Micro Sharp Technology signs a partnership agreement to market Astaro
Firewall products meeting the growing demands of the Internet security
market.

Vancouver, WA, October 2, 2001- Micro Sharp Technology, Inc. a technology
provider of thin server appliance solutions today announced an agreement
with Astaro (www.astaro.com) to market their Firewall software product as
part of the Netule line of products.  Netule is a robust, thin server
appliance solution that allows you to simply, predictably and cost
effectively meet your server needs in a shorter period of time. The OEM
version will allow hardware systems builders to supply a low cost, robust
server appliance solution for small and medium sized business.

Under the terms of the agreement, Micro Sharp Technology will be able to
develop an integrated Netule "turn key" Hardware/software solution based on
Astaro Firewall technology. Micro Sharp also retains the rights to resell
Astaro software products to VARs and firewall solution providers.

"We were in the process of planning a firewall product to enhance our Netule
line of products when we discovered the Astaro firewall" stated Dave Mandel,
Product Manager of the Netule line of products. "In looking at developing a
firewall product, we wanted a product that is simple to implement and
administrate while offering a strong enterprise business solution. That is
what makes our Netule thin server appliances so appealing. When we came
across Astaro, we found that they shared our common phylosophy so it was not
a hard decision to partner with them."


Netule products are available through the Micro Sharp Technology
distribution channel.

ABOUT MICRO SHARP TECHNOLOGY
Since 1994, Micro Sharp Technology has been providing business computing
solutions to consultants and IT professionals. As business needs have
changed, Micro Sharp Technology has evolved from a systems and component
distributor to a
complete solutions provider supplying hardware, systems integration,
consulting, remote monitoring and the Netule Server line of products.

Micro Sharp Technology is headquartered at 1201 SE Tech Center Drive #170,
Vancouver, WA 98683. Tel: 360-260-2066, FAX: 360-260-2906. www.netule.com

ABOUT ASTARO
Astaro is a specialist for Internet security solutions. We are helping small
and medium sized companies in all industries, as well as subsidiaries and
branches of larger corporations, to secure their local networks.
With our commitment to Linux and Open Source Software, we are building on a
future-oriented platform that sets technical standards. Our technicians are
heavily involved in the development of several open source projects - one of
our goals is the release of our products under the GNU Public License.
THE COMPANY
Astaro was founded in 1999 and was converted into a joint stock company at
the beginning of 2000. The Astaro headquarters are in Karlsruhe, Germany.


Don Somppi
Marketing/Sales Director
Micro Sharp Technology
www.netule.com