Network World Reveals the Top-Performing Network Products
Best Products Issue Highlights 2003 Best of the Tests Award Winners

February 23, 2004 – Southborough, MA – Network World, Inc., the leading Network IT media company, concluded over a year's worth of hands-on product testing with the selection of 14 enterprise network products that stand out as the best of the best. In its fifth year, the prestigious Network World Best of the Tests Award, is bestowed on top-performing products selected from a field of over 240 enterprise network products tested during the past 14 months. "These products are the network industry's stellar performers as they survived the rigorous, hands-on testing of at least one, and up to three of our expert testers," says Christine Burns, Network World Lab Alliance director.

The Network World Lab Alliance, a coalition of top industry experts, network integration consultants, independent test labs and university lab personnel, tested products from almost 200 vendors divided into 13 categories based on the type of critical network service they offer to Network IT Executives. Before determining the winners, Network World narrowed the field of tested products to 61 finalists within these 13 categories.

The Network World 2003 Best of the Tests Award winners are:

Company
Winning Product Name
Product Category
Postini Perimeter Manager Version 3.3 Anti-spam
Avaya
(NYSE: AV)
IP PBX Platform VoIP
Opnet Technologies
(NASDAQ: OPNT)
IT Guru, Version 9.0 LAN Management
Documentum
(Division of EMC)
eRoom 6.0 Messaging/Collaboration
Cisco
(NASDAQ: CSCO)
Catalyst 6500 with 10G Ethernet line cards Network Gear
Microsoft
(NASDAQ: MSFT)
Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition Operating System
Sanctum AppShield 4.0 Security Infrastructure
ArcSight ArcSight 2.5 Security Management
Cisco
(NASDAQ: CSCO)
Multilayer DataCenter Switch 9509 Storage
Visual Networks
(NASDAQ: VNWK)
Visual UpTime 7.1 WAN Management
Airespace Airespace AS4024 Wireless *
Aruba Wireless Networks Aruba 5000 Wireless LAN Switches Wireless *
IntraDyan RocketVault SOHO/SMB
Apple
(NASDAQ: AAPL)
iSight Camera and iChat AV Software Cool Tools
*A tie declared in this category.

Winning products and summaries of the 61 finalists are featured in Network World's Signature Series Best Products Issue, and at www.nwfusion.com/best/2004/. The Best Products Issue is one of six Signature Series issues published bimonthly by Network World. This award-winning series provides a comprehensive exploration of the most important business and technical issues facing Network IT Executives today.

About Network World
Network World, Inc., the Leader in Network Knowledge, empowers Network IT Executives through education, information and community. Network World, an IDG company, is the leading provider of news, analysis, reviews, events and education on information technology. Network World publishes the leading newsweekly, Network World, hosts the most active online community, Network World Fusion (http://www.nwfusion.com), and produces educational seminars and events worldwide. Network World's portfolio of strategic marketing programs provides marketing and agency professionals with the tools to generate high-quality leads, optimize marketing campaigns, and create new revenue opportunities.

About IDG
International Data Group (IDG) is the world's leading technology media, research, and event company. A privately held company, IDG publishes more than 300 magazines and newspapers including Bio-IT World, CIO, CSO, Computerworld, GamePro, InfoWorld, Network World, and PC World. The company features the largest network of technology-specific Web sites with more than 400 around the world. IDG is also a leading producer of more than 170 computer-related events worldwide including LinuxWorld Conference & ExpoR, Macworld Conference & ExpoR, COMNETR Conference & Expo, DEMO, and IDC Directions. IDC provides global market research and advice through offices in 50 countries. Company information is available at http://www.idg.com.


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TerryAnn Croci
Sr. Director of Marketing
Network World, Inc.
Phone: (508) 490-6420
Fax: (508) 490-6417
tcroci@nww.com
www.networkworld.com for corporate information
www.nwfusion.com for the latest network news and analysis