Altera Delivers Competitive Edge To BlueArc.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 28, 2001

Altera Corporation (Nasdaq:ALTR) today announced that Altera's system-on-a-programmable-chip (SOPC) solutions are integrated into BlueArc Corporation's SiliconServer architecture, delivering unprecedented levels of performance and reliability to the storage marketplace. The SiliconServer architecture is a revolutionary approach to storage technology that overcomes the limitations of traditional server architectures by implementing speed critical data-paths using programmable logic-accelerated hardware rather than software. BlueArc is currently shipping the first product based on the SiliconServer architecture, the Si7500 Storage Server, marking an important milestone in the evolution of products that achieve higher performance by accelerating mission-critical functions with programmable logic.

"Programmable logic is an enabling technology for the SiliconServer architecture," said Geoff Barrall, chief technology officer at BlueArc. "By providing BlueArc with a solution that has the performance and reliability of hardware and the flexibility of software, Altera's SOPC solutions allowed us to develop a product that far surpasses the capabilities of traditional servers. Additionally, they afforded us the traditional benefits of programmable logic usage, including development flexibility, rapid design cycles and fast time-to-market."

Barrall continued, "The in-field reprogrammability of Altera's programmable logic devices (PLDs) allows BlueArc to upgrade the Si7500 Storage System in the field as easily as delivering a software patch."

"One of the major rewards of being a programmable logic supplier is firsthand participation to truly innovative technologies such as BlueArc's SiliconServer architecture," said Alain Bismuth, vice president of vertical market strategy at Altera. "Si7500 Storage System is a unique offering for the storage market. Leveraging the power of programmable logic, BlueArc has achieved new levels of performance and flexibility, delivering the benefits of the Altera Advantage(TM) to end users."

About Altera

Altera Corporation, The Programmable Solutions Company(R), was founded in 1983 and is a leading supplier of programmable logic devices (PLDs). Altera's CMOS-based PLDs are user-programmable semiconductor chips that enhance flexibility and reduce time-to-market for companies in the communications, computer peripheral, and industrial markets. By using high performance devices, software development tools, and sophisticated intellectual property cores, system-on-a-programmable-chip (SOPC) solutions can be created with embedded processors, memory, and other complex logic together on a single PLD. Altera common stock is traded on The Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol ALTR. More information on Altera is available on the Internet at http://www.altera.com.

Note to Editors: Altera, The Programmable Solutions Company, the stylized Altera logo, specific device designations and all other words that are identified as trademarks and/or service marks are, unless noted otherwise, the trademarks and service marks of Altera Corporation in the U.S. and other countries. All other product or service names are the property of their respective holders.