Press Release: F5 Networks Launches Acopia Intelligent File Virtualization Solutions - Electronics Design, Strategy, News

F5 Networks Launches Acopia Intelligent File Virtualization Solutions

F5 Networks

(Product Announcements, 23/4/2008)

Extends value of its application delivery network

Hong Kong, April 23, 2008 - F5 Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ: FFIV), the global leader in Application Delivery Networking, today announced the launch of the intelligent file virtualization solutions of Acopia Networks, Inc., a best-of-breed provider of high-performance, intelligent file virtualization solutions. The Acopia intelligent file virtualization devices interface with the IP/Ethernet network fabric, providing an additional layer of intelligence – a “file awareness” – to the network. It enables enterprises to more efficiently access, manage, and optimize file storage resources. F5 recently acquired Acopia Networks Inc. Acopia solutions increase F5's strategic value to customers by optimizing the network storage layer that is entrusted with an organization's data. In extending the power of intelligent networking to all levels of application delivery, the acquisition furthers F5's strategic goal of making applications and information readily available to global users. Together, they help customers better manage the growth, complexity, and escalating expense of their file data storage. The F5 Acopia family of products extends Application Delivery Networking to include automated management of the data storage layer, and today’s announcement is another milestone in F5’s continued execution of this strategy. There are several key elements of intelligent file virtualization:  Heterogeneous and multi-vendor By definition, intelligent file virtualization needs to work with the multi-vendor, heterogeneous file storage infrastructure. This requires the ability to present a logical abstraction of the physical devices being virtualized, irrespective of file system, platform, vendor, or protocol. This element is referred to as presentation.  Performance and scale Intelligent file virtualization cannot introduce new bottlenecks into the file storage infrastructure. This means that the intelligent file virtualization layer must be faster than the aggregate of the physical devices it virtualizes. It must also be able to scale to meet future capacity demands.  Data integrity and availability Intelligent file virtualization cannot introduce any single points of failure into the file storage environment nor can it compromise data integrity in any way. The intelligent file virtualization layer must meet or exceed the availability characteristics of the most highly available systems it virtualizes.  Automation and real-time policy Intelligent file virtualization maximizes value not only by simplifying file access through presentation, but also by simplifying storage management through automation. In order to automate storage management operations, a solution needs to be able to act in real time to dynamic environmental conditions. A policy that only reacts after the condition it sought to avert occurs is of no value. Similarly, a policy that tells you about a condition but is powerless to act upon it is of little value. In order to achieve the benefits of automation, file virtualization solutions need to enforce management policies in real time. “IT professionals are really starting to see the benefits of infrastructure virtualization at every level. With the addition of F5’s Acopia File Virtualization services, IT professionals finally have the ability to really harness all the power of virtualization—from servers to data center and link virtualization product. Adding Acopia has made F5’s network virtualization service offerings among the most complete in the entire industry,” said Mark Bowker, an analyst with Enterprise Strategy Group. 'Acopia has proven technology that is widely deployed in global enterprises today. Intelligent file virtualization is a natural and important extension to F5's data center vision,' said Linda Hui, Managing Director of F5 Networks in Hong Kong and Taiwan. 'Within the datacenter, F5 optimizes the web and application layers. Externally, we optimize the links between data centers. With the addition of Acopia, we extend that value by optimizing the file storage layer-providing our customers faster, more secure, and more reliable access to applications and information regardless of their location. Also, virtualization is a critical success factor of Green IT, file virtualization is part of the key contributors' “Forward-thinking customers around the world are adopting F5 Acopia file storage virtualization solutions because they appreciate the tremendous benefits of this technology,” said Christopher Lynch, Senior Vice President of Data Solutions at F5. “Today, IT executives realize that F5 Acopia is no longer just an alternative; it’s an imperative. With this release, we are making it easier than ever for our customers to put intelligence to work managing their data storage assets.” About F5 Networks F5 Networks is the global leader in Application Delivery Networking. F5 provides solutions that make applications secure, fast and available for everyone, helping organizations get the most out of their investment. By adding intelligence and manageability into the network to offload applications, F5 optimizes applications and allows them to work faster and consume fewer resources. F5’s extensible architecture intelligently integrates application optimization, protects the application and the network, and delivers application reliability—all on one universal platform. Over 10,000 organizations and service providers worldwide trust F5 to keep their applications running. The company is headquartered in Seattle, Washington with offices worldwide. For more information, go to www.f5.com. This press release may contain forward looking statements relating to future events or future financial performance that involve risks and uncertainties. Such statements can be identified by terminology such as 'may,' 'will,' 'should,' 'expects,' 'plans,' 'anticipates,' 'believes,' 'estimates,' 'predicts,' 'potential,' or 'continue,' or the negative of such terms or comparable terms. These statements are only predictions and actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these statements based upon a number of factors including those identified in the company’s filings with the SEC. # # #