Bay Networks Extends Network Management Market Leadership with Optivity NMS 8.0; Introduces Collaborative Client/Server Network System Configuration Tool.

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 8, 1997--Bay Networks, Inc. (NYSE:BAY) today announced Optivity Network Management System (NMS) 8.0, a comprehensive and scaleable system for configuring complex networks. Optivity NMS introduces NETarchitect, Bay Networks' system-level management suite which automates the configuration of sophisticated ATM networks - reducing the possibility of errors associated with manual configuration and simplifying the network manager's job. The new solution offers customers enhanced remote access server management including support for the System 5000MSX model 5399 Remote Access Server (RAS). Today's announcements are a continuation of Bay Networks Adaptive Networking strategy to reduce network complexity while providing customers with more services.

"As a cornerstone technology of Bay Networks' Adaptive Networking strategy, network management is tasked with reducing complexity of network operations," said Clive Foreman, vice president and general manager of Bay Networks' Network Management Division. "By automating multi-device configuration, the NETarchitect application eases the network managers job by alleviating the need for repetitive manual entry. The application automatically compares configuration changes to a rules database to diminish the possibility of changes that will bring down the network. These features are part of the Adaptive Networking strategy to make network operations simpler and anxiety free."

NETarchitect simplifies management of large ATM networks by enabling network managers to configure multi-device switching systems as one entity, not a group of individual devices. Because updates are made at the system level, the application permits network managers to make rapid changes to network configuration while insuring consistency. Automation features such as drag and drop configuration eliminate time consuming manual tasks, providing a significant enhancement to network managers' productivity and reducing the possibility of errors. NETarchitect enables collaboration among support staff by servicing individual change requests independently without contention. Updates are made and verified against a rules database off-line before being rolled out to the network, maximizing network uptime.

"Intuitive and practical configuration tools are sorely needed to simplify the rapidly increasing complexity which is characteristic of today's network environments," said John Morency, director of the Network Industry Practice of the Registry, Inc. "NETarchitect achieves a major step in their delivery through its consistent management interface for both frame and cell based LAN management. As a result of this delivery, Bay Networks continues to effectively progress its 'worry free to managers proof point of Adaptive Networking."

About NETarchitect

NETarchitect management tools are designed to automate and simplify the task of configuring and maintaining large, enterprise networks. In the first release, NETarchitect provides support for Bay Networks switch and router product lines. NETarchitect is a distributed system based on a client/server architecture that supports multi-user access. The NETarchitect suite is comprised of three main applications: File Manager, Configuration Editor, and Security Editor.

The NETarchitect File Manager is used to upload and download configurations and images to a system of network devices. The File Manager maximizes the reliability of mission-critical networks by introducing revision control over configuration data and maintaining a history of configuration baselines. The File Manager automates the arduous task of configuration and image file management for network devices. Network managers apply changes to the network in an automated manner, whether providing new services or rolling back to a previous known state.

The NETarchitect Configuration Editor is used to create and modify network configurations. Network managers are presented with a system-wide view of the network configuration, allowing changes to be made simultaneously across multiple devices. Network configurations are abstracted to a common object-oriented data model, eliminating the need for network managers to have specific knowledge of varying technologies. Snapshots of the network configuration are loaded into the NETarchitect server, allowing changes to be performed off-line in the data model by multiple distributed clients. An extensive rules-based system verifies the integrity of changes before they may be applied to the network devices. Automation is used to eliminate manual, error prone tasks and insures consistency across common configuration parameters. Multiple network managers may simultaneously perform changes, either working together or independently, to service particular change requests. Changes are merged together on-demand by the system to provide a consistent view into the network configuration. The Configuration Editor simplifies the configuration process to the point where little training or ATM-specific knowledge is needed by the network manager.

The NETarchitect Security Editor controls user access to the NETarchitect system. Profiles are created for each network manager, allowing particular configuration functions to be enabled by user. In environments where network support is divided into defined responsibilities, such as Operations and Planning, the NETarchitect system can be tailored to enable control over the roles of each part of the support organization. The Security Editor brings management control back to the configuration process.

Optivity NMS 8.0 is the combination of the Optivity LAN and Optivity Internetwork modules of the Optivity Enterprise network management application suite. This release provides additional support for many new devices recently released by Bay Networks, including integrated support for the MLS 5525 Token Ring segment switch as well as support for the C50N, C50T and BayStack 302 workgroup switches. Extending the file handling capabilities for Bay Networks routers, first introduced in Internetwork 7.1, File Manager now adds support for managing the configuration information for Bay Networks Multi-LAN/ATM Switching product family.

About Optivity NMS 8.0 Remote Access

Optivity 8.0 Remote Access provides powerful new capabilities for remote access server management. Using the Optivity application's topology discovery process, Bay Remote Access Servers will be located on the network and displayed in a new RAS resource folder within the Enterprise Command Center, the central application launch facility for Optivity 8.0. This new RAS folder serves as the central point for managing and configuring Bay Networks' 5000MSX remote access chassis and the new 5399 RAS.

From this central point, existing device management tools such as ExpandedView and OmniView can be launched against the 5000MSX chassis. The intuitive command line interface provides rich statistics including connection information, transmission speeds and byte counts; error statistics and retransmission information; and line-level signal quality. The 5000MSX chassis or individual 5399 servers can be monitored by the Optivity Fault Correlator and the device status can be monitored within the Enterprise Health Advisor.

About Optivity

Bay Networks' Optivity product family provides the industry's leading solution for management of network devices, systems, and traffic. The applications provide visibility to the changing nature of the physical network as well as the dynamic usage patterns and the applications transiting these networks. As networks evolve and additional applications are deployed for delivering strategic business information -- for sizing pipes, accounting for usage, service level agreements and security, for example -- the value of the network manager's investment in this infrastructure increases. This solution provides the tools necessary to proactively deliver the network services and quality that users expect.

Pricing and Availability

The Optivity NMS 8.0 solution is currently shipping and can be purchased as a stand-alone application for $11,990.00 or as part of the Optivity Enterprise 8.0 network management suite priced at $17,995.00.

About Bay Networks

Bay Networks, Inc. (NYSE:BAY) is a leader in the worldwide networking market, providing a complete line of products that serve corporate enterprises, service providers and telecommunications carriers. The company offers frame and ATM switches, routers, shared media, remote and Internet access solutions, IP services and network management applications, all integrated by Bay Networks' Adaptive Networking strategy. With headquarters in Santa Clara, California, Bay Networks markets its products and services around the world, providing 7x24 support coverage. For additional information visit the company's World Wide Web site at http://www.baynetworks.com or call 800-8-BAYNET.

This release, other than historical financial information, may consist of forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements may differ materially from actual future events or results. For instance, factors which could cause results to differ from future events include the rate of adoption of new technology, competitive pricing actions and marketing programs, among others. Readers are referred to the documents filed by Bay Networks with the S.E.C., specifically the most recent reports on forms 10-K and 10-Q, which identify important risk factors which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. -0-

NOTE TO EDITORS: Bay Networks and Optivity are registered trademarks of Bay Networks, Inc. Enterprise Command Center, Enterprise Health Advisor, ExpandedView, NETarchitect, OmniView, and System 5000MSX are all trademarks of Bay Networks. Other brand and product names are registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective holders.

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