Leading Communications and Computing Companies Release Request for Proposal for Service Availability(TM)Specification

MERCER ISLAND, Wash. - January 28, 2002 - The Service Availability(TM) Forum, an industry-wide coalition formed to provide dependable services and applications running on the rapidly expanding global communications network, today announced the release of the Service Availability(TM) Forum programming interface specification request for proposal (RFP).

With the release of the RFP, the industry now has the opportunity to help create and establish open Service Availability specifications - facilitating the development, deployment and vertical integration of applications and components that will help promote ultra-dependability for users of multi-service, packet-based networks. This first deliverable also underscores the Forum's dedication to meeting its goal of making Service Availability solutions pervasive in the industry. Service Availability solutions combine high availability and service continuity requirements to provide dependable communications services developed with open standards.

"This announcement is immediate proof to the industry that we are serious about our mission and we are meeting our published timeline," said Michael O'Brien, president of the Service Availability Forum. "Companies that join the Forum can shape the future by directly contributing to the standards effort."

Dedicated to building global communications systems that deliver highly scalable, dependable voice, data and multimedia services, the Service Availability Forum member companies include Aztek Engineering; Compaq; F5 Networks; Force Computers, a Solectron company; Fujitsu Siemens; GoAhead Software; Hewlett-Packard Company; IBM; Intel; MontaVista Software; Motorola; Nokia; RadiSys; Siemens; Solid; SteelEye Technology; Stonesoft; TimesTen Performance Software; Vertel Corporation and Wind River.

"In addition to taking part in defining the standard, current and new members who participate in this RFP process will also gain first-hand knowledge of how Service Availability Forum specifications could positively impact product dependability and time-to-market," said Paul Murray, technical work group chair for the Service Availability Forum.

RFP Specifics
The Service Availability Forum RFP solicits responses for programming interface specifications between the availability management middleware and the platform (includes hardware, operating system and other peripheral devices) and between availability management middleware and applications.

Submitted proposals will include a Service Availability programming interface specification, description of the underlying architecture and identification of relevant technologies, standards and supplementary materials. Organizations considering a submission are encouraged to respond to those requirements of most interest to them - proposals do not have to address all the requirements.

The deadline for submissions is Tuesday, April 30, 2002. Organizations interested in participating in the RFP and adoption process should visit the Service Availability Forum Web site for membership details.

All submissions will undergo a collaborative refinement, evaluation and voting process to enable the Forum to build consensus on acceptable solutions. The Service Availability Forum intends to review, evaluate and develop a Technical Recommendation Report detailing a completed application programming interface specification by Q3, 2002 and the platform programming interface specification by Q4.

About the Service Availability(TM) Forum
The Service Availability Forum is the industry body dedicated to creating and promoting the open standards necessary for quickly building global communications systems that will promote ultra-dependability for users of multi-service, packet-based networks. Member companies of the Service Availability Forum include Aztek Engineering; Compaq (NYSE: CPQ); F5 Networks (Nasdaq: FVIV), Force Computers, a Solectron company (NYSE: SLR); Fujitsu Siemens; GoAhead Software; Hewlett-Packard Company (NYSE: HWP); IBM (NYSE: IBM); Intel (Nasdaq: INTC); MontaVista Software; Motorola (NYSE: MOT); Nokia (NYSE: NOK); RadiSys (Nasdaq: RSYS); Siemens (NYSE: SI); Solid; SteelEye Technology; Stonesoft (HEX: SFT1V); TimesTen Performance Software, Vertel Corporation (Nasdaq: VRTL), and Wind River (Nasdaq: WIND). Service Availability Forum membership offers the opportunity to take part in building the availability specifications for the future. For more information or to inquire about becoming a member, visit www.saforum.org.

Further information:

U.S. Press Contact:
Porter Novelli, Seattle
Christiaan Brown
(206) 770-7011
christiaan.brown@porternovelli.com

European Press Contact:
Nokia Networks
Communications Department
+ 358 7180 38195
nokia.networks@nokia.com

Asia/Pacific Press Contact:
Porter Novelli, Singapore
Lin Li Lim
(65) 339-7311
linli.lim@pnicg.com

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