Xylan Supports Sun Directory Server via LDAP; Xylan Announces Switched Network Services Support of the Solaris 7 Operating Environment

Business Wire, Oct 27, 1998

CALABASAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 27, 1998--Xylan Corporation (Nasdaq:XYLN) today announced it has completed LDAP compatibility testing with Sun Microsystems' new Sun Directory Services 3.1.

This compatibility allows customers to use products from both companies to deliver enterprise-wide directory-enabled networks.

The Sun Directory Services 3.1 is part of the Solaris 7 operating environment announced today by Sun Microsystems. The Solaris 7 operating environment features a full 64-bit computing environment, mainframe-class reliable features, NT interoperability, and easy administration.

The tests were conducted using Xylan's switch-based LDAP v.3 client and the LDAP server built into Sun Directory Services 3.1. The tests demonstrate the capability of Xylan's Omni Switch/Router, OmniSwitch and OmniStack switches to exchange data (read/write) with Sun Directory Services 3.1 servers.

With this capability, end-user information stored in the Sun Directory Server can be accessed by Xylan switches to enable simplified network management as well as security, quality of service, and other policy-based management applications.

"Directories will be very important to the management of next-generation networks, and we plan to offer one of the most complete and open solutions available for directory-enabled networking," said Sheri Determan, Xylan director of marketing for Switched Network Services. "We're glad to be working with Sun to make sure this capability is available to Sun Directory Services users."

LDAP v.3 has emerged as the leading protocol for accessing and storing information in directory servers. Xylan's use of an LDAP client allows the switch to communicate directly with the server, offering much better performance and reliability than competing proxy-based solutions.

The integration of an LDAP client is central to Xylan's Switched Network Services because it provides direct access to directory servers and can use data from those servers for security, quality of service, and policy-based management. Additionally, Xylan switches will be able to provide dynamic addressing capabilities using LDAP combined with built-in Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) and DNS servers.

Xylan will begin shipping its LDAP v.3 client in Q1 1999.

About Xylan

Xylan Corporation is one of the leading switching companies in the world; its products combine LAN switching, ATM switching, layer-three switching, and wide area switching, over a wide range of interfaces and media. Xylan's switches are distinguished by advanced architectures and chip designs, and by any-to-any switching. The same XOS software powers a full range of Xylan switches, from small workgroup Ethernet switches to large multi-layer backbone switches. As a result, a Xylan network is able to deliver cohesive services, in both end user and service provider networks.

Xylan's Switched Network Services initiative takes switching to the next step: a comprehensive set of services, including DHCP, network address translation, LDAP, RADIUS, DNS, multicast switching and routing, RSVP, broadcast management and policy-based configuration. Many of these services are already shipping.

This press release may contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements may differ materially from actual future events or results. Readers are referred to the documents filed by Xylan with the SEC, including the company's most recent report on Form 10-K and 10-Q, which identify important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements.

Xylan and OmniSwitch are trademarks of Xylan Corporation registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Omni Switch/Router, OmniS/R, and OmniStack are trademarks of Xylan Corporation.