Quest Software Launches Spotlight On Active Directory Version 3.0; Spotlight on Active Directory Provides Enhanced Views of Active Directory Topology, Facilitating Issue Resolution

Business Wire, April 29, 2002

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

Microsoft Management Summit

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 29, 2002

Quest Software Inc. (Nasdaq:QSFT), a leading provider of application management solutions, today announced the release of Spotlight(TM) on Active Directory (AD) version 3.0, a real-time diagnostics solution designed to ensure the performance and availability of an Active Directory-based network operating system.

Spotlight on AD displays the actual processing architecture of Active Directory in real time, enabling users to quickly identify any bottlenecks or performance issues and immediately take appropriate corrective action. The new version of Spotlight on AD features an advanced AD Topology Viewer, which helps diagnose directory and file replication issues, as well as time synchronization problems.

"IT-based service level agreements and business critical functions rely on the efficiency of all components within the computing infrastructure," said John Enck, vice president and research director from Gartner.

"Solutions that diagnose and facilitate the resolution of infrastructure issues are extremely important to most IT organizations. Therefore, as Active Directory becomes more prevalent in today's computing infrastructures, we recommend that customers look into third-party tools that enhance the efficiency of Active Directory during testing and production usage."

Spotlight on AD provides expert advice for its alarms to help administrators make informed decisions and adjustments to maximize system efficiency. If additional information is required, a comprehensive expert help file ensures that the administrator has the most optimal action plan at their fingertips.

Spotlight on AD is pre-configured for most networks, so users can simply download, install and instantly view AD components.

"As a telecommunications organization that provides large amounts of bandwidth to our clients, we use Spotlight on Active Directory enterprise-wide.

"Spotlight on AD not only monitors and manages AD within our internal network, but we also use it on the client side, as a sales tool," said Brandon Albrecht, director of managed services for IntegraLink Communications, a provider of outsourced solutions for hosting, connecting and servicing e-commerce applications.

"Spotlight on AD allows me to be more flexible with my time. I no longer have to sit in front of a monitor all day to have insight into how my servers are reacting, and our network performance has dramatically improved since the install. I can sleep easy at night knowing that our network is performing at its peak."

With Spotlight on AD's new Topology Viewer -- which displays the complete topology of Active Directory, including directory replication, file replication and time synchronization -- users have a quick graphical overview of their enterprise.

The Topology Viewer auto-discovers the replication topology of the connected forest and displays all domain controllers, intra-site and inter-site links and site boundaries. Additionally, diagnostic tests can be run against the topology to provide a sense of the current state of the overall enterprise.

"As enterprises put Active Directory into production, they are looking for tools to help them manage performance and availability. Ensuring the proper replication of Active Directory is probably the most significant issue facing many of our customers," said David Waugh, vice president of product marketing for Quest Software.

"Active Directory is becoming a critical part of our customers' infrastructure, and tools that help them diagnose and resolve performance issues can save significant amounts of time and money for their organizations."

Spotlight on AD is one product within Quest Software's Spotlight Suite for Microsoft, which also includes Spotlight on Windows, Spotlight on SQL Server and Spotlight on Exchange. Spotlight products are designed to be easy to install and use, and allow administrators to diagnose and resolve performance problems quickly.

Quest Software will be showcasing its Spotlight Suite for Microsoft this week at the Microsoft Management Summit in Las Vegas, booth #226.

Pricing and Availability

Spotlight on Active Directory is available now with pricing starting at $1,495 USD per Domain Controller. For additional information on Spotlight on Active Directory, refer to http://www.quest.com/spotlight_ad/index.asp.> About Quest Software

Quest Software is a leading provider of application management solutions. The company's products increase the performance and uptime of business-critical applications while driving down the total cost associated with running those applications.

By focusing on both the people and technology that make applications run, Quest Software enables IT professionals to achieve more with fewer resources. Quest Software is based in Irvine, Calif. and has offices around the globe. For more information, visit www.quest.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release may include predictions, estimates and other information that might be considered forward-looking statements, including statements relating the availability and market acceptance of the company's new release of Spotlight on Active Directory. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ from those anticipated as a result of various factors, including the impact of economic conditions on the company's customers, variations in the size and timing of customer orders, competitive products and pricing, rapid technological change, risks associated with the development and market acceptance of new products, disruptions caused by acquisitions of companies and/or technologies, risks associated with international operations, and the need to attract and retain qualified personnel.