Spirent Communications Announces First Single-System Test Platform to Test Voice, Video, and Data

Business Wire, May 11, 2004

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

NetWorld Interop 2004 Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 11, 2004

Spirent ACT (Architecture for Converged Testing) delivers a new

approach to testing converged networks

Spirent Communications(TM) (NYSE:SPM)(LSE:SPT) today announced Spirent ACT, a combination of Spirent tools and expertise rolled into a single-system to test scalability, performance, security, interoperability, and quality of voice services in the presence of realistic data -- streaming video and HTTP web traffic. Spirent's ACT system is supported on Spirent's Abacus 5000 IP Telephony Test Migration System.

Spirent's ACT offers an unprecedented resource to test converged networks in the enterprise. Unlike the current practice of testing voice, video and data separately, ACT reveals interactions between three types of traffic, helping enterprises mitigate performance risks prior to deployment.

"Having the ability to test voice, video and data in one system allows enterprises to design an appropriate network for their needs, correctly address over-subscription and select the correct roll-out infrastructure," said Zeus Kerravala, vice president of Enterprise Infrastructure Research at The Yankee Group. "The ability to assure a network before roll-out saves money by accelerating deployment."

Current test methodology advocates that each traffic type -- voice, video or data -- be tested separately. As a result, enterprises, network equipment manufacturers and multi-service providers are unable to assess real interactions between traffic types. With Spirent ACT, these customers can assess service interactions between voice, video and data before their network goes live, mitigating service disruption and lost productivity. In addition, pre-deployment testing and verification of multi-service networks allows customers to ensure optimal scalability without added cost, maximize performance with inherent reliability and guarantee interoperability with proven voice quality. This allows for bundling of services, which increases customer loyalty and per user revenues.

"The view that voice is just another application on the data network is a dangerous myth in our industry. Voice is much more sensitive to jitter and packet loss, has billing and E911 implications, requires a combination of IP and PSTN signaling protocols, and has a much higher level of expectation in terms of dependability and availability as compared to data," said Bahaa Moukadam, vice president of IP Telephony at Spirent Communications. "Our first-to-market solution is intended to boost the confidence of enterprises reluctant to roll out VoIP due to the technical risks, security concerns and other uncertainties associated with the transition to converged networks."

Spirent's Abacus 5000 ACT is available now. Features include:

-- 1. User realism in web traffic, voice, and video streaming

emulation

-- 2. Security testing

-- 3. Real-time voice quality metrics

-- 4. Graphical reporting

About Spirent Communications

Spirent Communications (www.spirentcom.com) is a global provider of integrated performance analysis and service assurance systems that enable the development and deployment of next-generation networking technology such as Internet telephony, broadband services, 3G wireless, global navigation satellite systems, and network security equipment. Spirent's solutions are used by more than 1,500 customers in 30 countries, including the world's largest equipment manufacturers, service providers, enterprises and governments. Based in Rockville, Maryland, Spirent Communications reported 2003 revenue of $394 million and has 1,800 employees worldwide. The company is the largest business group of Spirent plc, traded on the London and New York Stock Exchanges (LSE:SPT)(NYSE:SPM)(CUSIP number: 84856M209). www.spirent.com. Spirent Communications' sales to the United States government are made through Spirent Federal Systems. www.spirentfederal.com.

Spirent, Spirent Communications and the Spirent logo are trademarks of Spirent plc. All other trademarks or registered trademarks are held by their respective companies. All rights reserved.

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