Cisco Systems Sets Guinness World Record with the World's Highest Capacity Internet Router.

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Ability to Download the Entire Printed Collection of the U. S. Library of Congress in 4.6 seconds

Cisco Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:CSCO) today announced that Guinness World Records has certified the Cisco Carrier Routing System (CRS-1) as the highest capacity Internet router ever developed at 92 terabits (92 trillion bits per second) of total throughput, designed to afford up to 100 times more capacity than previously available. The Cisco CRS-1 becomes the first networking technology to be recognized by Guinness World Records, which is the authority on record-breaking achievement around the world.

Cisco's CRS-1, announced in May 2004, is a new class of routing system designed for telecommunications service providers to deliver next-generation data, voice and video services over a converged Internet Protocol (IP) network. This system is ideally suited for large-scale, high-bandwidth applications such as video on demand, online gaming, and real-time interactive services. The IP router, introduced by Cisco in 1984, is the foundation of the public Internet and one of the most important technologies of the past 20 years.

"Cisco is proud to have Guinness World Records recognize the Cisco CRS-1 as the world's highest capacity Internet router," said Tony Bates, architect of the CRS-1 and vice-president and general manager of Cisco's Carrier Core and Multiservice business unit. "The technological advancement of the CRS-1 will provide the capability for Internet services and applications that have never before been available on such a large scale. Millions of people can now look forward to a new suite of exciting, multimedia services both at work and home."

Cisco's innovative and breakthrough routing system achieves the greatest level of speed and network capacity ever attained. The technological advancement of the CRS-1, for example, could make possible the delivery of high-bandwidth services and applications to entire nations. The CRS-1 with 92 terabits of bandwidth capacity, when augmented by adequate network and transmission capacity, would be capable of the following:

--Download the entire printed collection of the U. S. Library of Congress in 4.6 seconds, as opposed to a dial-up modem transfer rate of 56 thousand bps which would take 82 years

--1 billion people at the same time could play an online game, using real-time voice & chat

--Give 872Kbps broadband connection to every household in the United States (105,480,101 households)

--15 million people could watch quality video on demand simultaneously, which requires 6Mbps (6 million bits per second) per user

--The population of Phoenix, Ariz. (1.3 million) could download a 4 MB song instantaneously. With today's technology, only 9,200 people could download the same song at once

--Approximately 12,415 people could download a 7.4 GB movie in one second

--The entire global population (6.4 billion) could have a simultaneous phone call using Voice-over-IP technology

"As the world advances technologically, it is important that we recognize the innovations that will revolutionize global communications," said David Hawksett, science and technology editor at Guinness World Records. "As soon as we saw the numbers, we were delighted to create a brand new category to acknowledge Cisco Systems and this great achievement in networking technology."

The Cisco CRS-1 complements Cisco's existing portfolio of routers that support the world's largest carrier and enterprise networks. The new routing system is the result of Cisco's proven 20-year track record in routing innovations through focused research and development programs. The Cisco CRS-1 provides carriers with high-performance core routing capabilities, and rounds out Cisco's existing carrier-class routing portfolio, which is ideally suited to deliver cost effective and innovative IP services. For information about the Cisco CRS-1 Carrier Routing System and Cisco's routing strategy, visit: www.cisco.com/go/crs

Availability and Pricing

The Cisco CRS-1 is currently in field trials now with carriers and service providers worldwide and will be available in July 2004. The starting system list price is $450,000 USD.

Editor's Note:

Further press information on the CRS-1 including: in-depth, executive commentary; customer and partner information; videos; interviews with the technologists who developed the Cisco CRS-1; and downloadable, high-resolution product and event photos is available at: http://newsroom.cisco.com/presskit/crs/

About Guinness World Records:

First published in 1955, Guinness World Records(TM) has developed its annual book into an international phenomenon published in more than 100 countries and 20 languages. Guinness World Records has become a household name and the global leader in world records. No other enterprise collects, confirms, accredits and presents world record data with the same investment in comprehensiveness and authenticity. Guinness World Records is the universally recognized authority on record-breaking achievement. For more information, contact Kate White at [phone] or [e-mail].

About Cisco Systems

Cisco Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:CSCO), the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet, this year celebrates 20 years of commitment to technology innovation, industry leadership, and corporate social responsibility. Information on Cisco can be found at http://www.cisco.com. For ongoing news, please go to http://newsroom.cisco.com.

Cisco, Cisco Systems, the Cisco Systems logo, and Cisco IOS are registered trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc. in the U.S. and certain other countries. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners.