Bivio Networks Breaks $50K Price Barrier With Gigabit Speed, Carrier Class, Multi-Service Router; The Bivio 1000-AX Redefines Industry's Price / Performance Benchmark.

Business Editors/Technology Writers

PLEASANTON, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 15, 2002

Bivio Networks(TM) responds to the industry's need for lower cost network infrastructure solutions by announcing the Bivio 1000-AX(TM) -- a Gigabit line rate, carrier class, multi-service router that supports routing, firewall, VPN and QoS for $45,000 (list US). Based on positive feedback from Bivio 1000-AX beta trial customers the Company has decided to proceed with general availability of the product.

"Enterprise, service provider and system integrator customers who are beta testing the system are very impressed with the value proposition we deliver," said Tom Gleason, vice president of sales for Bivio Networks. "Gigabit speed, carrier class and multiple services no longer imply a $200,000 plus price tag. An entire rack of single purpose appliances is no longer required to offer multiple services at gigabit speed."

Today, network service operators face significant financial challenges; while traffic and service demand continue to grow, network costs are scaling faster than revenue. Network complexity and network infrastructure costs are major factors contributing to the situation. Each contributes to an unhealthy financial model for enterprise and service provider networks. "By deploying Bivio's solution, CAPEX and OPEX are dramatically reduced while maintaining best-of-breed performance," Gleason added.

"Network operators need products that reduce complexity and allow profitable operations," said Neil Osipuk, directing analyst at Infonetics Research. "Many companies have tried to address this, but Bivio may be the first to consolidate best-of-breed functionality and deliver a simple and cost-effective way to deploy and manage IP network services."

Network operators are looking for innovative and economically practical solutions. Many are moving forward quickly to meet current financial and network complexity challenges.

"Customers are telling us that it's time for their networks to undergo a financial revolution. Today's broadband access and Internet data center networks require equipment that adapts to both performance and economic conditions. The Bivio 1000-AX will simplify the network infrastructure, reduce cost and increase performance for network services," said Nate Walker, director of marketing for Bivio Networks. "The combination of best-in-breed routing, firewall, VPN and QoS in a single appliance allows dramatic OPEX savings, estimated to be millions of dollars per year over several years for these environments. Long term, Bivio's open platform is ideal for adding new network service elements over time," Walker added.

Bivio 1000-AX Benefits and Features

The Bivio 1000-AX is an open network service platform delivering aggregated services at the price point of a single purpose network appliance. The system includes the AX software bundle and the Bivio 1000 hardware platform comprised of the eXpressLANE(TM) Packet Processor module, an Application Processor and modular network interfaces. System management is provided by the Bivio Operating System, BiviOS(TM), an open Linux based operating environment and management system that enables service virtualization and the opportunity to add future network service applications. The Bivio 1000-AX delivers a unique combination of price, performance and flexibility resulting in the following customer benefits:

-- Routing -- 2 Gigabit per second throughput with 1,000,000 concurrent
RIPv2/OSPF user connections, network address and port translation (NAT/NAPT)
and 175,000 BGP routes

-- Firewall -- 2 Gigabit per second throughput for access and stateful firewall


-- IPSec VPN -- 40,000 IPSec tunnels, 600 Mbps 3DES throughput, scalable to 2
Gbps with Virtual Rack(TM) technology

-- QoS -- 2 Gigabit per second for policing and shaping on a per-user and / or
per application basis, policing to 128kbps increments, shaping to 3Mbps
increments

Patent pending eXpressLANE(TM) technology accelerates packet processing and ensures that packet handling rules applied on all interfaces are processed and forwarded at gigabit line-rate, achieving performance increases many times that of traditional solutions.

The Bivio 1000-AX system simultaneously achieves the following performance benchmarks:

-- Routing -- 2 Gigabit per second throughput with 1,000,000 concurrent
RIPv2/OSPF user connections, network address and port translation (NAT/NAPT)
and 175,000 BGP routes

-- Firewall -- 2 Gigabit per second throughput for access and stateful firewall


-- IPSec VPN -- 40,000 IPSec tunnels, 600 Mbps 3DES throughput, scalable to 2
Gbps with Virtual Rack(TM) technology

-- QoS -- 2 Gigabit per second for policing and shaping on a per-user and / or
per application basis, policing to 128kbps increments, shaping to 3Mbps
increments

Pricing and Availability

The Bivio 1000-AX is comprised of the AX software (IPv4 routing, firewall, VPN, QoS) and system hardware including the multi-gigabit eXpressLANE(TM) Packet Processor module, the Application Processor module, power supply and modular network interfaces. The system is a 2 rack-unit device that minimizes initial capital outlay and comes preloaded with software, ready for immediate implementation. The list price for the system and software is $45,000. Bivio will begin accepting orders beginning June 17, 2002 with shipments commencing on July 15, 2002. Optional service and support packages are also available.

About Bivio Networks

Bivio Networks is a leading supplier of open network service platforms. Bivio has developed breakthrough products that reduce the capital and operational costs of IP infrastructure for enterprises and service providers by as much as two thirds. Headquartered in Pleasanton, California, Bivio Networks is backed by InterWest Partners, Storm Ventures and Venrock Associates. More information is available at www.bivio.net.

Note to Editors: Bivio Networks Inc., the Bivio Networks logo, Bivio 1000(TM), eXpressLANE(TM), Virtual Rack(TM), BiviOS(TM), Bivio 1000-AX(TM), and Bivio Networks(TM) are trademarks of Bivio Networks Inc.