SAN JOSE, Calif., January 31, 2000 - Cisco Systems, Inc., the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet, today unveiled the next level of its IP+Optical strategy with the introduction of two new service provider platforms. As part of the announcement, Cisco outlined its approach for advancing the integration of Internet Protocol (IP) and optical networking solutions to help service providers in three key areas: rising to meet unprecedented bandwidth demands, introducing even more profitable IP services, and streamlining provisioning and management of transport and data networks.

Q&A: Kevin Kennedy, senior vice president of Cisco's Service Provider Business Unit, regarding IP+Optical News Releases: Cisco Introduces Next Level of IP+Optical Strategy - January 31, 2001 Cisco Supercharges Metropolitan Optical Transport by Extending High Bandwidth Services to the Network Edge - January 31, 2001 Cisco Delivers Industry's Highest Performance Internet Routers - January 31, 2001 Brochure: IP+Optical Datasheets: Cisco ONS 15327 Optical Edge Transport Platform Cisco 12416 Internet Router Cisco 12410 Internet Router Whitepaper: Cisco Introduces an IP-Based Optical Control Plane-IP-OCP Photo: 12400 Series Photos (12416, 12410)

With the introductions of the Cisco 12400 series Internet routers and the Cisco ONS 15327 metro edge optical transport platform, Cisco continues to lead the industry in providing the highest speed interfaces, most flexible platforms, and cutting-edge IP+Optical integration available to service providers. Together, the Cisco 12400 Internet routers and the Cisco ONS 15327 enable service providers to create a next-generation infrastructure for the delivery of profitable services today and into the future. [See separate press releases issued today: "Cisco Delivers Industry's Highest Performance Internet Routers" and "Cisco Supercharges Metropolitan Optical Transport by Extending High Bandwidth Services to the Network Edge."

In addition to the new product introductions, Cisco outlined its continued IP+Optical strategy in four key areas:
7 Further optical integration on Cisco's market-leading IP routers and other network equipment;
7 Continued integration of IP technology in the Cisco ONS 15000 series optical networking portfolio;
7 Integrated network management across the IP and Optical network layers; and
7 An IP-based optical control plane based on industry standard protocols.

The flagship Cisco 12000 Internet routers are based on a unique distributed architecture that delivers the IP+Optical networking foundation and service building blocks to accelerate the evolution of the Internet. The 10-slot Cisco 12410 and 16-slot Cisco 12416 both support the new single port OC-192c/STM-64c Packet over SONET/SDH (POS) line card and 4-port OC-48c/STM-16c POS line card. The Cisco 12400 series delivers the highest levels of scalability and performance available today and are the only systems capable of guaranteeing high priority packet delivery, which is absolutely necessary to meet customers' increasing need for extraordinary network reliability. This makes the Cisco 12400 series the premier platform for building true 10Gbps OC-192/STM-64 IP+Optical infrastructures optimized to keep up with the unprecedented growth of bandwidth demand in the marketplace and deliver the next generation of profitable IP services.

The Cisco ONS 15327 extends the supercharged optical transport value proposition of the ONS 15454 to the metro edge of optical transport networks. The ONS 15327 is the industry's first multi-service optical transport platformoptimized for the metro edge. By integrating SONET/SDH-based time division multiplexing (TDM) and IP networking at OC-48 speeds in a tiny yet extremely versatile footprint, the system extends the service providers optical reach and unlocks expanded revenue opportunities in a fraction of the time and at a fraction of the cost of existing solutions.

"Cisco is using its extensive networking expertise to integrate IP and optical technologies. Our IP+Optical strategy draws on the dynamism of the Internet world and the foundation of the optical world to create an infrastructure that delivers the opportunities service providers need to grow their networks and their profits," said Kevin J. Kennedy, senior vice president of Cisco's Service Provider Line of Business. "The unique perspective we gain from delivering all of the elements for next generation IP+Optical networks enables Cisco to deliver complete end-to-end solutions based on best-of-breed products to our customers."

The Cisco 12000 series Internet router family commands market share of more than 74 percent in the core routing market according to Synergy Research Inc. and Cahners In-stat. The Cisco ONS 15327 complements the market leading, metro area Cisco ONS 15454 platform, which provides tightly integrated TDM and data transport capabilities and has shipped to more than 500 customers worldwide, comprising a $1B+ annual revenue stream.

About Cisco IP+Optical Solutions
Cisco is the first company to deliver scalable IP+Optical networking solutions for today's Internet-driven marketplace. Cisco's IP+Optical strategy builds on Cisco's leadership in IP routing, Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS), optical networking technology and content/services intelligence. Cisco is uniquely positioned to enable service providers to reduce operational costs and increase service velocity, empowering them to deploy a new generation of highly competitive New World services.