LVL7 Announces Multiple Linux Customers,


FASTPATH(tm) to provide industry's first completely integrated
Linux-based switch-router software products

Cary, NC - (March 5, 2002) - LVL7 Systems, a network processing software 
company that accelerates the development of network infrastructure 
equipment, announced today the launch of an aggressive Linux strategy 
that includes:

*        The introduction of the industry's first completely integrated 
Linux-based switch/router software solution for the enterprise and 
access markets, 

*        A partnership with Red Hat (NASDAQ:RHAT), one of the world's 
leading providers of the Linux operating system, and 

*        The creation of a Linux development community that provides 
network equipment vendors with a central source for Linux development
support and services from LVL7, Red Hat and other silicon partners.

Ernie Baker, founder and president of LVL7, says the software company is 
committed to meeting the needs of the Linux community.  "Linux is an 
increasingly popular choice as an embedded operating system and is a 
natural fit for FASTPATH because of its independent nature and ease of 
portability," Baker said.  "Product developers are asking for 
intelligent solutions that enable new revenue generating services. 
FASTPATH is still the only networking software product that has been 
successfully ported and integrated on multiple operating systems and 
silicon platforms, including network processors, ASICs and ASSPs."

LVL7 has already begun working with multiple customers to provide the 
Linux-based version of its FASTPATH(tm) 2.0 software suite, which 
includes production quality code for Layers 2/3/4+ switching and 
routing, bandwidth provisioning and management services.  FASTPATH was 
recently tested and integrated on the Linux 2.4 kernel, making it the 
industry's first completely integrated switch-router solution.  
Previously, equipment manufacturers have been forced to write their own 
Linux software code or face the difficult challenge of integrating 
numerous shrink-wrapped routing protocols.

"As developers start migrating to Linux and building advanced networking 
products, they are demanding software solutions that combine 
functionality, operational efficiency and a competitive cost of 
ownership," said Stephen Balacco, embedded systems research analyst at 
Venture Development Corporation. "LVL7's FASTPATH provides exactly that 
for the Linux development environment."




Partnership with Red Hat
LVL7 plans to aggressively pursue deals in the Linux market and has =
kicked off its efforts by striking deals with one of the best-known =
names in Linux: Red Hat.  FASTPATH software has been integrated to =
support Red Hat's versions of the Linux operating system. 

For Red Hat, the availability of new Linux-based networking solutions =
such as FASTPATH helps propel the growth of the Linux movement.  The =
integration of FASTPATH with embedded Linux as a complete network =
product offering better positions Linux to challenge other commercial =
and proprietary Real Time Operating Systems (RTOS) as the operating =
system of choice for network equipment developers.

"As an embedded Linux partner with LVL7, Red Hat continues to =
demonstrate its commitment to expand Linux's availability for developers =
of advanced networking and communications devices," said Michael =
Tiemann, CTO at Red Hat.  "By integrating FASTPATH with our embedded =
Linux offering, we can extend the reach of the services and support =
available through the Red Hat network to further enhance developer =
productivity."

Red Hat has joined LVL7's Smart Start partner program, an initiative =
that integrates LVL7's FASTPATH software and intellectual property with =
partner technologies to provide customers a smarter path to market.  For =
customers, the combination of these Linux technologies provides a =
completely integrated and tested solution, with additional support and =
services readily available from LVL7 and Red Hat.      

Red Hat offers a range of services to help customers in any stage of the =
development cycle: embedded systems training, extensive support, board =
support package and device driver solutions, and system management =
services - available through Red Hat Network. All services enhance =
developer productivity by ensuring that the developer has access to =
engineering expertise as well as the latest technology for their =
systems. In addition, Red Hat offers porting services to assist =
customers in porting their applications to Embedded Linux.

Growing Demand for Linux Software Support
LVL7 has witnessed a growing interest in Linux software support from =
customers,
and recent reports from the Linux analyst community point toward =
dramatic increases in the embedded Linux market beginning this year. 

A July 2001 report from Evans Data predicts the embedded Linux market =
will increase more than 140 percent in 2002, surpassing VxWorks=AE to =
become the most popular embedded software system.  Another analyst firm, =
Venture Development Corporation, predicts that worldwide shipments of =
embedded Linux operating systems, software development tools and related =
services will jump more than
61 percent a year through 2005, creating a market valued at $306.6 =
million.    

These figures -- combined with the increased emphasis on Linux from IBM, =
HP, Sun and other major technology companies -- bode well for LVL7 as it =
enters the embedded Linux market.   

LVL7 has already begun shipping the Linux-based version of FASTPATH to =
equipment vendors in the NPU, ASIC and ASSP space.  LVL7's Linux =
customers are targeting the following markets: broadband access, =
wireless base station, and enterprise and metro switch-router products.

FASTPATH(tm) works across multiple operating systems, silicon platforms
The FASTPATH software suite includes more than one million lines of =
production quality code for switches, routers and access devices.  As =
the only company to provide a flexible architecture that works across =
multiple silicon platforms and operating systems, LVL7 enables =
networking equipment manufacturers to reduce product development cycles =
and get to market faster.

About LVL7 Systems, Inc.
LVL7 (Level 7) Systems, Inc. offers a full suite of network processing =
software that accelerates the development of intelligent network =
infrastructure equipment, including switches, routers and access =
devices.  As the only company to provide a flexible architecture that =
works across multiple platforms and operating systems, LVL7 enables =
networking equipment manufacturers to reduce product development cycles =
and get to market faster.  LVL7's FASTPATH software includes verified =
protocols and applications, as well as assembly and device driver code. =
FASTPATH is available in function-specific packages or as an integrated =
suite to meet individual product and market demands.  LVL7 is a member =
of the NP Forum and has partnerships with leading technology =
manufacturers, including AMCC, NetLogic, SwitchCore and Vitesse. LVL7 is =
a privately held company located near Research Triangle Park, North =
Carolina.  For more information about LVL7's FASTPATH software, visit  =
 www.LVL7.com  .

About Red Hat, Inc.
Red Hat is the world's premier open source and Linux provider. Red Hat =
is headquartered in Research Triangle Park, N.C. and has offices =
worldwide. Please visit Red Hat on the Web at www.redhat.com. 
For investor inquiries, contact Gabriel Szulik at Red Hat, (919) =
547-0012.
###
 LINUX is a trademark of Linus Torvalds. RED HAT is a registered 
trademark of Red Hat, Inc. All other names and trademarks are the 
property of their respective owners.

Media Contacts:

LVL7
Kishore Jotwani                                 Linda Palmer
Vice President of Marketing                     Marketing Manager
Phone: (919) 865-2909                           Phone: (919) 865-2788
E-mail: krj@lvl7.com                            E-mail: lpalmer@lvl7.com

Robert Brown
RF|Binder Partners (for LVL7)
Phone: (919) 791-2081
E-mail:   robert.brown@rfbinder.com

Red Hat
Phone: (919) 547-0012 Ext. 160
E-mail: redhat@schwartz-pr.com



LVL7        13000 Weston Pkwy. Suite 105     T  919.865.2700 
            Cary, NC 27513                   F  919.865.2703
http://www.LVL7.com/