SAN JOSE, Calif., January 16, 2001 - Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO) and Sun Microsystems, Inc. (NASDAQ: SUNW) today announced that Sun will be the first outside vendor selected to join the Cisco Networking Academy Program. Sun will provide the "Fundamentals of UNIX," a UNIX operating system content module, which will be integrated into the existing Cisco Networking Academy curriculum.

The new "Fundamentals of UNIX" module will be available beginning September 2001 in the United States and in selected international locations. The new module will offer Cisco Networking Academy students the option to specialize in UNIX training in preparation for higher education or jobs in the Internet Economy. Hands-on UNIX exercises will be taught using the Solaris Operating Environment.

"This alliance demonstrates the commitment of both Cisco and Sun to partner with Education to support learning in the public sector," said Kevin Warner, senior director of worldwide education at Cisco. "Employers are hungry for IT-skilled workers and Cisco is committed to building upon the Networking Academy program to arm students with the critical IT skills necessary to remain competitive in the work place," he continued.

The Cisco Networking Academy Program employs an e-learning model, using a combination of web-based, instructor-led learning and hands-on exercises to teach students how to design, build and maintain computer networks. The UNIX module will teach students the more in-depth fundamentals of UNIX. More than 5,900 Networking Academies exist in all 50 U.S. states and in 99 countries around the world.

"Cisco is a strong leader in e-learning for government, education and business communities," said Kim Jones, vice president, global education & research, of Sun Microsystems. "This strategic partnership supports and implements the recommendations of the Congressional Web-based Education Commission and we are pleased to participate," she continued.

Cisco Networking Academies are established in high schools, colleges, military bases, workforce retraining centers, juvenile detention centers and homeless shelters, and taught in nine different languages. "Cisco and Sun want to bring digital opportunities to all people, regardless of socioeconomic status, geographic location, gender or diversity," said Warner.

The Networking Academy program is three-tiered. Cisco Academy Training Centers train instructors at Regional Academies, which in turn recruit, train and support up to ten Local Academies, where students attend classes.

Fifteen Cisco Academy Training Centers in the U.S. will begin UNIX instructor training in April 2001. Content will be available to Local Academies in June 2001 and classroom instruction of the UNIX module in English will begin in September 2001 in the U.S. As the curriculum is translated into various languages, it will be expanded to international locations in the following months.