Foundry Networks Powers Industry-Leading Metro and Service Provider Solutions With New JetCore-Based BigIron Layer 3 Switches.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 28, 2002

New JetCore-Based Modules For BigIron 4000, 8000 and 15000 Systems

Offer 10-Gigabit Ethernet, Leading Layer 2 Scalability For Metro

and Layer 3 Scalability For ISPs, Carrier-Class Redundancy,

Fine-Grain Bandwidth Management, and Wire-Speed Network

Monitoring and Traffic Accounting

Foundry Networks(R), Inc. (Nasdaq:FDRY), a performance and total solutions leader for end-to-end switching and routing, announced today new modules for its BigIron(R) Layer 3 switches. Based on the new JetCore(TM) ASIC chipset, the new BigIron modules offer superior port density, availability, serviceability, and scalability at an industry-leading price/performance. The JetCore ASICs were first introduced with the FastIron(R) 4802 fixed configuration Layer 3 switch in June, 2001. Since its introduction, Foundry's JetCore-based Layer 3 switch products have won China Computerworld's "Product of the Year" award for 2001, PC Magazine Editors' Choice award and propelled Foundry to the market share leadership position in the fixed configuration Layer 3 Ethernet switch category in North America, according to the latest market share reports from the Dell'Oro Group.

The BigIron Layer 3 modular systems, equipped with the new JetCore modules, offer an industry-leading Global Ethernet(TM) Metro solution that combines the simplicity of Ethernet, reliability of SONET, and the efficiency of optical systems with the power of IP to deliver cost-effective broadband connectivity to businesses and consumers.

"The next-generation Metro networks will be based on Gigabit and 10-Gigabit Ethernet technology to provide cost-effective broadband connectivity," said Dave Passmore, Research Director at Burton Group. "Foundry's new JetCore ASICs and 10-Gigabit Ethernet modules allows Metro service providers to build scalable metro networks and provision bandwidth on-demand."

The BigIron systems, equipped with JetCore modules, provide the following significant enhancements and benefits:

-- Unparalleled port density of up to 232 Gigabit Ethernet ports, 14 10-Gigabit
Ethernet ports, or 672 10/100 ports in a single modular system

-- Enable on-demand bandwidth provisioning with wire-speed, fine-grain
bandwidth control on all 10/100 and Gigabit interfaces based on port,
port-plus-priority, or Layer 4 Access Control Lists

-- Support for Jumbo frames to scale storage and server farm throughputs,
enabling high-performance remote backup and disaster recovery services

-- Deliver accurate and scalable network traffic accounting and billing
solution with sFlow(TM) technology based on RFC 3176 to provide service
providers with wire-speed network monitoring and traffic accounting, capacity
planning and security analysis

-- Advanced ASIC-based Layer 2/3 switching capabilities delivering superior MAC
and IP address scalability, and wire-speed policy-based routing

-- A complete suite of robust and highly scalable Layer 3 IP routing protocols
including BGP, OSPF, VRRP-E

-- IronShield(TM) security with wire-speed extended Access Control Lists,
Secure Shell, Secure Copy, authentication with AAA, RADIUS, and TACACS, and
substantial protection against Denial of Service attacks

-- Carrier-class reliability and availability with support for redundant
management modules with rapid failover, hot-swappable power supplies and
interface modules

-- Superior Quality of Service (QoS) and multicast capabilities to enable
deployment of converged networks and differentiated services

The BigIron 4000, 8000 and 15000 systems are 4-slot, 8-slot and 15-slot modular systems respectively that offer integrated redundant hot-swappable auto-sensing AC or DC power supplies, redundant management modules and hot-swappable interface modules. Each of the systems is built with a non-blocking architecture to provide aggregate switching capacity of 128 Gbps, 256 Gbps and 480 Gbps respectively. The new BigIron JetCore module family includes:

-- A single-slot 8-port Gigabit Ethernet mini-GBIC based

interface module

-- A single-slot 16-port Gigabit Ethernet mini-GBIC based

interface module

-- A single-slot 16-port Gigabit Ethernet over Copper

interface module

-- A single-slot 1-port 10-Gigabit Ethernet interface module

-- A dual-slot 48-port 10/100 Ethernet RJ-45 based interface

module

-- A single-slot 48-port 10/100 Ethernet RJ-21 Telco based

interface module

-- A single-slot 8-port Gigabit Ethernet mini-GBIC based

management module

Powerful Global Ethernet Solution For Metro Service Providers

With the JetCore powered BigIron systems and Foundry's robust IronWare(TM) operating system, Metro service providers can build highly scalable and cost-effective Layer 2 and Layer 3 Metro networks to offer high-performance Transparent LAN Services (TLS) and Internet services to enterprise customers. Metro service providers will be able to harness the power of network performance into competitive business advantages by offering profitable high-speed value-added services. With the JetCore ASIC-based sFlow technology (RFC 3176), Foundry's BigIron systems provide accurate, scalable, wire-speed network traffic accounting and billing capabilities, paving the way for profitable service offerings.

