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From: "Brigitta Shore" 
Subject: NETWORK GIANTS INSTALL LINUX-BASED TEST BED
Date: Mon, 23 Aug 1999 11:31:39 -0700

Press Contacts:
Neal Nelson
Neal Nelson & Associates
(312) 755-1000
neal@nna.com

Elena Verlee
Verlee Communications
(604) 734-5630
everlee@home.com

NETWORK GIANTS INSTALL LINUX-BASED TEST BED
Breakthrough in network testing takes advantage of Linux speed
to create realistic stress test

Chicago, IL (August 23, 1999) -Linux continues to receive solid backing from
major players, with Cabletron Systems, Xylan and FORE Systems installing
network test equipment based on the popular open-source software. Designed
by benchmarking specialist Neal Nelson & Associates, the Network Stress Test
is the first large-scale tool to use real clients and servers to send actual
network traffic at very high bit rates.  The speed and bandwidth capacity of
the Linux platform, coupled with Nelson's unique testing methodology,
enables manufacturers and potential buyers alike to evaluate new products
using the most extreme, real-world network traffic patterns.

Unlocking the power of Linux
"Linux is an excellent operating system for large clusters of computers,"
comments John Hynds, Director of Systems Engineering for Xylan.  "It has
very efficient LAN drivers, can generate high volumes of network traffic and
comes with a full set of client and server application software.  Also,
there are no additional licensing charges when it is installed on a cluster
with any number of individual machines.  It is a very powerful and
cost-effective option."

Real network traffic provides superior testing
While other testing methods generate artificial packets of data from
simulated applications, Nelson's breakthrough in network testing enables
technicians to quickly and easily configure thousands of real clients
talking to thousands of real servers in a laboratory environment.  Billions
of bits per second of real network traffic are generated by the technique,
and the network throughput can be immediately analyzed to uncover problem
areas.

"This type of testing makes a lot of sense," says Kevin Brown, Senior
Marketing Director for Cabletron.  "Using high volumes of real network
traffic is completely different from, and in some ways superior to, testing
with artificial traffic generators.  Neal Nelson's method assures us that we
have put our products through the most realistic stress test possible."

Automated test execution
The Network Stress Test is a fully automated benchmark that can conduct long
and complicated tests with just a few clicks of the mouse.  Vendors can now
conduct quality testing more efficiently, ensuring that their products are
of the highest reliability before they are released in the market.  This
automation significantly improves on the industry standard 30-minute tests,
which needed to be re-set manually.

The Network Stress Test runs on a cluster of Linux-based computers with
multiple local area network adapters in each machine. The infrastructure can
support 10,000 simultaneous user sessions and perform a variety of common
network activities like web browsing, Telnet/Rlogin sessions, FTP file
transfers, email, streaming video and multicast communications.

Neal Nelson, founder of Neal Nelson & Associates, originally developed the
testing infrastructure for use at the US Army Technology Integration Center
in Fort Huachuca, Arizona.  He comments:  "Modern networks are being
challenged to handle increasingly complex loads that include huge volumes of
World Wide Web traffic, audio streams, video streams and multicast data.
These rapid innovations in network technology required that we develop
similar advances in network testing techniques.  The result is our Network
Stress Test - one tough test that can assure vendors and buyers that their
products won't let them down in high-traffic, real-world conditions."

About Cabletron
Cabletron Systems is a pioneer in high-performance computer networking and
provides dependable network access and communications to millions of people
worldwide. With scaleable products designed for Fortune 1000 enterprise
networks, service providers and small businesses, Cabletron provides simple,
reliable and cost-effective business solutions for the information age.

About FORE Systems
FORE Systems is a leading global supplier of high performance networking
solutions. FORE's Networks of SteelT deliver the increased capacity,
resiliency and scalability necessary to build networks that last. Thousands
of enterprise and service provider customers worldwide have put FORE
Systems' solutions at the heart of their networks.

About Xylan
 Xylan is an Alcatel company focused on developing powerful internetworking
products for enterprises and service providers. For enterprise customers,
Xylan's networks are so powerful that they can bypass an entire generation
of network change. They combine ease of management, high performance, and
easy integration with existing equipment and software. For service
providers, Xylan builds equipment for high-speed multi-service VPNs. Xylan's
solutions integrate broad connectivity options, advanced software for
partitioning and security, and any-to-any switching. Xylan helps service
providers build profitable networks.

About Neal Nelson & Associates
Neal Nelson & Associates is an independent testing and consulting company
founded in 1973.  It is not affiliated with any manufacturer or vendor and
offers a number of products and services including the Business Benchmarkâ,
the industry's premier multi-tasking artificial batch benchmark.  The firm
has its primary office and a testing laboratory in Chicago.
Neal Nelson & Associates' client list includes companies such as: FedEx,
IBM, McDonald's, Northern Telecom, Sprint and major government agencies
including the Internal Revenue Service, US Department of the Air Force, US
Department of the Navy and US Department of the Army.
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