Force10 Networks Awarded Patent for Advances in Circuit Board Fabrication That Reduce Total System Cost.

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Force10 Networks([R]), the pioneer in building and securing reliable networks, today announced it has been awarded a patent for its design innovations concerning circuit board fabrication for its high performance switch/routers. Designed to provide increased design efficiency, the advances protected by Force10's 24th and most recent patent are crucial to enable the delivery of a higher volume of boards that helps drive down the cost of the backplane of its TeraScale E-Series switch/routers.

"These back-plane fabrication innovations are critical to advancing our technology to ensure we're supporting the increased traffic throughput needs of our customers at the lowest total cost of ownership," said Joel Goergen, Force10 Networks Chief Scientist. "New and emerging applications are placing unprecedented demands on networks, while managers, more than ever, are tasked with building a cost-effective, resilient, and reliable infrastructure -- and this patent is an additional step in meeting both goals."

The TeraScale E-Series backplane, which delivers throughput of five Terabits per second, provides a crucial element to supporting seamless scalability without compromising performance. Additionally, the fully passive copper backplane of the TeraScale E-Series delivers inherent reliability, eliminating it as a point of failure in the system.

The patented fabrication method enables Force10 to use three ounces or more copper weight in a high speed, high layer count where there is both primary and secondary power, eliminating the need to utilize busbar technology or separate power boards to route the power. This patented capability facilitates the ability to build a single, lower-cost back plane solution for signals and power.

The Force10 Reliable Networking product portfolio supports advances in reliability, network control and scalability that enable enterprises to lower their total cost of ownership. By building a flexible network that is ready to support emerging and evolving applications, enterprises can optimize their networks for current needs as well as future requirements.

About Force10 Networks

Force10 Networks is the pioneer in building and securing reliable, high performance networks. With its no-compromise approach to networking and advances in high density Gigabit and 10 Gigabit Ethernet switching, routing and security, Force10 delivers the innovative technologies that allow customers to transform their networks into strategic assets at the lowest total cost of ownership. For additional information, please visit www.force10networks.com.

Force10 Networks and E-Series are registered trademarks, and C-Series, P-Series, S-Series, TeraScale and FTOS are trademarks of Force10 Networks, Inc. All other company names are trademarks of their respective holders.