Chiaro Networks Introduces Industry's First-Ever High-Availability IPv6 Software in a ''Hitless'' Upgrade to Its Enstara IP/MPLS Platform; Combination of Chiaro Technologies Enabled Upgrade to Next-Generation Software While In-Service.

RICHARDSON, Texas -- Chiaro Networks, developer of true infrastructure-class IP/MPLS routing platforms, today announced that it has introduced the industry's first-ever high-availability IPv6 software in a core router, in its Enstara(R) IP/MPLS router platform. Moreover, Chiaro achieved a "hitless" network software upgrade -- i.e., the upgrade took place without interruption to the router's capabilities while in service. The software upgrade was proven for all current Enstara customers in live networks, as well as several customers conducting lab trials.

"This groundbreaking hitless software upgrade to IPv6 is just the latest indication of the extreme, infrastructure-class high availability of the Enstara platform," said Carey Parker, vice president of marketing, of Chiaro Networks. "Since its introduction two years ago, the Enstara platform has represented a new level of high availability for IP/MPLS core routers, with capabilities backed up by patented technologies."

"In-service hardware and software upgrades are an important part of five-nines availability," said Mark Bieberich, Director, Communications Network Infrastructure, Yankee Group, referring to the "gold standard" reliability benchmark of 99.999 percent availability. "Hitless upgrade of router software represents a noteworthy accomplishment in the industry, and I expect that other router vendors lacking this feature will be forced to deliver it in the near future or risk losing business."

The new software introduced to the Enstara platform features the industry's first highly available IPv6 (Internet Protocol Version 6) software, with the first-ever implementation of BGP, ISIS and OSPF protocols of IPv6 in highly available software. The software allows the Enstara platform to continue maintaining IPv4, IPv6 and MPLS peering sessions while upgrading the entire system software. As with previous releases of the software, the Enstara platform continues to be the only router system that can be upgraded while still in service -- an essential factor in five-nines availability.

IPv6, often described as the next-generation Internet protocol, was designed as an evolutionary step from the current IPv4 protocol. A network layer standard from the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), IPv6 addresses the rapid growth of the Internet, removing IPv4's limits on network addresses and thus enabling enhanced use of IP services worldwide.

How Chiaro Achieved the Hitless Upgrade

Recently, Chiaro was assigned three patents by the U.S. Patent Office that together contribute to the Enstara platform's industry-leading high availability (HA) capabilities by improving router operation during network and equipment failures, as well as upgrades; minimizing the disruption to peer routers during faults; and minimizing the cost of providing protection resources to accomplish these improvements.

These patented technologies enable the Enstara router to overcome failures more completely and transparently to the IP network, as evidenced by the hitless software upgrade. These technologies form an important part of the Enstara router's STateful Assured Routing(R) (STAR(TM)) technology, which has a modular software design that allows for partial upgrades, updates and feature additions to software modules. Additionally, the Enstara hardware features a modular hardware design with no single point of failure; hardware upgrades include adding line cards, shelves and switch capacity.

To achieve hitless upgrades, the old and new software versions must be able to synch up with each other to protect protocol sessions and maintain their state during the upgrade. Because the Enstara platform has redundant master control processors (MCPs), one can be updated to a newer version of software. Once updated, the two MCPs then synchronize and protect all the peering sessions through STAR. At this point, the two MCPs are running two versions of software, and the system continues to operate in a protected mode. Then the new software is put into production and the backup MCP is updated. After the update, the MCPs synchronize to complete the software upgrade without any interruption to service.

Chiaro's technology protects all pertinent protocols, including BGP, ISIS, OSPF, RSVP and LDP.

About the Enstara Platform

The highly available Chiaro Enstara IP/MPLS router defines infrastructure-class with the ultra reliability, versatility and product longevity required to alleviate telecommunications carriers' "crisis of cost." Integrating a number of Chiaro technological breakthroughs -- and the result of applying expertise in the fields of networking, supercomputing, telecommunications and photonics -- the intelligent, carefully architected Enstara platform is the first to meld aspects of all these disciplines. As a result, it leads to no less than the transformation of IP/MPLS networks.

About Chiaro Networks

Chiaro Networks is the provider of the Enstara(R) router, the industry's first highly available infrastructure-class IP/MPLS platform. Chiaro has recently signed an exclusive worldwide distribution agreement for the Enstara platform with ECI Telecom (Nasdaq:ECIL), a global provider of advanced telecommunications solutions to leading carriers and service providers. With strong support from the venture capitalist and technology communities, Chiaro has secured funding from backers such as Intel Capital, Siemens Venture Capital, CenterPoint Ventures, InterWest Partners, Pitango Venture Capital, Rho Management, Sevin Rosen Funds and STAR Ventures. The company also boasts a Technology Advisory Board that comprises business leaders and academics from MIT and Stanford University. For more information on the company, visit www.chiaro.com.

Chiaro Networks and Enstara are registered trademarks of Chiaro Networks. Chiaro Networks disclaims any proprietary interest in the marks and names of others.