Cisco Networking Services Enable New Class of Network-Aware Applications; Technology Ties Users, Applications to Enhanced Network Services.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 6, 1998--Cisco Systems, Inc. today announced Cisco Networking Services (CNS), an approach for helping developers build a new class of network-aware applications.

CNS will include a product strategy based on directory technology and partnering efforts with application developers.

Planned CNS product capabilities will allow developers to create powerful associations between applications, users and network services. Because of these close associations, individual users can receive customized network services, such as priority access or specially tailored information.

CNS is part of Cisco's broad strategy to more closely tie the performance of business applications to the services offered by a network. Another element in this strategy, the CiscoAssure Policy Networking initiative, helps networks become more application-aware. The CNS program helps applications become more network-aware.

Network-aware means an application can call upon various capabilities in the network, based on service policies defined by the network operator. For example, a CNS-enabled human-resources application could immediately notify the CNS directory of personnel changes, which in turn would trigger network-management applications to alter network services.

Directory services are key to network-aware applications, as the directory holds information about the users and resources available over the network.

As part of CNS, Cisco is teaming with key allies, such as KPMG Consulting, part of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, a leading professional services firm, to deliver a standards-based foundation for network-enabled business and management applications.

"KPMG Consulting is actively working with Cisco on business applications for new networking services technology. With CNS, we will now have a technology that allows us to create and deliver new business models predicated on profile-driven service and performance levels at a precisely defined price and cost," said Dominick Cavuoto, KPMG Consulting's partner in charge of Virtual Financial Services.

CNS builds on the Directory-Enabled Networks (DEN) specification, initiated by Cisco and Microsoft Corp., and now supported by several hundred vendors and customers. The DEN specification is slated for submission to the Desktop Management Task Force (DMTF) later this year. Using CNS, application developers will be able to apply a common directory-enabled network infrastructure, creating the opportunity to deliver personalized services to end-users.

Cisco will also be working with service providers, cable operators, enterprise customers and Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) to deliver networking solutions that build on the CNS technology and further promote the benefits of network-aware applications.

"This is an important step for the industry because it shows developers how they will be able to seamlessly access the power of the network from within business applications," said Charlie Giancarlo, Cisco's vice president of Global Alliances. "CNS will provide significant new opportunities for ISVs, enterprise developers and service providers to build and benefit from network-aware applications."

Cisco also announced today, Cisco Networking Services for Active Directory (CNS/AD), the product component of CNS. Building upon the strategic development relationship with Microsoft, CNS/AD provides a set of directory-based networking services that allow developers to network-enable applications such as human resource systems, network management or electronic commerce.

CNS/AD integrates knowledge of network services, policies and user profiles so applications can easily interact with Active Directory and access powerful Cisco IOS(R) software networking functionality.

During the past year, Cisco has gathered extensive enterprise and service provider input on a directory-based strategy that captures the flow of events as users and applications interact over a network. Based on this research, Cisco is developing CNS/AD, which enhances Active Directory with Cisco-specific schema, directory-based event services, associated interfaces and graphical user interface (GUI) controls and enhanced IP address management services.

CNS/AD, combined with the new dynamic data and replication services in Active Directory, goes well beyond traditional directory solutions that are used for managing relatively static data such as user name, password and file access rights.

Using the capabilities of CNS/AD, when a change in an application is propagated into the directory, this event can be used by a network management application for provisioning personalized network services. This new event-based approach allows CNS/AD developers to create powerful associations between disparate data from a number of applications.

"Customers are looking to simplify the management of network services and give users personalized networks," said Jim Allchin, senior vice president of personal and business systems group at Microsoft.

"Cisco Networking Services for Active Directory combines the strength of the Microsoft Windows NT(TM) Server Active Directory with network service integration, ultimately providing our mutual customers with better network capabilities and the ability to differentiate product and services."

Cisco-Specific Schema

Building on work from the DEN initiative, CNS/AD includes Cisco-specific schema and information model extensions, which allow developers to easily apply powerful Cisco IOS services through the directory via the Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) version 3.

For example, it gives policy management applications the ability to enforce a particular quality-of-service (QoS) across a variety of network devices. The Cisco schema and information model provides the foundation for creating these associations between users, network services and Cisco devices.

High-Speed Caching

As part of Cisco's contribution to the further development of Active Directory, Cisco and Microsoft are implementing services designed to store and replicate low-latency or dynamic data such as Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) leases or flow-rate information.

CNS/AD also includes a high-speed replication service for secure propagation of data to other directories or application systems. The benefit of this capability is that the directory can now manage and replicate dynamic networking service information.

Directory-Based Event Services

CNS/AD uses an event-based approach to associate data from a variety of applications. "The directory is a central repository of network, user and application information. CNS/AD's event services allow integrated systems such as provisioning, management and billing to capture the flow of information and respond to events as they occur," said Herb Madan, vice president and general manager of Cisco's Network and Services Management Business Unit.

CNS/AD Application Programming Interfaces

CNS/AD provides application developers with an extensive cross-platform suite of application programming interfaces (APIs) and user interface controls to enable developers to directly apply the wealth of advanced networking services found in Cisco IOS software.

Developers can leverage these services through Active Directory Service Interface (ADSI), C++ and Java-based APIs. Now business and network management applications can be easily network enabled. CiscoAssure Policy Networking, Netsys Service-Level Management Suite and other network management applications will leverage CNS/AD in future releases.

"HP OpenView fully supports the development of Cisco Networking Services as a way to move network-management applications into the future," said Olivier Helleboid, general manager of Hewlett-Packard Company's OpenView Software Division. "We continually enhance our OpenView products to meet customers' needs. CNS/AD represents an attractive leverage point for developers to help simplify their networks as we move forward."

Integrated DNS/DHCP

CNS/AD leverages the integrated DNS/DHCP services on NT and includes RFC-compliant DNS and DHCP services for UNIX. Through this integration, IP address management can directly leverage the power of the highly scalable and distributed services of Active Directory and provide user-to-network associations.

A key feature of the integration will enable the CNS/AD DHCP service to deliver IP addresses to authenticated users based on profile information stored within the directory. Cisco cable solutions will also immediately benefit from the authentication model and granular IP-based services.

Availability

Beta versions of CNS/AD will be available this fall, with general availability anticipated in early 1999. CNS/AD will first be available for Microsoft's Windows NT Server, followed by Sun Microsystems' Solaris 2.6 and HP's UX 11 operating systems, and will provide seamless directory integration of users and Cisco IOS software networking services in a heterogeneous environment. A CNS partner program for developers will be announced later this year.

About Cisco Systems

Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet. News and information are available at http://www.cisco.com. -0-

Note to Editors: Cisco, Cisco IOS, Cisco Systems and the Cisco Systems logo are registered trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc. in the United States and certain other countries. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners.

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