Appalachian State University Delivers Secure Network Access to Thousands of Returning Students with Enterasys Solution

Named Network World Enterprise All-Star for its Secure Networks implementation

ANDOVER, MA-- October 3, 2006--Enterasys Networks Inc., the Secure Networks Company™, today announced that Appalachian State University in North Carolina was able to deliver secure network access to new and returning resident students in a single weekend because of the advanced automation capabilities of the university’s Secure Networks infrastructure. Previously, students could wait several weeks as network connectivity problems were resolved manually.

Appalachian State also has been named a Network World 2006 Enterprise All-Star for its customized network registration application, which is based on Enterasys technology. The Enterprise All-Star Awards honor organizations that demonstrate exceptional use of network technology to further business objectives.

The Appalachian State University network serves more than 14,000 students, 2,000 faculty/staff, 2,500 public-access computers in libraries and labs, as well as 1,000 other network-connected devices. Thanks to its policy-based Enterasys infrastructure with automated configuration management, Appalachian State needs only an eight-person IT team to support the network of more than 20,000 users and connected devices.

“When the resident students arrived for move-in weekend with their variety of desktop and laptop PCs, hand-held devices and more, we were able to securely identify, authenticate and grant access to everyone while protecting the integrity and performance of the university IT infrastructure,” said David Hayler, network systems analyst for Appalachian State. “For the first time in recent memory, I was able to spend move-in weekend at home. Needless to say, I’m extremely pleased with how Enterasys technology enables us to do our jobs better and spend less time doing them.

“Managing the network at a large university requires a delicate balance of control and freedom,” said Hayler. “We must have complete control of the network, but it must be transparent to the end users. Our students and faculty believe in freedom of information and freedom of education, and Enterasys solutions enable us to protect our environment, while providing the open access to information our users demand.”

According to Hayler, Enterasys Secure Networks automatically prevent common issues such as rogue wireless access points, DDoS attacks, DHCP, DNS and gateway spoofing from impacting the network. “To our knowledge, we’re the only university that can allow anyone to access any wired or wireless connection on our campus—even if we have no prior knowledge of who they are—and automatically assign them to a policy-based role that enables them to do what they are authorized to do, while preventing any accidental or intentional threat to our IT assets.

“The Enterasys Matrix switches perform multi-user MAC authentication on every port for each user every fifteen minutes,” Hayler said, “so we know at any given time how many users are on the network and where they are. We completely avoid the loophole of static IP address assignment problems found in other vendors’ DHCP-based approaches to network access control. If problems arise, we can easily identify and locate users to fix the issue or re-assign their policy privileges to prevent them from causing harm. I would highly recommend Enterasys as it is the only vendor we found who could deliver these capabilities and we sleep better at night based on the success of our implementation.”

Appalachian State University’s network includes equipment from other vendors and the IT team relies on Enterasys’ NetSight® Console, Policy Manager and Inventory Manager to provide centralized management and security of its multi-vendor, multi-technology infrastructure.

“The reason we chose Enterasys is that the company offers top-notch support, R&D leadership and technical features that no other vendor is able to provide,” Hayler said. “Enterasys has never been satisfied with the status quo; they’ve always continued to innovate and deliver unique features that are vital to us.”

Appalachian State University soon will take its network registration application to the next level by integrating automated vulnerability assessment and client remediation capabilities. The Secure Networks solution will ensure that this new initiative delivers the same level of control and performance the university has come to expect from Enterasys.

About Enterasys Networks

Enterasys Networks--the Secure Networks Company--provides enterprises with the most integrated, up-to-date portfolio of security-enabled network infrastructure products, centralized command and control software, and advanced security applications available today. Information about the company’s award-winning line of policy-enabled switches, routers, wireless products, security software, and services is available at enterasys.com.

About The Gores Group

Founded in 1987, The Gores Group is a private equity firm focused on acquiring controlling interests in mature and growing businesses which can benefit from the firm’s operating experience and flexible capital base. The firm combines the operational expertise and detailed due diligence capabilities of a strategic buyer with the seasoned M&A team of a traditional financial buyer. The Gores Group has become a leading investor, primarily in the technology and telecommunications sectors, having demonstrated over time a reliable track record of creating substantial value in its portfolio companies alongside management. Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, The Gores Group maintains offices in Boulder, Colorado and London. For more information, please visit www.gores.com.

About Tennenbaum Capital Partners, LLC

Tennenbaum Capital Partners is a Santa Monica, California-based private investment firm managing over $3.8 billion in assets through private funds. The firm’s investment strategy is grounded in a long-term, value approach, and it assists - both financially and operationally - transitional middle-market companies in such industries as technology, healthcare, energy, aerospace, business services, retail and general manufacturing. Tennenbaum’s core strengths include its in-depth knowledge of equity and debt-financing vehicles in the public and private markets, as well as a thorough understanding of special situations. For more information, please visit www.tennenbaumcapital.com.

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Kevin Flanagan

Director, Corporate Communications & Investor Relations

Enterasys Networks Inc.

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