Foundry Networks Enhances Layer 3 Offering With BGP4 and VRRP Support.

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 12, 1998--

New 24-Port Version of Award-Winning NetIron Switching Router Now

Available

Committed to maintaining industry leadership in Layer 3 switching routing features, Foundry Networks(TM), Inc. today announced support for Border Gateway Router Protocol Version 4 (BGP4) and IETF RFC 2338 Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol (VRRP) across its entire line of stackable and chassis-based routing products. Foundry also announced availability of a 24-port version of the award-winning NetIron(TM) Switching Router.

"BGP4 and VRRP support sets Foundry Networks' products apart from other wire-speed routers. BGP4 coupled with Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) is ideal for larger enterprises and ISP backbones, while VRRP acts as an industry standard redundancy protocol complementing our existing redundancy protocol, Foundry Standby Router Protocol (FSRP)," said Bobby Johnson, CEO and President of Foundry Networks, Inc.

BGP4 allows optimal paths to a destination to be defined and chosen on a policy basis such as by IP address, autonomous system or community basis. By grouping traffic preferences on a larger basis, routes can be aggregated allowing one route to represent the characteristics of many within a network.

This compilation of traffic preferences results in significantly decreased bandwidth requirements within a network and therefore reduces overall transmission costs.

VRRP is an industry standard that enables a Foundry switching router to act as a backup to other routers in the network. In the event of a failure, the Foundry switching router will automatically perform the tasks of the failed router. This ensures that mission critical sessions are not lost and vital communication paths remain open.

"With support for BGP4 and VRRP, the introduction of the new 24-port NetIron could not come at better time. Foundry continues to deliver unbeatable price/performance, features and port density on all our wire-speed routers, including support for IP, IPX/RIP/SAP, OSPF, BGP4, Appletalk, VRRP, FSRP, IGMP, DVMRP and PIM protocols," added Johnson.

Pricing and Availability

BGP4 and VRRP support is available now free of charge on all Foundry switching routers. The 24-port NetIron Switching Router is available now for $ 9,995.

Foundry Networks, Inc. is a leading provider of Gigabit Ethernet switches, routers and server load balancers. The company manufactures, markets and distributes high performance switching and routing solutions for enterprises and ISPs. Foundry has won 11 prestigious corporate and product awards including: Network Magazine's Gigabit Ethernet Product of the Year, Business Communications Review's Best-in-Test, Best of LAN Times, Network Computing's Editor's Choice Awards and Flying Colors Award, Data Communications' Tester's Choice and Top 25 Hot Start-Ups, Computerworld's Top 100 Emerging Companies, Upside Magazine's 100 Honorable Mention and Network World's Top 75 Executives. Foundry products have also been tested by Mier Communications and The Tolly Group. For more information about the company and its products, call 1.888.TURBO.LAN or visit our web site at http://www.foundrynet.com.

Foundry Networks and NetIron are trademarks of Foundry Networks, Inc.