Cisco Systems and Data Storage Institute Sign Memorandum of Understanding to Advance IP-based Storage Networking.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SINGAPORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 19, 2004

Collaboration Will Include Training, Sharing of Technical Information

in the Area of Storage Technology, Conduct of Compatibility Testing 

and Establishment of DSI-Cisco IP Storage Center

Cisco Systems(R) (Nasdaq:CSCO) and A*Star's Data Storage Institute (DSI) have signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly promote IP (Internet Protocol)-based Storage Area Networking (SAN) in Singapore and across the Asia Pacific region. For DSI, working with Cisco(R), one of the innovators in IP SAN infrastructure dovetails with the Economic Development Board's vision of establishing Singapore as a hub for disaster recovery and business continuity. DSI aims to train about 600 IP storage networking engineers per annum in Singapore and the region. This will expand the pool of specialized IP storage networking engineers, a capability that is increasingly in demand worldwide, and enhance Singapore attractiveness as a hub with available trained manpower.

The MoU covers three broad areas -- training, sharing of technical information in the area of storage technology and compatibility testing -- all of which will be conducted in the newly set-up DSI-Cisco IP Storage Center. DSI will incorporate Cisco SAN product content into its industry workshops as well as conduct Cisco-focused training for Cisco's customers and partners in Singapore and the region. Cisco will share its latest SAN products and future innovations with DSI as well as cooperate in the institute's research activities in the SAN field. DSI will also test Cisco's SAN solutions for compatibility with other storage devices and technologies.

The SAN market represents one of the more exciting areas of development in technology today as customers demand more manageability, security and accessibility from their storage assets. The SAN switch market is approximately a US$1 billion market today, and growing rapidly. It is expected to grow to between US$2 billion and US$3 billion by 2007, according to market research firms.

"The DSI was established in 1992 to spearhead world-class research and development in next-generation data storage technologies. IP-based SANs represent the next-generation of storage. We are tremendously excited to be able to work with Cisco Systems, an early innovator in this field, as we work to build up our capabilities in IP SANs," said Dr. Chong Tow Chong, executive director of DSI.

"DSI is recognized as one of the leading storage research institutes in the world and we are honored to be able to work closely with them. Cisco is committed to providing our customers with the best storage networking solutions in the industry. Our collaboration with the DSI will enable us to push the innovation envelope to create larger storage networks that are faster, more reliable, and more secure, providing more scalability and efficiency for customers," said Mr. Idris Vasi, director for Cisco's Storage and Optical Solutions in Asia Pacific.

Cisco's storage networking solutions comprise the Cisco SN5400 Series Storage Routers and the Cisco MDS 9000 Family of Multilayer Directors and Fabric Switches. The Cisco MDS 9000 IP Storage Services Module was named the Best Networked Storage product in this year's Networld+Interop Show in Las Vegas.

About DSI

A national research institute under the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*Star), the Data Storage Institute is ranked among the top six information storage R&D centers worldwide. DSI achieves excellence in R&D with a dynamic research culture and collaborates closely with industry partners and universities in research and manpower development for the industry. Nurturing research talents and capabilities for world class R&D in next generation technologies, DSI builds its core competencies and focuses its research efforts on magnetic, optical and network storage technologies.

DSI's Network Storage Laboratory was set up in July 2002 and is fully equipped with enterprise-class storage systems, advanced storage management software and tools and facilities for testing, benchmarking tools, and hands-on training.

For more information, please visit http://www.dsi.a-star.edu.sg/.

About Cisco Systems

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

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