Cygnet Technologies, Novell Announce Strategic Alliance to Use NDS eDirectory to Make Smart Edge Devices

Cygnet Technologies Inc., a leading developer and marketer of edge communications systems using Gigabit Ethernet, VDSL and HPNA technologies, and Novell, Inc., the leading provider of Net services software, today announced a strategic alliance to develop a solution that will greatly simplify the management of switches and other network devices. Cygnet's Unified Management Access™ (UMA) software, which is embedded in network devices, will make use of the identity management capabilities of Novell's directory technology to enable the management of those devices through NDS® eDirectory™. The combined solution will enable the dynamic configuration of network devices and allow organizations to provision network bandwidth according to user identities and profiles stored in eDirectory. The solution is being demonstrated this week at the SUPERCOMM trade show.

Cygnet's UMA and Novell's eDirectory can be used to improve level of service, quality of service, bandwidth provisioning and seamless delivery of broadband Internet content, all features deemed critical by service providers and enterprises. The Novell-Cygnet solution will also enable the automatic configuration of network devices, which increases administrator productivity, while reducing the number of onsite visits needed to service existing users and activate new ones. Because of the unique combination of standard protocol support, the result can be improved return on investment and reduced costs by smart device management and remote updates and upgrades of hardware.

"Novell has already enjoyed tremendous success with embedded systems through its Novell Distributed Print Services™ technology; and now we're extending directory management and self-provisioning beyond printers to devices like network switches," said Paul Smart, vice president and general manager of Novell's Net Directory business. "This partnership and development with Cygnet gives Novell two strategic advantages in support of our one Net vision. First, we've increased the already strong value proposition for eDirectory by expanding the number and type of devices it can manage; and second, we've laid the technological foundation through which we plan to offer embedded directory technology in a broader range of network devices."

"The Cygnet Technologies and Novell strategic alliance marks the first time that two companies have developed a software system that enables the enterprise to reduce operational costs through a sophisticated, directory-based management of network devices," said Charles Schmidt, CEO and president of Cygnet Technologies. "This simplified management of devices within the network is possible because the intelligence is enabled within them."

For more information about the Novell-Cygnet device management solution, visit Cygnet's SUPERCOMM booth, number 9034, or contact Novell OEM Sales at 801-861-7734.

About NDS eDirectory
NDS eDirectory, the industry's most deployed directory service with nearly 139 million users worldwide, is the only directory service to support the multiple operating systems that exist in today's enterprises, including NetWare®, Windows NT/2000*, Solaris*, Linux*, Tru64 UNIX* and soon IBM AIX*. eDirectory is the only solution on the market that lets customers centrally manage network access, security and network resources in today's emerging, one Net environment.

About Cygnet Technologies
Cygnet Technologies Inc. develops and markets edge communications systems to enable the broadband needs of the multi-dwelling unit (MDU), multi-tenant unit (MTU), single-family residential, campus and high-speed office markets. Cygnet Technologies' edge communications systems consist of access concentrators, bridge remote units and switches using VDSL, HPNA and Gigabit Ethernet technologies, and are sold to OEMs, service providers and system integrators globally. The company's Sojourner™ access concentrators, Enabler™ bridge remotes and Enterprise™ Gigabit Ethernet switches enable high-speed Internet access over existing copper wire infrastructure. Cygnet Technologies' feature-rich core software and Unified Management Access software improves the time to market of the systems and the embedded management software provides the ability to reduce administrative and equipment costs.www.CygnetTechnologies.com

About Novell
Novell, Inc. (NASDAQ:NOVL), is the leading provider of Net services software that delivers services to secure and power all types of networks the Internet, intranets, and extranets; wired to wireless; corporate and public across leading operating systems. Novell's Net services software provides the foundation for one Net a single global network that supports new applications and forms of business. Worldwide channel, consulting, education and technical support programs, along with strategic alliances, combine Novell Net services software with third-party products and services to form complete Net solutions.

For information on Novell's complete range of products and services, contact Novell's Customer Response Center at (888) 321-4CRC (4272), or visit Novell's Web site at http://www.novell.com. Press may access Novell announcements and company information on the World Wide Web at http://www.novell.com/pressroom. In addition, detailed comparisons between Novell products and competitive offerings from other vendors are available on the Web at http://www.novell.com/competitive.

Novell, NDS and NetWare are registered trademarks, and eDirectory and Novell Distributed Print Services are trademarks of Novell, Inc. *All third party trademarks are the property of their respective owners.