NETSCOUT Announces Plug-In Module Allowing Sniffer(R) Analysis Software to Work with nGenius(R) Probes

17 May 2004
   Opens Seamless Migration Path for Sniffer(R) Customers to Adopt Advanced
                  nGenius(R) Performance Management Solution

WESTFORD, Mass., May 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- NetScout Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: NTCT), the leading provider of enterprise-wide network and application performance management solutions, announced today the availability of a new software module that allows seamless operation of Network Associates' Sniffer(R) Analysis software with NetScout's nGenius(R) Probes and nGenius(R) Performance Manager. Armed with this software, called nGenius Trace Analyzer Integrator, Sniffer customers can migrate their existing Sniffer installations to the advanced nGenius(R) Performance Management System, without having to give up their familiar trace analysis tools.

The nGenius Trace Analyzer Integrator delivers this integration through three key features:

    1. nGenius Probe data captures to be directly saved in Sniffer-compatible
       format to the desktop where the Sniffer expert analysis and packet
       decode applications are running.  NetScout users, performing proactive
       application monitoring with nGenius Performance Manager, can move
       seamlessly from business level metrics such as top applications, hosts
       and conversations to an on-demand advanced filtered data capture from
       an nGenius Probe, which is then sent to the Sniffer application for
       packet level analysis.
    2. Web-based access provided by nGenius Performance Manager allows users
       to remotely collect and save trace files in a central repository on
       the nGenius server for single-point access and use by Sniffer analysis
       tools.
    3. For local trace analysis and packet-level troubleshooting, a LAN
       Sniffer(R) Portable can be directly attached to any nGenius Probe,
       regardless of the instrumented network technology (LAN, WAN, ATM, POS,
       etc.).

As an additional benefit, nGenius Trace Analyzer Integrator opens the capability to leverage existing Sniffer(R) Distributed probes by uploading their traffic measurements to nGenius Performance Manager for state-of-the-art real time analysis and reporting.

By supporting integration with Sniffer tools, NetScout allows customers to protect their investment in legacy products while advancing to the latest technology in business-aware network and application performance management. This new capability is the latest proof of NetScout's patent-pending CDM(TM) Technology which dramatically reduces management tool clutter and operational complexity by means of a single, universal performance data source - nGenius Probes.

"NetScout is providing an appealing option for Sniffer customers seeking to better leverage their toolset investments," said Dennis Drogseth, vice president of Enterprise Management Associates. "Until now, they could not upgrade their probe installations to NetScout without also having to switch to new analysis tools. This new integration module gives them the flexibility to keep their familiar trace analysis software and migrate their instrumentation to NetScout probes."

"Our vision for consolidating management tools based on our CDM Technology is winning," said Michael Szabados, senior vice president of product operations. "nGenius Performance Manager is the most powerful and scalable enterprise tool in the market. Our probes already collect and process performance, security, billing and forensic data. We now need to make it easier for our customers to transition to our solution with minimum disruption and waste. nGenius Trace Analyzer Integrator is designed to do just that."

Pricing and Availability

The new nGenius(R) Trace Analyzer Integrator is available immediately at a list price of $25,000 per nGenius Performance Manager server. nGenius Trace Analyzer Integrator allows nGenius Probes to interoperate with Sniffer products and a host of other public domain and third party commercial trace analysis software and portables. For additional product or ordering information about nGenius solutions, call NetScout Systems at 1-800-357-7666 or visit our Website http://www.netscout.com.

About NetScout Systems, Inc.

NetScout Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: NTCT) is a market leader and pioneer of integrated network performance management products that unify performance across the enterprise. NetScout's nGenius(R) Performance Management System is helping more than 3000 leading companies increase their return on infrastructure investments by optimizing the performance of networks and applications according to business priorities. NetScout is headquartered in Westford, Massachusetts and has offices worldwide. Further information is available at http://www.netscout.com.

NetScout and the NetScout logo, and nGenius are registered trademarks of NetScout Systems, Inc and Sniffer is a registered trademark of Network Associates, Inc. CDM and the CDM logo, and MasterCare and the MasterCare logo, are trademarks of NetScout Systems, Inc. Other brands, product names and trademarks are property of their respective owners. NetScout reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to make changes at any time in its technical information and specifications, and service and support programs. NetScout Systems, Inc. is not associated or affiliated with Network Associates, Inc. or any other third party referenced in this release.

    For Further Information:
     Peggy Flynn                        Dawn Sullivan
     NetScout Systems                   Schwartz Communications, Inc.
     (978) 614-4162                     (781) 684-0770
     flynnp@netscout.com                netscout@schwartz-pr.com


SOURCE  NetScout Systems, Inc.
    -0-                             05/17/2004
    /CONTACT:  Peggy Flynn of NetScout Systems, +1-978-614-4162,
flynnp@netscout.com; or Dawn Sullivan of Schwartz Communications, Inc., +1-
781-684-0770, netscout@schwartz-pr.com/
    /Web site:  http://www.netscout.com/
    (NTCT)

CO:  NetScout Systems, Inc.
ST:  Massachusetts
IN:  CPR STW NET
SU:  PDT

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0490 05/17/2004 08:32 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com