SAN JOSE, Calif., August 30, 2004 - Cisco Systems®, Inc., today announced that the Ohio Academic Resources Network (OARnet), an Ohio-based academic research and government service provider, has deployed Cisco optical equipment and routers to support Ohio's academic research and experimental network.

The network focuses on advancing broadband technologies and leading-edge educational applications.

"The deployment is a far-reaching opportunity that enables research possibilities, collaboration on advanced infrastructure deployment, and experimentation," said Dr. Stan Ahalt, OSC executive director. "We are pleased that this unique relationship offers OARnet opportunities for our research institutions, as well as yielding tangible benefits to the users of the Third Frontier Network (TFN)." TFN is an initiative driven by Ohio's educational institutions to tie into OARnet's advanced network to deliver digital content and high-speed Internet access to K-12 and higher education institutions.

"Teaming with Cisco Systems® will help us to realize the potential of the TFN by encouraging collaborative projects between institutions, and to share resources statewide," added Ahalt.

Multiservice Transport Platform

OARnet chose both the Cisco ONS 15454 Multiservice Transport Platform (MSTP) and the Cisco 12000 Series routers for the OSC deployment. The Cisco ONS 15454 MSTP will help enable OARnet to transmit data across the state using more than 1600 miles of optical fiber. This fiber provides the most cost-effective and scalable solution to meet the long-term networking needs of higher education and research applications, which often require unique and adaptable capabilities.

By using the intelligent DWDM technology that is integrated in the Cisco ONS 15454 MSTP, OARnet will be able to increase its network capacity as needed over time, without having to acquire additional fiber.

End-to-End IP Routing

The Cisco 12000 Series routers will help enable OARnet to aggregate existing services onto the optical fiber network, providing increased resiliency and additional services at higher speeds than was previously possible. Cisco Systems' solutions provide OARnet with an end-to-end IP routing and multiservice optical network.

The networking infrastructure, combined with Cisco Systems' proven technical expertise and customer support will effectively support telemedicine, research collaboration, remote instrumentation, and high-performance computing applications for OARnet's end users.

Cisco Academic Research and Technology Initiatives

"We are very excited about the opportunities made available to Ohio's higher education and research communities, and we look forward to engaging our university colleagues in these endeavors," said Bob Aiken, director of Cisco Systems Academic Research and Technology Initiatives. "We anticipate that this relationship will provide significant opportunities for Ohio, and look forward to continued developments in the coming years."

About OSC and OARnet

The Ohio Supercomputer Center (OSC) is Ohio's high performance computing and networking center. Established in 1987 by the Ohio Board of Regents, the Center provides scientific computing, networking, educational outreach, economic development, and information technology resources to state and national high performance computing and networking groups. For more information, go to www.osc.edu.

OARnet, the networking division of OSC, is a regional Internet Service Provider connecting more than 90 college and universities throughout the state of Ohio. OARnet continually investigates and implements the latest in advanced technologies in order to serve and support the information architecture of its member schools. For more information go to www.oar.net.