Aruba And Alcatel Forge Agreement To deliver Secure Mobile LAN Products


Companies Forge Worldwide Agreement to Define the Next Phase of Enterprise Network Infrastructure

SUNNYVALE, CA, -/22 March, 2005 - Wi-Fi Technology News/- Aruba Networks (Aruba) today announced a worldwide agreement with Alcatel (Paris: CGEP.PA and NYSE: ALA) focused on the enterprise mobility market. Together, the two companies are ushering in the next phase of enterprise infrastructure deployment being driven by user mobility.

Under terms of the agreement, Aruba?s products and technology will be integrated into Alcatel?s innovative CrystalSec security framework for delivering converged enterprise mobility solutions. Alcatel?s data networking business and Aruba will deliver a comprehensive set of mobile LAN products that automatically identify and authenticate users as they connect to the network. The joint solution establishes the mobile user?s identity and subsequently enables ?follow-me? user privileges, security and services ? something no other enterprise mobility system provides today. This sophisticated technology gives corporations the power to manage and secure people rather than ports.

?Wireless access is essential, but not sufficient for enterprise mobility,? said Don LeBeau, president and CEO of Aruba Networks. ?Mobility is an irreversible trend that is reshaping the way corporate networks are built, managed and secured. Alcatel and Aruba are leading the way to help companies not only deal with the impact of mobility, but leverage it as a differentiator.?

LeBeau noted that, given recent industry consolidation, enterprises are increasingly concerned with the ongoing innovation of products and technology, as well as the timely delivery of service and support. ?The power behind the Alcatel/Aruba agreement is that innovation, service and support are boosted, not impeded,? LeBeau concluded.

?Enterprises everywhere are looking for more than just wireless LAN technology. They need a clear path to enabling true mobility across the organization with access to all business applications and the highest security guarantee,? said Tom Burns, general manager of Alcatel?s data networking business. ?Alcatel and Aruba are driving this transformation, empowering enterprises to address the fundamental new requirements caused by user mobility.? The agreement will help Alcatel?s data networking business advance its market leadership from first-generation wireless LAN systems to a new class of converged, secure and scalable enterprise mobility solutions.

?Mobility introduces the need to know each user?s identity and to protect the entire network, not just the WAN link, from the outside,? said David Passmore research director at the Burton Group. ?Increasingly, enterprises view mobility, security and wireless as one problem and want one solution that is simple, scalable and high performance. Aruba and Alcatel have recognized this and have done something about it.?

About Aruba Wireless Networks, Inc.
Based in Sunnyvale, California, Aruba Wireless Networks (Aruba) is a fast-growing enterprise infrastructure company. Aruba pioneered the concept of centralized network systems to enable wireless, security and mobility services. The company's products help corporations address fundamental new changes taking place in enterprise networks caused by user mobility, security and wireless technology. Aruba markets and manufactures a complete line of network mobility and security systems that include wireless LAN switches, grid controllers, grid and access points along with advanced grid control software applications. Privately-held, Aruba has operations in the United States, Europe, Asia Pacific and India and employs staff around the world. Aruba has received over $59 million in three rounds of venture funding from top-tier venture firms - Matrix Partners, Sequoia Capital, Trinity Ventures and WK Technology Fund. Visit Aruba Wireless Networks at http://www.arubanetworks.com

About Alcatel: http://www.alcatel.com/