"A new approach to network accounting and monitoring is essential to creating profitable service offerings," said Michael Kennedy, Managing Partner at Network Strategy Partners. "Foundry's new JetCore ASICs with built-in sFlow support solves this critical network accounting challenge."

Foundry's Global Ethernet solution allows Metro service providers to scale Layer 2 Metro networks by providing a complete set of Layer 2 features including SuperSpan, Rapid STP based on IEEE Standard 802.1w, Per VLAN Group Spanning Tree (PVGST) based on IEEE Standard 802.1s and Super VLAN Aggregation. These Metro features enable dramatic improvements in Metro network scalability, reliability and manageability.

Industry-Leading Solutions For Internet Data Centers

The BigIron systems, equipped with JetCore modules, are ideal choices for Internet data centers because of their leading port density, price, superior serviceability, high availability, robust security and advanced Layer 2/3 feature sets. With wire-speed, granular rate limiting, service providers can meter bandwidth utilization and provide wire-speed traffic accounting for accurate end-user billing with BigIron's ASIC-based sFlow technology (RFC 3176). The BigIron 4000, 8000 and 15000 systems provide an array of purpose-built advanced Layer 2 and Layer 3 features, including a robust, feature-rich and highly scalable BGP implementation. With Foundry's standards-based 10-Gigabit Ethernet modules, service providers can immediately scale the data center backbone and server farm performance with 10-Gigabit Ethernet links. Foundry's extra long distance 1550nm 10-Gigabit Ethernet optics allows high-performance connectivity between Internet data centers for up to 40 kilometers.

"With the new JetCore modules for BigIron systems, we have significantly enhanced the power of our Global Ethernet solution for Metro service providers," said Bobby Johnson, president and CEO of Foundry Networks. "The BigIron systems, based on the JetCore chipset, are the most powerful Layer 3 switches in the industry with unparalleled price/performance leadership," continued Johnson.

Purpose-Built Features For Metro and Internet Service Providers

Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol Based on IEEE 802.1w Standard

Foundry's IEEE 802.1w Standard based Rapid STP implementation

provides rapid Spanning Tree convergence by pre-calculating an

alternate path. Because of this alternate path

pre-calculation, Foundry's switches will instantly recognize

and recover from a link failure, dramatically improving the

availability of Layer 2 Metro networks.

SuperSpan(TM) For Metro Network Scalability and Manageability

SuperSpan is a unique innovation from Foundry that allows

Metro service providers to build very large Layer 2 Metro

Ethernet networks while simplifying manageability and network

operations. Metro service providers can organize the Metro

Ethernet network into smaller, faster-converging,

easy-to-manage standards-based STP domains. SuperSpan

interconnects the domains while isolating the effects of link

state changes. The smaller and simpler STP domains are easier

to configure, operate and maintain, hence allowing the Metro

network to scale. Foundry's SuperSpan allows each STP domain

to have any network topology such as ring, star or mesh, while

localizing and containing any failures within a single STP

domain. This allows rapid convergence within each STP domain

while the other STP domains in the Metro network remain

unaffected.

Per VLAN Group Spanning Tree (PVGST) based on IEEE 802.1s Standard

Foundry's Global Ethernet solution allows thousands of VLANs

in a Metro Ethernet network to be organized into 2 to 16 VLAN

groups and permits a single Rapid STP instance for each group.

This allows Metro service providers to run a small number of

Rapid STP instances while servicing 4,096 VLANs, providing

dramatic improvements in network complexity and scalability.

Since each Rapid STP instance utilizes a different set of

links, network traffic will be distributed among all the

available links, optimizing fiber utilization in a Metro

network where dark fiber is a precious resource.

Super VLAN Aggregation

Foundry's Super VLAN Aggregation capability allows Metro

service providers to offer VPN services to a large number of

customers. Super VLAN Aggregation provides each customer with

the ability to define its own secure VLANs while eliminating

any VLAN identification conflicts among customers within a

Metro network. Super VLAN Aggregation allows Metro service

providers to identify traffic from each customer enabling

differentiated services.

