NextHop’s GateD Enterprise 2.0 Off-The-Shelf Software Transforms Servers Into Secure, Reliable Routing Platforms

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. -- June 17, 2003 -- Aimed at meeting the complex routing needs of Fortune 500 companies, financial services and other enterprises who require secure networking environments, NextHop Technologies® Inc., the definitive source for network routing software solutions, today released details of its new line of GateD® Enterprise 2.0 routing software packages.

Now enterprises can quickly and easily convert their Linux and Solaris servers into secure, reliable routing platforms. NextHop’s ready-to-install software packages transform these boxes into routers communicating with the other routers in the network. Because GateD Enterprise 2.0 software seamlessly interoperates with Check Point's market-leading VPN-1®/FireWall-1® Next GenerationTMsoftware solution, these new routers can determine the optimal path for IP (Internet protocol) data, routing through the network and avoiding bottlenecks such as network link congestion or hardware failures.

This packaged version of GateD software runs as an application that enables IT (information technology) managers to save data center and/or wiring closet real estate space, reduce management overhead and cost, and improve security.

“This exciting new offering demonstrates our commitment to leading the industry by listening to customers. GateD Enterprise 2.0 provides enterprises with the most current routing specifications and features from the most trusted and tested network routing source and it gives our existing GateD users fully supported, easy upgrades,” says Ed Cluss, president and chief executive officer, NextHop Technologies.

About GateD Enterprise 2.0
NextHop offers GateD Enterprise 2.0 to users in four shrink-wrapped versions with enterprise end-user documentation. Each version of the industry leading routing software supports the Linux 2.4 (Red Hat 8.0) and Solaris 8 and 9 operating systems. All versions will include a basic support package, easy installment via a Solaris Package Manager or a Linux Release Package Manager (RPM); OPSEC™ (Open Platform for Security) certification from Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.; and two management interfaces: a CLI (command line interface) or XML (eXtensible Mark-up Language) Routing API (application-programming interface) that enables enterprises to quickly and easily build customized command line or web interfaces providing users with a readily accessible script interface.

GateD Enterprise 2.0 Packages:
1. With RIP (Routing Information Protocol)
2. With RIP and OSPF (Open Shortest Path First)
3. With RIP, OSPF and BGP (Border Gateway Protocol)
4. With RIP, OSPF, BGP and all the multicast protocols, DVMRP (Distance Vector Multicast Routing Protocol), PIM-SM (Protocol Independent Multicast-Sparse Mode), and PIM-DM (PIM-Dense Mode)

In a separate announcement today, NextHop released details of its new NextHop GateD Partner Program (NGPP) that will handle distribution and first level support for GateD Enterprise 2.0.

Pricing and Availability
Available in mid-August 2003, GateD Enterprise 2.0 routing software packages will be sold through distribution channels. The first two of these distributors are Icon Labs (www.icon-labs.com) and The Root Group (www.rootgroup.com). The channel will set pricing with anticipated selling prices in the $600 to $4000+ range depending on the protocols/package selected.

About NextHop Technologies
NextHop Technologies® Inc. is the definitive source for network routing software solutions. NextHop's flagship product, GateD®, the de facto standard, is the most widely used vendor-neutral routing software in the world. NextHop partners with its customers and the industry to empower innovation in networking with safe and reliable products that reduce time to market by minimizing development, testing and support costs. Founded in 2000 and funded by New Enterprise Associates, Labrador Ventures and Parker Price Venture Capital, NextHop is based in Mountain View, Calif. Visit NextHop on the Web at www.nexthop.com. For more information, visit:

www.nexthop.com
www.parkerpricevc.com



CONTACT US    |    © PPVC 2001. All rights reserved.