NETSCOUT Delivers Another Market First

24 Sep 2001
         Introduces Real-Time Probe for Monitoring High-Speed Packet
                          Over SONET (POS) Networks

WESTFORD, Mass., Sept. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- NetScout Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: NTCT), the leading provider of network performance management solutions, today announced the first probe to provide real-time visibility into the performance of Packet over SONET (POS) networks. Developed in response to the rapidly growing need for highly reliable optical- backbone technology in the enterprise market, the new nGenius Probe(TM) 9300 offers visibility into performance-sensitive IP applications. Until now, no sophisticated monitoring technology existed to view the application traffic running over SONET links.

Three factors have driven the growth of Packet over SONET in the enterprise; (1) the massive growth in the volume of corporate Internet traffic, (2) the adoption of IP as the primary backbone protocol and (3) the efficiency of Packet over SONET in handling IP traffic more efficiently than ATM by eliminating the "cell tax" derived from breaking the packet into smaller cells. By monitoring the OC-3 and OC-12 links, the nGenius Probe 9300 sheds light on the performance of the IP applications running over them.

The nGenius Probe 9300 delivers rich information that shows enterprise network managers what applications and by whom are running across their POS network, where performance problems exist and why. The probe's dual-port design allows monitoring of network traffic over redundant SONET links without interruption, even in the event of a failure. NetScout goes beyond the standards to provide the richest data available in the performance management market. The nGenius Probe 9300 supports all NetScout extensions, such as application response times, VoIP and custom applications, for total visibility into the POS network.

"As enterprises collapse inter-campus and branch traffic into centrally managed links, particularly POS, network managers must know at all times how these critical resources are being used, by whom, for what applications and whether their performance meets users' needs," said Michael Szabados, senior vice president, product operations. "The need for visibility is paramount. With the new nGenius Probe 9300, NetScout once again puts network managers a step ahead by delivering visibility anytime, anywhere."

NetScout's nGenius Performance Management system combines the rich POS data with data from probes on other network segments and data from network devices to provide a comprehensive view of enterprise network performance. Through intuitive reports and real-time management, customers have the deep level of visibility required to stop problems before they impact services.

"NetScout has demonstrated a deep commitment to providing broad, infrastructure insight into a wide range of parameters affecting business and e-business performance," said Dennis Drogseth, a vice president with Enterprise Management Associates, an analyst group specializing in management software and services. "The new capability for Packet Over SONET fully supports this commitment and extends it to what was before a 'black hole'-- so that IT performance management and business planning can be done more effectively than before."

Pricing and Availability

The nGenius Probe 9300 starts at $30,000 and is available immediately. For additional product or ordering information about nGenius solutions, call NetScout Systems at 1-800-657-7666 or visit our Website www.netscout.com.

About NetScout Systems

NetScout Systems, Inc. is the leading provider of network performance management solutions for leading companies and service providers worldwide. NetScout serves approximately half of the Fortune 500 and counts among its customers 3M Corporation, Amazon.com, AT&T Wireless, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Cable & Wireless, Cisco Systems, Computer Sciences Corporation, Exenet Technologies, Fidelity Investments, Intel Online, MCI, Reed Elsevier, Sprint, Sun Microsystems and Webhire. NetScout is headquartered in Westford, Massachusetts and has approximately 350 employees, with offices in North America, Europe and Asia. Further information on the company is available on the World Wide Web at www.netscout.com.

NetScout is a registered trademark, and the NetScout logo, nGenius, nGenius Application Service Level Manager, nGenius Real-Time Monitor, nGenius Capacity Planner and nGenius Probe are trademarks of NetScout Systems, Inc.

     For Further Information:
     Peggy Flynn                   Dustin Smith or Dan Sarro
     NetScout Systems              Schwartz Communications, Inc.
     (978) 614-4113                (781) 684-0770
     flynnp@netscout.com           netscout@schwartz-pr.com

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SOURCE NetScout Systems, Inc.
Web site: http: //www.netscout.com
CONTACT: Peggy Flynn of NetScout Systems, +1-978-614-4113, flynnp@netscout.com; or Dustin Smith, or Dan Sarro both of Schwartz Communications, Inc., +1-781-684-0770, netscout@schwartz-pr.com