Laurel Networks Introduces New Ethernet Line Cards Optimized for Triple Play Service Delivery; New Cards Ratchet up Performance While Dropping Price Per Port to One Third.

PITTSBURGH -- Laurel Networks(R), Inc. today announced two new line cards that dramatically increase the Ethernet density - and decrease the per port cost - of the company's ST200(TM) broadband services router, putting it in a league of its own in terms of price and number of ports delivered. The enhanced Ethernet density brings the ST200 to a maximum 80 line rate gigabit Ethernet ports, allowing direct connectivity to Ethernet-based DSLAMs and fiber-to-the-home equipment. Competing platforms with a combination of subscriber management and routing typically offer half this throughput.

The new cards include an Ethernet-optimized network processing blade (NPB-E) that provides 10 gigabits-per-second wire-speed performance (not over-subscribed) and a new high-density 10-port gigabit Ethernet physical interface (PHY) card. The new hardware supports the subscriber management, quality of service and security features that carriers need to reliably deliver IPTV, video, voice, interactive gaming, and other "on demand" services to subscribers.

Combined, these new line cards offer the following features:

--Wire-speed multicast and unicast performance with all features enabled allows service providers to add features and services with no impact on performance.

--Guaranteed QoS (Quality of Service) with priority and weighted queue servicing enables any mixture of voice, video, and data traffic on a single port.

--Enhanced security prevents source IP and source MAC address spoofing and blocks unauthorized sources from the video domain.

--Seamless bandwidth expansion and link protection via the IEEE 802.3ad standard.

--Support for IEEE 802.1Q VLAN tagging as well as Q-in-Q (VLAN stacking) to facilitate more scalable Ethernet aggregation and enforce secure, dedicated connectivity to the subscriber.

"With the promise of new revenue streams, delivering video to the home brings dramatically higher bandwidth requirements. Since today's DSL networks were designed for web surfing, carriers who want to offer IP video services will need to significantly upgrade their access networks," said Steve Vogelsang, vice president of marketing for Laurel Networks.

The hot-swappable cards allow existing ST200 customers to easily upgrade and instantly convert Internet service-based routers into full-fledged IP video routers that can generate additional subscriber income. Both cards are in trials during 2Q, with general availability scheduled for 3Q 2005.

About Laurel Networks

Laurel Networks delivers routing technology that helps service providers transition from the standard Internet-only service delivery model into full-fledged triple-play networks. Designed for enhanced network scalability, Laurel's ST-series (TM) routers allow service providers to add advanced broadband applications, like video on demand or voice over IP, without incremental cost as the subscriber base grows.

Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Laurel operates sales and support facilities across the US, Europe and Asia. Its routers are deployed by some of the world's largest service providers including: Level 3 Communications, KT, Dacom, and Arsys. The company also maintains strategic partnerships with CIENA, a leading global provider of innovative network solutions, and with Marconi, a global telecommunications equipment, services and solutions company. For more information, visit www.laurelnetworks.com.

Laurel Networks and Laurel are registered trademarks and ST200, ST50, ST-series, IP Video Routing Solution, ShadeTree, Laurel Provisioning System and Leading Edge Routing are trademarks of Laurel Networks, Inc. All other trademarks, service marks, registered trademarks or registered service marks are the property of their respective owners.