Enterasys Introduces the Matrix C2

ANDOVER, MA -- September 14, 2004 -- Enterasys Networks® (NYSE: ETS), the Secure Networks Company™, today announced another industry milestone, the Matrix™ C2 Series, which includes the first triple-speed 10/100/1000 stackable switching platform with Power over Ethernet (PoE). The Matrix C2 Series represents the industry’s most powerful edge solutions and extends Enterasys’ industry-leading Secure Networks portfolio.

The Matrix C2 Series provides the highest levels of network security and information protection at the point where users and devices connect to the network, making it the ideal choice for business-critical networked applications. The edge is a critical battleground for ensuring network integrity and information security. With partners, customers and employees connecting through an ever-expanding universe of devices—including wireless devices, laptops, IP phones and server farms—the task of ensuring trust and enabling appropriate use is daunting.

“Network security has become critically important to us, but it must be implemented in a way that doesn't slow down our business,” said Stephen Arnold, CIO of Ernst & Young, Australia. “We have selected Matrix C2 switches to bring the full benefit of Secure Networks to the edge of our network. The C2—combined with Enterasys switches at the distribution layer and core, and granular policy control—gives us an unmatched dynamic security posture that grows and adjusts with the firm while enabling us to increase network and business performance.” Other networking vendors sacrifice performance, functionality and/or security to compete on price. That approach leaves customers to deal with threats deeper in the network infrastructure—often when substantial damage in terms of lost revenue and staff time has already occurred. Enterasys is committed to delivering products that not only offer high performance at the edge, but also have security integrated into their DNA.

“Enterasys Networks continues to provide our growing base of worldwide enterprise customers with solutions that enable them to meet their business goals by ensuring network continuity, protection of vital data and control over the many people and devices on their networks,” said Mark Aslett, president and chief operating officer of Enterasys Networks. “The Matrix C2 Series is the latest example of how we continually raise the bar and deliver the highest levels of infrastructure security available today.

“Enterprise networks must expand beyond a focus on cost, capacity and connectivity to encompass key business requirements such as continuity, context, control, compliance and consolidation,” Aslett said. “While other vendors talk about their vision for securing enterprise networks, Enterasys continues to deliver real Secure Network solutions that immediately reduce vulnerability, increase business efficiency and productivity, and significantly improve security across the entire network—even heterogeneous networks with technology from multiple vendors.”

Driven by convergence applications, network expansions and upgrades, the Ethernet switching market is one of the fastest growing sectors in enterprise networking. IDC estimates the worldwide market will surpass $15 billion in 2008. Since convergence means that even more critical business communications are sharing the same corporate networks, better security, greater bandwidth and improved QoS are required. The Matrix C2 Series meets these changing customer demands better than products from any other vendor.

“Enterasys has extended its Secure Networks policy and security capabilities to a competitively priced stackable platform, enabling enterprises to enforce granular security policies at the network access points,” said Max Flisi, an analyst at IDC. “And, with first-to-market 10/100/1000 PoE support in a stackable form factor, the Matrix C2 addresses enterprise requirements for convergence-ready infrastructures.”

The Matrix C2 family is an ideal fit for Enterasys’ two-tier distribution model. Leading resellers worldwide have placed orders for the product because it delivers the power of Secure Networks to the edge of the network, in a highly desirable form factor and at a very competitive price.

“Tech Data is widely recognized for our ability to offer resellers best-of-breed solutions for high-demand technology markets such as network security,” said Joe Serra, Tech Data’s vice president of networking and high-end storage product marketing. “Now, more than ever, businesses require effective and reasonably priced network security and data protection solutions. The competitive price and functionality of the Matrix C2 Series make it a versatile solution for resellers targeting the growing awareness for reliable network security across a broad spectrum of industries.” Tech Data distributes the Enterasys Matrix C2 Series throughout the Americas.

These products provide an ideal foundation for Secure Networks at the edge of the enterprise network. With the industry’s first 10/100/1000 stackable with PoE capabilities, the entire Matrix C2 series supports 802.1x, MAC and Web authentication for securely supporting enterprise users, as well as converged network applications and devices. For more information about the Matrix C2 series, visit http://www.enterasys.com/products/switching/c/C2xxxx-xx/.

The Enterasys Secure Networks Advantage

Enterasys’ industry-leading Secure Networks technology and solutions provide the most granular level of security available today, providing visibility and control down to the network device, individual user and application level. The unmatched security comes from the integrated, policy-based management software architecture that works with the embedded security capabilities Enterasys designs into its entire product line. This unique approach offers significant operational and business benefits, unmatched by vendor offerings that simply add hardware or software to multiple network access points in an attempt to increase security. In fact, Secure Networks technology can even make networks with competitors’ equipment more secure.

About Enterasys Networks

Enterasys Networks (NYSE: ETS) is a global provider of Secure NetworksTM for enterprise customers. Enterasys' innovative network infrastructure offerings deliver the security, productivity and adaptability benefits required by Global 2000 organizations, coupled with the industry's strongest service and support. For more information on Enterasys and its products, including multilayer switches, core routers, WAN routers, wireless LANs, network management, and intrusion defense systems (IDS), visit enterasys.com.