Network Appliance and RealNetworks Team to Offer Streaming Media Enterprise Solutions

Business Wire, April 16, 2001

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SUNNYVALE, Calif. & SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 16, 2001

NetApp(R) NetCache(TM) Products Enable Enterprise Customers to

Optimize Network Bandwidth and Deliver Highly Scalable,

Highly Reliable RealAudio 8 and RealVideo 8

Network Appliance, Inc. (Nasdaq:NTAP), the leading provider of network-attached data access and content delivery solutions, and RealNetworks, Inc. (Nasdaq:RNWK), the global leader in Internet media delivery, today announced an agreement to provide advanced streaming media delivery solutions for enterprises.

This technology offering enables enterprises to manage the delivery of RealAudio and RealVideo from both the Internet and intranet, and to provide high quality playback by caching streaming media and delivering it throughout the enterprise. Using this solution, which supports video-on-demand and live stream splitting, enterprises are able to leverage their IT infrastructure for new streaming media applications including eLearning, corporate communications, and all-hands information distribution.

NetApp enterprise solutions manage the network traffic load, allowing administrators to control the content of the network and ensure that critical applications have sufficient bandwidth. By caching and splitting RealNetworks streaming media, NetApp provides the enterprise end user with a high-quality multimedia experience. RealNetworks(R) RealVideo delivers near-DVD quality starting at 500 kbps, and RealAudio delivers CD quality starting at 32 kbps. NetCache content delivery solutions, which have supported RealAudio and RealVideo for several years, provide advanced streaming intelligence within enterprise networks, eliminating redundant transmission of live and video-on-demand streams to reduce bandwidth consumption.

Network Appliance has completed additional rigorous functional testing on its NetCache appliances, and achieved the distinction, "Certified RealSystem(TM) Compatible."

"Today, enterprises are utilizing RealNetworks' cutting-edge streaming media technology to lower expenses and remain competitive," noted Amit Pandey, senior director of content delivery marketing at Network Appliance. "Online training, corporate communications, and all-hands announcements delivered over corporate intranets are becoming standard practice for enterprises that want to quickly and efficiently distribute important information to their employees. Broadcasting with streaming media is a significantly less expensive alternative for reaching employees than traditional travel, video, or pamphlets."

"RealNetworks is excited to team with NetApp to provide enterprise customers with a streaming media solution that advances them to the next level of performance and profitability," said Ben Rotholtz, general manager, Media Systems, RealNetworks, Inc. "This technology integration enables enterprises to gain more control over their network traffic and save on bandwidth costs while delivering the breakthrough quality of RealAudio 8 and RealVideo 8."

Pricing and Availability

Network Appliance customers currently using NetCache solutions to stream live and video-on-demand broadcasts in Real(R) format can upgrade to the latest version at no charge. Download the latest version of NetCache software supporting RealAudio 8 and RealVideo 8 formats from NetApp's award winning customer service portal: http://now.netapp.com.

About RealNetworks

RealNetworks, Inc., is the global leader in Internet media delivery. It develops and markets software products and services designed to enable users of personal computers and other consumer electronic devices to send and receive audio, video and other multimedia services using the Web. Consumers can access and experience audio/video programming and download RealNetworks consumer software on the Internet at http://www.real.com. RealNetworks' systems and corporate information is located on the Internet at http://www.realnetworks.com.

About Network Appliance

Network Appliance, Inc., a veteran in network file storage and content delivery, has been providing data access solutions since 1992, and is a member of both the S&P 500 and NASDAQ 100 index. Major corporations and service providers, including Lycos, Yahoo!, Citicorp Securities, Siemens, Lockheed, Cisco, Motorola, and Texas Instruments have deployed NetApp solutions.

The company pioneered the concept of the "network appliance," an extension of the industry trend toward dedicated, specialized products that perform a single function. NetApp storage and content delivery platforms (filers and NetCache appliances) are coupled with powerful content distribution and reporting software. This center-to-edge(TM) solution offers seamless data management from the back-end data center to the edge of the network quickly, simply, and reliably. The Network Appliance(TM) product portfolio utilizes the company's innovative data access software, known as the Data ONTAP(TM) operating system, as well as standards-compliant hardware. It also offers multiprotocol support and transparent integration for UNIX(R) and Windows(R) environments.