The Network Processing Forum Selects The Tolly Group as Its Benchmark Certification Authority

Business Wire, Oct 21, 2002

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

FREMONT, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 21, 2002

The Tolly Group to Serve as Independent Auditor for NPF Members

that Wish to Certify NPF Benchmarks for Their Products

The Networking Processing Forum (NPF) today announced that it has selected The Tolly Group as an independent third-party certification authority. The NPF has created an "NPF Certified" mark that NPF members can use to demonstrate that their benchmarks meet the requirements specified in NPF benchmark Implementation Agreements (IAs). NPF members wishing to use the "NPF Certified" mark must first have their benchmark results audited and certified by a Certified Auditor. The selection of The Tolly Group as a Certified Auditor allows NPF members to immediately apply for certification for benchmark results from the NPF IPv4 Forwarding Benchmark IA.

"We are very pleased that The Tolly Group, a premier independent test lab, will be a certification authority for the NPF," said Serge Audenaert, chair of the NPF's Benchmarking Working Group. "Combining third-party certification with the NPF's open methodology and the NPF's well-specified terms of use on results leads to benchmarks that are objective, verifiable, and which provide great value to system OEMs," concluded Audenaert.

"Our goal is to help the NPF and prospective network processor vendors to grow the market by providing credible, independent performance data," said Kevin Tolly, president/CEO of The Tolly Group. "We are poised to assist vendors in the emerging market for network processors to certify their product conformance to NPF benchmarks."

In addition to certification, the services offered by The Tolly Group to NPF members include:

-- Validating internal testing via the industry's foremost network testing organization, and

-- Conducting NPF benchmark testing as an independent third-party tester.

The NPF also announced that it would work closely with The Tolly Group in creating future benchmark IAs and test methodologies.

About the Network Processing Forum

The Network Processing Forum (NPF) was organized to facilitate and accelerate the development of next-generation networking and telecommunications products based on network processing technologies. By establishing common specifications, the NPF will enable equipment providers to significantly reduce their design burden while having the flexibility to use the best components to fit their requirements. The organization was formed to build on the efforts of two former industry groups -- the Common Programming Interface Forum (CPIX) and the Common Switch Interface Consortium (CSIX) -- by delivering specifications for programmable network elements that reduce equipment time-to-market while dramatically increasing time-in-market. Established in February 2001, the NPF has close to 90 members. For more information, visit the Forum's web site at http://www.npforum.org.

About The Tolly Group

The Tolly Group, an independent testing and strategic consulting organization based in Manasquan, N.J., offers a full range of services designed to furnish both the vendor and end-user communities with authoritative and unbiased information. Additionally, The Tolly Group is recognized worldwide for its expertise in assessing leading-edge technologies. For more information on the Tolly Group's services, visit its Web site at http://www.tolly.com, E-mail inquiries to info@tolly.com, call 732/528-3300 or fax at 732/528-1888.