SANTA CLARA, Calif., April 23, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Foundry Networks(r), Inc. (Nasdaq:FDRY), a performance and total solutions leader for end-to-end switching and routing, today announced new additions to its FastIron(r) GS and FastIron LS Series 10GbE access switch families. The new FastIron GS-STK and FastIron LS-STK models offer the benefits of "pay-as-you grow" scalability, ease of single switch operations and low initial cost of a compact access switch. These new switches are designed for organizations that require a scalable and secure "Intelligent Edge" solution that offers the cost, size and ease of deployment advantages of fixed-configuration access switches.

Highlights of the new FastIron GS-STK and LS-STK switches featuring Foundry's IronStack(tm) intelligent stacking technology include:

 * True "pay-as-you-grow" scalability
   -- Increase or decrease port counts by simply adding or
      re-deploying switches in an IronStack stack
   -- Flexibility to mix-and-match Power over Ethernet (PoE)-ready,
      PoE upgradeable and non-PoE switches in a single stack
   -- Ready migration from 10 Mbps to 100 Mbps, gigabit Ethernet (GbE)
      and 10 gigabit Ethernet (10GbE)
   -- Upgradeable with IEEE 802.3af PoE for scalable IP phone and
      wireless AP deployments (limited to FastIron GS-STK models)
 * Flexible and resilient stacking operation
   -- Cross-unit IEEE 802.3ad and static trunking for increased
      resilience
   -- Hot insertion and removal of stacking units
   -- Support for up to 8 units in an IronStack configuration
   -- Stack control automatically fails over to slave unit in event of
      master unit failure
 * Ease of management
   -- A single IP address for the entire stack simplifying
      manageability
   -- View and manage an IronStack configuration as a single entity
      via Foundry's IronView(r) Network Manager
   -- Chassis-like operations and the benefits of  Foundry's feature
      rich IronWare(tm) operating software
 * Scalable PoE with Full Class 3
   -- Up to 384 PoE ports in FastIron GS-STK IronStack configuration
   -- Full class 3 PoE on all ports within a FastIron GS-STK IronStack
      using integral, redundant, serviceable, load sharing power
      supplies -- this design helps reduce cost and rack space
      requirements by eliminating the need for external power supplies
      units

The FastIron GS-STK and FastIron LS-STK switches are powered by Foundry's proven IronWare operating software and support a rich set of advanced Layer 2 Ethernet services, static routing and IGMP and MLD multicast snooping. To protect against network abuse and to control network access, IronWare OS supports a robust suite of IronShield(tm) security capabilities including policy-based network access control, MAC-based VLANs, extended ACLs, MAC filters, denial of service protection, spanning tree protocol protection, embedded sFlow(r) traffic monitoring, IronShield 360 closed-loop threat mitigation and enhanced Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA) compliance capabilities.

Additionally, IronWare OS supports Base Layer 3 features for increased networking and configuration flexibility. Base Layer 3 features include static routing with RIP v1/v2 announcements, virtual and routed interfaces, Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) relay and Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol (VRRP). The switches will feature a de facto industry standard CLI for familiarity and ease of operations and will be manageable using Foundry's unified network management platform, IronView(r) Network Manager (INM).

"Foundry's IronStack stacking technology provides an advanced solution for building a scalable, secure and converged edge for enterprise organizations," said Bob Schiff, vice president and general manager for Foundry's Enterprise Business Unit. "The FastIron GS-STK and FastIron LS-STK stackable switches will allow enterprise customers to benefit from the feature richness of Foundry's IronWare software to deploy a scalable and secure Intelligent Edge without the upfront cost and complexity of chassis solutions."

About the FastIron LS-STK

The FastIron LS-STK switches are stackable layer 2 switches that deliver enterprise-class security, wire-speed performance in a compact, one rack unit (1U) high and 12.92" deep form factor. The FastIron LS-STK switches are ideal for environments that require secure, high-performance 10/100/1000 Mbps endpoint connectivity, and the expandability and cost advantages of a stackable solution.

