Network Appliance Receives Microsoft Windows Media Certification; Network Appliance is the First and Only Caching Vendor to be Certified for Both Leading Internet Streaming Formats.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 12, 2001

Network Appliance, Inc. (Nasdaq:NTAP), the leading provider of network-attached data access and content delivery solutions, today announced it has passed the Microsoft(R) Windows Media(TM) Certification process which is designed to ensure that end users are provided with a seamlessly interoperable solution when using products designed for delivering Windows Media. NetApp(R) NetCache(R) C1100 and C1105 series products will now carry the distinction, "Designed for Windows Media."

Working in concert with the Microsoft Windows Media Services in Windows(R) 2000, the NetCache appliance delivers live and on-demand streaming media solutions throughout the networks of enterprises and service providers. The compatibility test includes verification that features such as live stream splitting, delivery of video-on-demand, and support for digital rights management, authentication, authorization, and logging will work flawlessly when a NetCache system is deployed in the global data fabric of an enterprise or service provider.

"By receiving Microsoft certification, the NetCache appliance has proven that it is interoperable with our complete family of Windows Media technologies, including our streaming server, protocols, and player," said Jonathan Usher, group product manager, Windows Digital Media Division, Microsoft Corp.

Rigorous testing took place over a two-month period, beginning in Network Appliance's state of the art interoperability testing labs. Final compatibility testing was carried out at a Microsoft authorized testing center. NetCache solutions are the leading multiprotocol caching devices on the market, providing fast, simple, and reliable support for HTTP, FTP, NNTP, and multiple streaming protocols on the same device at the same time.

This certification continues to demonstrate Network Appliance's investment in and commitment to the Microsoft Windows Media format and platform. "Streaming media is a critical means for our common customers to communicate timely and sensitive information throughout the enterprise," said Ray Villeneuve, vice president of strategic marketing at Network Appliance. "Corporations using streaming media require the same high level of performance and quality that they receive by using our core storage products. Obtaining certification from Microsoft gives our customers confidence that they are maximizing their investment in Windows with a Network Appliance(TM) solution."

About Network Appliance

Network Appliance, Inc., a leader in network data storage and content delivery, has been providing data access solutions since 1992, and is a member of both the S&P 500 and NASDAQ 100 index. Major corporations and service providers, including Citicorp Securities, Lockheed, Merrill Lynch, Oracle, Texas Instruments, and Yahoo! utilize NetApp global data management solutions.

The company pioneered the concept of the "network appliance," an extension of the industry trend toward dedicated, specialized products that perform a single function. NetApp storage and content delivery platforms (filers and NetCache appliances) are coupled with powerful content distribution and reporting software. This Center-to-Edge(TM) solution offers seamless data management from the back-end data center to the edge of the network quickly, simply, and reliably. The Network Appliance product portfolio utilizes the company's innovative data access software, known as the Data ONTAP(TM) operating system, as well as standards-compliant hardware. It also offers multiprotocol support and transparent integration for UNIX(R) and Windows.

Note to Editors: NetApp and NetCache are registered trademarks and Network Appliance, Center-to-Edge, and Data ONTAP are trademarks of Network Appliance, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks and Windows Media is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation. UNIX is a registered trademark of The Open Group. All other brands or products are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders and should be treated as such.