INS Releases ImageControl 3.0 for DOCSIS Firmware Management; Improves Firmware Status Checking and Automatic Updating.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 4, 2004

INS, a leading provider of IT infrastructure consulting services, IP network management software, and business solutions, announced today the general availability of release 3.0 of its ImageControl(TM) firmware management software for the cable industry. ImageControl is the industry's leading cable device firmware management software product, managing more than ten million cable subscriber devices.

ImageControl 3.0 features the new InstantUpdate, which provides an additional method for updating device firmware. This new capability supports firmware status checking with optional updating during the device provisioning process. It also allows a cable operator to initiate this process for new devices as they appear on the network, determine their firmware version, and automatically update the firmware image if it is not among the cable operator's authorized versions. ImageControl also adds several other features to help cable operators effectively inventory and update DOCSIS-based cable devices on customer premises.

"ImageControl 3.0 gives our customers yet another cost-saving method to manage their device firmware updates," said Michael Dooley, Vice President for Software at INS. "The feature enhancements in this release reflect the input we received from our customers with respect to task management, reporting, and more."

ImageControl provides a cable operator the ability to automate the discovery and classification of DOCSIS-based devices, including DOCSIS(R), EuroDOCSIS, PacketCable(TM), EuroPacketCable, and CableHome(TM) devices. ImageControl supports the import and staging of device firmware images on Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP) servers, and initiates the firmware update process for the selected regions, Cable Modem Termination Systems (CMTS), IP address ranges, device MAC addresses, or current device firmware versions on a scheduled or on-demand basis. ImageControl's innovative BrickBrake(TM) feature verifies successful firmware updates such that if a given percentage of updates are unsuccessful, ImageControl automatically terminates the update process should a given percentage of update attempts result in bricked devices. This key capability can contain the proliferation of a firmware update induced subscriber outage by halting the update process early enough to impact only a limited number of subscribers.

The INS ImageControl software is the market leading DOCSIS firmware management product serving more than 37% of production cable modems worldwide, and more than 55% in North America.

About INS

INS (International Network Services Inc.) provides IT infrastructure consulting services, software, and business solutions to help companies plan, build, secure, and manage business-critical networks. Our end-to-end consulting solutions address customers' needs in IT Strategy and Planning, IT Infrastructure, Operating Systems and Directory Services, Storage Systems and Services, Security, Network and Systems Management, and Project Management, helping them optimize their business to better face competitive challenges and meet future demands. The Diamond IP family of software from INS provides flexible and scalable solutions for today's complex IP networks. We are one of the world's largest independent network consulting and solutions providers with a track record of thousands of successful engagements. INS is headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif. and has offices across the U.S. and Europe. For additional information, please contact INS at 888-767-2788 in the U.S., 44 (0) 1628 503000 in Europe, or 408-330-2700 worldwide.

The knowledge behind the network(R).

The knowledge behind the network is a registered trademark of INS. ImageControl is a trademark of INS. All other corporate names or trademarks stated herein are the property of their respective companies.