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Microsoft Deploys Foundry Networks NetIron MLX Routers At Enterprise Engineering Center(GlobeNewswire Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) SANTA CLARA, Calif., Oct. 14, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Foundry Networks(r), Inc. (Nasdaq:FDRY), a performance and total solutions leader for end-to-end switching and routing, today announced Microsoft's selection of Foundry(r) Networks' NetIron(r) MLX Series 10 gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) IPv4/IPv6 MPLS routers for its Enterprise Engineering Center (http://www.microsoft.com/EEC), a state-of-the-art proving ground for the world's most complex computing environments based in Redmond, Wash. The Microsoft EEC can replicate virtually any production environment for customers to gain a clear view of how Microsoft's pre-release products will perform in their home environments prior to installation. Microsoft's objective for the EEC was to deploy a network that provides internal and external customers access to resources located within the EEC and labs connected to its new 10 gigabit campus area network (CAN). The center's operators demanded a solution that would scale to meet escalating performance requirements, but would be flexible enough to allow staff to reconfigure the network regularly to meet customer needs. With this at top of mind, Microsoft selected Foundry's NetIron MLX-16 routers for its core and the NetIron MLX-4 routers in additional labs to allow for Virtual Private LAN Services (VPLS) across a 10 gigabit connection. Today, the EEC can create a VPLS instance for each customer offering customers improved traffic separation. With the new Foundry Networks solution installed, the EEC also implemented Q-in-Q in conjunction with VPLS to achieve a hierarchical design to meet its goals. "We needed a network infrastructure that would allow us to utilize the same network for multiple customers without compromising the security or performance of the network," said John Cressey, lead program manager for Microsoft's EEC. "However, we also wanted a solution that would let us better realize the potential for Microsoft products. Scalability and capacity were also critical criteria. Ultimately, we needed the ability to expand as EEC customer needs require." By leveraging Foundry routers, the EEC has the traffic separation, performance and future expansion capacity it needs with a standards-based solution, as well as improved utilization of the network. "Foundry provided a solution with the greatest value, from its ability to scale to getting the maximum out of our investment," concluded Cressey. "Today, we have a network capable of handling the cutting edge converged applications our customers use as well as a network that's easy to manage, delivers wire-speed performance and offers a rich feature set to provide the EEC with greater versatility." Built with Foundry's state-of-the-art, fifth-generation, network processor-based architecture and Terabit-scale switch fabrics, the Foundry NetIron MLX Series routers give the network a rich set of high-performance IPv4, IPv6, MPLS, and Multi-VRF capabilities as well as advanced Layer 2 switching capabilities. Designed to enable reliable converged infrastructures and support mission-critical applications, the NetIron MLX Series features an advanced N+1 redundant switch fabric architecture for very high availability. This architecture ensures that the system continues to operate at peak performance even in the case of a switch fabric card failure. The NetIron's 10 gigabit fiber ports terminate to racks hosting the servers, allowing staff to allocate resources per rack for each customer. "The Microsoft EEC is known worldwide as the networking test-bed for Microsoft's enterprise software solutions," said Benjamin Taft, Foundry's vice president of corporate marketing and alliances. "Microsoft's selection of Foundry's award-winning NetIron MLX Series routers for the EEC allows customers to ensure their network infrastructure interoperates with our routing platform and Microsoft's solutions." About Microsoft Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq:MSFT) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. About Foundry Networks Foundry Networks, Inc. (Nasdaq:FDRY) is a leading provider of high-performance enterprise and service provider switching, routing, security and Web traffic management solutions, including Layer 2/3 LAN switches, Layer 3 Backbone switches, Layer 4-7 application switches, wireless LAN and access points, metro and core routers. Foundry's customers include the world's premier ISPs, metro service providers, and enterprises, including e-commerce sites, universities, entertainment, health and wellness, government, financial and manufacturing companies. For more information about the company and its products, call 1.888.TURBOLAN or visit www.foundrynet.com. The Foundry Networks, Inc. logo is available at //www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=2756 Safe Harbor Statement The foregoing may contain "forward-looking statements" which are based on management's current information and beliefs as well as on a number of assumptions concerning future events made by management. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements by executives or spokespeople regarding Foundry's positioning and potential plans. The forward-looking statements in this press release are only predictions and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially. Foundry assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Furthermore, no statements made by Foundry Networks, Inc. ("Foundry") in this press release, or information contained herein, may be deemed to constitute either an amendment of an existing agreement or an implied new commitment, promise or legal obligation by Foundry to develop or deliver any specific product, feature or functionality. CONTACT: Foundry Networks Media Contact Pavel Radda 408.207.1332 [email protected] FD Foundry Investor Contact Brendan Lahiff 415.293.4425 [email protected] Copyright ? 2008 GlobeNewswire, Inc. |