FastIron LS-STK Hardware Highlights

 * Compact 1U design for wiring closet, desktop and cabinet
   installations -- 1.7" (height) x 17.3" (width) x 12.92" (depth)
 * Low power consumption: approximately 100 watts per stack unit
 * Low fan noise: Less than 43 dBA per stack unit
 * Optional external redundant AC power supply unit powers up to four
   units
 * Modular and serviceable stacking modules
 * Optional 1-port 10GbE XFP module for high-bandwidth network
   connectivity

FastIron LS-STK Models

 * FastIron LS 624-STK (FLS624-STK) -- 24-port 10/100/1000 Mbps RJ-45
   with four 100/1000 Mbps SFP ports that support 100 Mbps and 1000
   Mbps optics.  Configured with two 10-Gbps CX4 stacking ports. One
   slot available for 1-port 10GbE upgrade.

 * FastIron LS 648-STK (FLS648-STK) -- 48-port 10/100/1000 Mbps with
   four 100/1000 Mbps SFP ports that support 100 Mbps and 1000 Mbps
   optics.  Configured with two 10-Gbps CX4 stacking ports.

About the FastIron GS-STK

The FastIron GS-STK switches are stackable layer 2 switches that can be upgraded to support Power over Ethernet for powering IP endpoints including IP phones, wireless LAN access points and IP surveillance cameras. These products are ideal for organizations looking for a scalable solution that offers the edge convergence features of a chassis, but in a stackable form.

FastIron GS-STK Hardware Highlights

 * Compact 1.5 U design for wiring closet and cabinet installations
 * All models are field upgradeable to Power over Ethernet (PoE)
 * Integral, hot-swappable load-sharing AC and DC power supplies
 * Low power consumption: 100 to 200 watts per stack unit depending on
   model and system configuration
 * Modular and serviceable 2-port stacking module

FastIron GS-STK Models

 * FastIron GS 624P-STK (FGS624P-STK) -- 24-port 10/100/1000 Mbps RJ-
   45 with four 100/1000 Mbps SFP ports configurable with 100 Mbps and
   1000 Mbps optics.  Unit comes configured with two 10-Gbps CX4
   stacking ports and one AC power supply.

 * FastIron GS 624XGP-STK (FGS624XGP-STK) -- 24-port 10/100/1000 Mbps
   RJ-45 with four 100/1000 Mbps SFP ports configurable with 100 Mbps
   and 1000 Mbps optics.  Unit includes one integral 10-GE XFP port,
   two 10-Gbps CX4 stacking ports and one AC power supply.

 * FastIron GS 648P-STK (FGS648P-STK) -- 48-port 10/100/1000 Mbps RJ-
   45 with four 100/1000 Mbps SFP ports configurable with 100 Mbps and
   1000 Mbps optics.  Unit comes configured with two 10-Gbps CX4
   stacking ports and one AC power supply.

 * Each model includes one AC power supply. An optional second power
   supply may be ordered for redundancy and higher powered POE
   requirements. AC and DC power supplies are available. Units are
   field upgradeable to support Power over Ethernet (PoE) using
   pluggable PoE DIMM modules.

Pricing and Availability

U.S. list prices for the FastIron LS-STK models start at $4,495.

U.S. list prices for the FastIron GS-STK models start at $5,495.

These products will be available in summer 2008.

About Foundry Networks

Foundry Networks, Inc. (Nasdaq:FDRY) is a leading provider of high-performance enterprise and service provider switching, routing, security and Web traffic management solutions, including Layer 2/3 LAN switches, Layer 3 Backbone switches, Layer 4-7 application switches, wireless LAN and access points, metro and core routers. Foundry's customers include the world's premier ISPs, metro service providers, and enterprises, including e-commerce sites, universities, entertainment, health and wellness, government, financial and manufacturing companies. For more information about the company and its products, call 1.888.TURBOLAN or visit www.foundrynet.com.

The Foundry Networks, Inc. logo is available at http://www.primenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=2756

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