NEXTHOP ACHIEVES OPSEC CERTIFICATION FROM CHECK POINT SOFTWARE
GateD Routing Software Interoperates with Industry's Most Recognized Security Framework

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. -- March 11, 2003 -- NextHop™ Technologies Inc., the definitive source for network routing software solutions, today announced announced that it has achieved OPSEC™ (Open Platform for Security) certification for GateD™ 10.0 routing software from Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ: CHKP), the worldwide leader in securing the Internet. Through OPSEC certification, GateD 10.0 routing software seamlessly interoperates with Check Point's market-leading VPN-1®/FireWall-1® Next Generation™ software solution, providing customers with a fully tested and interoperable routing and security platform.

NextHop GateD is the de facto standard for deployment of IPv4, IPv6 unicast and multicast networks which support all major protocols (OSPF, BGP, IS-IS, PIM, DVMRP, MSDP, MP-BGP, RIPng and IS-IS for IPv6). GateD 10.0 software is the first Internet protocol (IP) routing source code product with an eXtensible Mark-up Language (XML) routing application-programming interface (API). It is aimed at meeting the routing needs of network equipment manufacturers in multiple market segments, including the service provider core and edge, Asia-Pacific original equipment manufacturers/original designers and manufacturers (OEMs/ODMs) and security appliance markets among others.

"With the OPSEC certification of our GateD 10.0 software, we can provide enterprise and OEM customers with seamless interoperability," said Dennis Tsu, vice president of marketing and sales, NextHop Technologies. "Together, Check Point's market-leading Internet security solutions and NextHop's routing technologies enable our mutual customers to have the unique ability to simultaneously define and manage security and routing policies."

"We are pleased that NextHop GateD 10.0 has achieved OPSEC certification," said Upesh Patel, group manager, OPSEC Alliance for Check Point Software Technologies. "Seamless interoperation between NextHop routing software and Check Point VPN-1/FireWall-1 provides customers with dynamic routing capabilities from a single enforcement point, easing both management and configuration."

With NextHop's GateD solution offering customers dynamic routing capabilities, devices can obtain routing information and identify optimal traffic across the network. By running the multicast protocols on the server running the firewall application, a single data stream, for example, a stock ticker tape data feed, can pass through Check Point VPN-1/FireWall-1 and then be broadcasted simultaneously to multiple end-users.

About Check Point's OPSEC
OPSEC (Open Platform for Security) is the industry's open, multi-vendor security framework. With over 350 partners, OPSEC provides customers the broadest choice of best-of-breed integrated applications and deployment platforms that support Check Point's Secure Virtual Network Architecture. Products that carry the OPSEC Certified seal have been tested to ensure integration and interoperability. For complete OPSEC Alliance program information, including partner and product listings, the freely available OPSEC SDK (software development kit) and evaluation versions of OPSEC Certified products, visit http://www.opsec.com.

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.