Brix Networks Announces Interoperability with ADVA Optical Networking's Etherjack Demarcation Devices for Carrier Ethernet Deployments.

- Integration Of Brix Service Assurance Technology With ADVA Optical Networking's Ethernet Demarcation Solution Enables Mobile Backhaul Service Providers To Efficiently Verify Service Quality

CHELMSFORD, Mass. -- Brix Networks, a global provider of open and extensible converged service assurance solutions, and ADVA Optical Networking (FSE: ADV) today announced they have successfully completed interoperability between Brix Networks' BrixNGN[TM] Carrier Ethernet service assurance technology and ADVA Optical Networking's Etherjack[R] demarcation technology that enables providers of mobile backhaul services to verify their quality of service (QoS).

The Brix-ADVA Optical Networking combination provides network operators with a highly scalable and efficient way to continuously collect, correlate, analyze, and visualize critical QoS and quality of experience (QoE) data from Carrier Ethernet environments for capacity planning and service turn-up verification, 24x7 continuous service monitoring, and on-demand troubleshooting to identify, diagnose, and quickly resolve network and service issues before customers are impacted -- thereby guaranteeing performance and quality.

"We are living in an increasingly connected and competitive world. To fully support this reality, wireless service providers are feeling the heat to quickly expand their network backhaul capacity by deploying Ethernet. Throwing more T1 circuits at the problem is no longer cost effective," said Michael Howard, principal analyst at Infonetics Research. "Exploding high-speed data traffic to-and-from mobile devices is causing bottlenecks across the wireless network, and more traffic means more compromised quality of service unless the right technology is in place. To drive higher ARPU and lower churn, wireless carriers will need solutions that can handle today's video streams, but still deliver the highest quality of service possible."

In a related matter, the companies also announced that Brix has joined ADVA Optical Networking's Etherjack Alliance Program, which includes leading industry suppliers in a variety of technology areas that all work with ADVA Optical Networking to simplify and speed the deployment of intelligent Ethernet services that can be remotely provisioned, monitored, and tested.

"To effectively guarantee end-to-end service level agreements and meet customers' requirements in mobile backhaul and metro-Ethernet environments, providers must implement a service assurance solution across their next-generation networks with visibility throughout their Layer 2 services," noted Charlie Baker, director, product management, at Brix Networks. "Without this necessary visibility, providers are at risk for crippling service degradations and outages, which lead directly to escalations in customer care costs, SLA violations, eroding profit margins, and increased customer churn."

"The complementary nature of the ADVA Etherjack edge-based devices and the core-based BrixNGN solution, combined with the latest IEEE 802.1ag and ITU Y.1731 standards, takes end-to-end SLA monitoring to a new level," said Fred Ellefson, vice president, global marketing, at ADVA Optical Networking. "These new standards and the interoperability they enable are a critical element for the rollout of intelligent Ethernet services for mobile backhaul networks."

ADVA Optical Networking's Etherjack devices have been recognized as the global market leader in Ethernet access devices (EADs). The company's products are being deployed into Tier 1 carrier networks around the world, including BT's 21st Century Network (21CN).

About ADVA Optical Networking

ADVA Optical Networking (FSE: ADV) is at the forefront of providing Optical+Ethernet solutions that advance next-generation networks for data, storage, voice, and video services. The company's innovative Fiber Service Platform (FSP) and strong customer focus provide carriers and enterprises the ability to scale their networks and deliver intelligent, competitive new services. ADVA Optical Networking's solutions have been deployed at more than 200 carriers and 10,000 enterprises around the world. For further information about ADVA Optical Networking : www.advaoptical.com.

About Brix Networks

Brix Networks is a global provider of open and extensible converged service assurance solutions that allow the world's largest service providers and enterprises to offer reliable and high-quality experiences in voice, video, data, and mobile services to their customers, partners, and employees. The Chelmsford, Mass., U.S.A.-based company brings a proven heritage of IP expertise unique to the service assurance marketplace, and collaborates closely with its customers and partners to assure the delivery of any IP-based service, over any network, to any endpoint. For more information, visit www.brixnet.com, or call 978-367-5600/1-888-BRIXNET.

Pending Acquisition

On April 2, 2008, EXFO Electro-Optical Engineering Inc. (NASDAQ: EXFO; TSX: EXF) announced it had signed an agreement to acquire all the shares of Brix Networks. This transaction is expected to close later this quarter at which time Brix will be renamed EXFO Service Assurance Inc. and be part of EXFO's Telecom Division. The acquisition has been approved by the board of directors of both companies, but is subject to various closing conditions.

Brix Networks, Brix, Brixnet, Service Quality Matters, BrixNGN, and the Brix Networks logo are trademarks of Brix Networks, Inc.

Etherjack is a registered trademark of ADVA Optical Networking.