Works

The AC200 and AC300 products analyze incoming requests and apply user-defined policies that are applicable to that request. It takes into account the state of the entire system in order to determine the appropriate policy and action. The end result is that lower priority applications will be slowed down in order to deliver more bandwidth to those with higher priority.

Allot delivers a complete system solution for managing and controlling network and server resources. High-level concepts, defined using easy to understand policies, are automatically translated to physical control of network bandwidth and server resources.

Virtual Channels, based on criteria such as IP addresses, TCP ports or URLs, are used to define end-to-end traffic characteristics. Virtual channels can also be defined in terms of specific applications such as WEB file and content types.

AC200 Regulates Traffic Flow Between Corporate Clients and the Internet

Allot's AC200 is used to control the flow of traffic from internal client sites to the Internet or wide area network. As traffic increases, the AC200 will regulate bandwidth according to user defined policies that allow users to manage traffic flow as broadly or narrowly as needed.

The AC200 contains two 10/100 Ethernet connections. One attaches to the internal backbone network and the other attaches to the Internet or wide-area router. Priced at $7000 (U.S. list), the AC200 will begin shipping in January 1998.

AC300 Extends Bandwidth Policies to Server Resources

Allot's AC300 contains three network interfaces that control and balance traffic from internal and remote users to corporate servers. The AC300 goes beyond traditional load-balancing equipment by allowing users to define policies that control both the allocation of network bandwidth and the distribution of clients to server resources.

The AC300 contains three 10/100 Ethernet connections. One connects the internal backbone, the second accesses the Internet or wide-area router and the third attaches to the server farm. The AC300 is priced at $13,000 (U.S. list), and will begin shipping in January 1998.

Allot Communications will debut its products at the Internet World trade show, Dec. 10-12, 1997, in New York City, booth No. 4163.

About Allot Communications

Allot Communications develops, manufactures and markets products that maximize the efficiency of network and server resources. In an era of increasing network chaos and bandwidth-hungry applications, there is a need for products that handle network traffic according to its importance to corporate goals.

Rather than simply continuing to increase network bandwidth, Allot's products provide a more structured, policy-based approach to ensuring the quality and availability of network services, resources and applications.

Allot Communications was founded in 1996 by a group of network professionals with experience from a wide range of networking companies including Bay Networks, ARMON and Madge. Through advanced technology, Allot is delivering solutions to the problem of network performance through traffic shaping, server balancing and integrated management.

Allot Communications has offices in Tel Aviv, Israel and Campbell, Calif. The company sells and markets its products worldwide through OEM, distributors and direct channels.

CONTACT: Allot Communications

Tim Riley, 408/377-5114