Link Aggregation Based On IEEE 802.3ad

Using link aggregation based on the IEEE 802.3ad standard,

Metro service providers can easily scale bandwidth by

aggregating up to eight Gigabit links between any two Ethernet

switches while taking advantage of sub-second failover in case

of individual link failure. Foundry's link aggregation feature

set includes support for cross-module trunk groups that allows

service providers to tolerate line card failures while

providing bandwidth scalability. Using Foundry's proven IEEE

802.3ad implementation, Metro service providers can now

combine the power of link aggregation with all the above Layer

2 features such as SuperSpan and Rapid STP to build high

bandwidth, scalable and reliable Layer 2 Metro networks.

Robust Layer 3 Protocol Support

Foundry's BigIron systems, powered by the IronWare operating

system, offer robust and highly scalable Policy Based Routing,

OSPF, and BGP implementations that are deployed by some of the

leading service providers in the world.

Ultra-High Availability

With support for redundant management modules, redundant and

hot-swappable power supplies, hot-swappable interface modules,

and integrated temperature sensors, Foundry's JetCore-based

BigIron systems are highly reliable and robust network

platform for service provider networks. Foundry's IEEE 802.1w

Standard-based Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP), IEEE

802.3ad Standard-based Link Aggregation and the Cross-Module

Trunk Group capabilities deliver high network availability

with link protection, sub-second network convergence and

dramatically reduce MTTR.

IronShield Security

The BigIron product family provides extensive security

features including Secure Shell and Secure Copy to guard the

administration and management interfaces. Foundry's

comprehensive ACL features enforce access policies to control

packet forwarding and restrict system management interface

access, while permitting wire-speed switching and routing.

Built-in support for sFlow in the JetCore ASICs allows service

providers to monitor network usage and detect any Denial of

Service (DoS) attacks.

Comprehensive Network Management

All BigIron products come with comprehensive network

management options that include a Command Line Interface,

Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) based device

management, and a Web-based Graphical User Interface. Using

Foundry's new IronView Network Manager, all Foundry products

can be configured and managed from a central location.

Delivery and Pricing

Foundry's BigIron 4000, 8000 and 15000 systems and all new JetCore modules will be generally available in March 2002. The 10-Gigabit Ethernet interface modules are available immediately.

      U.S List Prices

      Base Chassis:

        BigIron 4000 with 1 power supply: $3,995
        BigIron 8000 with 1 power supply: $7,995
        BigIron 15000 with 2 power supplies: $11,995

      Management Modules:

          8 port Gigabit Management Module: $11,995

      Interface Modules:

        48-port RJ-45 Module: $8,995
        48-port RJ-21 Module: $10,495
        16-port Gigabit fiber interface module: $15,995
        16-port Gigabit copper interface module: $12,995

      10-Gigabit Ethernet Interface Modules:

        with 850nm optics: $49,495
        (ranges up to 300 meters)
        with 1310nm serial optics: $59,995
        (ranges up to 10 kilometers)
        with 1550nm serial optics: $84,995
        (ranges up to 40 kilometers)

About Foundry Networks

Foundry Networks, Inc. (Nasdaq:FDRY) is a performance and total solutions leader for end-to-end switching and routing including Internet routers, Layer 2/3 LAN switches, and Layer 4-7 Internet traffic and content delivery switches. Foundry's 3,800 customers include the world's premier ISPs and enterprises, portals, search engines, e-commerce sites, universities, entertainment, pharmaceutical, government, financial, and manufacturing companies. Some of these customers include: AOL (NYSE:AOL), EarthLink, AT&T WorldNet, MSN, Verio, Cable & Wireless (NYSE:CWP), Yahoo! (Nasdaq:YHOO), Incyte Genomics, Inc. (Nasdaq:INCY), The University of Washington, University of Miami, U.S. Army, Air Force and Navy, NASA and NIH. For more information about the company and its products, call 1.888.TURBO.LAN or visit www.foundrynetworks.com.

This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and is subject to the safe harbor created by this section. These forward looking statements include statements regarding planned products or product features (Products) that are under development, such as the FastIron. While Foundry is planning for the commercial availability of such Products, they are still under development and subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, which could delay the planned availability. Actual results may differ materially due to these and other factors. The matters discussed in this press release also involve risks and uncertainties described from time to time in Foundry's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In particular, see the Risk Factors described in Foundry's final Prospectus dated September 27, 1999 for its initial public offering as well as its most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and Annual Report on Form 10-K. Foundry assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking information contained in this press release.

Note to Editors: Foundry Networks, BigIron, FastIron, JetCore, IronShield, IronWare and IronCore are trademarks or registered trademarks of Foundry Networks, Inc. in United States and other countries.

sFlow is a trademark of InMon Corporation.

All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.