Ciena Expands FlexSelect Architecture with New and Enhanced Ethernet Platforms to Create Flexible, Performance-grade Carrier Ethernet Networks

Company unveils strategy to transform Ethernet as the solution of choice for service provider network convergence

Linthicum, MD – 02/26/2007

Ciena® Corporation (NASDAQ: CIEN), the network specialist, today announced a comprehensive strategy - FlexSelect™ for Ethernet - to make Ethernet a carrier-class, performance-grade convergence vehicle from the access network to the core. Extending the Company’s FlexSelect Architecture approach to network transition, Ciena is adding advanced Ethernet products and capabilities to its portfolio to enable flexible, converged Ethernet-based networks for the delivery of any type of service with unparalleled resiliency, service quality and management control.

Consistent with the compelling economic and operational value of its FlexSelect Architecture, Ciena’s Ethernet solutions maximize existing network and management infrastructure to transition today’s networks to Ethernet, while controlling costs and enabling the delivery of any service over Ethernet. Underpinning this blueprint for Carrier Ethernet network design are two new series of Ethernet-based platforms - the 3000 Ethernet Access Series and 5000 Packet Services Series.

Since its launch two years ago, Ciena’s FlexSelect Architecture has been implemented by telco and cable service providers, enterprises and government organizations across the globe as a foundation for practical migration to software-defined, service-enabled transport networks. The FlexSelect for Ethernet solution builds on that approach to network transition using Ethernet as a vehicle for more cost-effective network and service convergence - fulfilling performance, management and economic requirements for convergence while simplifying IP/Ethernet service architectures. Ciena’s approach eliminates the boundaries of Ethernet service coverage and scale, makes Carrier Ethernet as resilient, deterministic and manageable as circuit networks, and provides up to one-third lower total cost of ownership than alternative solutions.

“Carriers are looking closely at connection-oriented Ethernet from edge to core, and the vendor community is rallying in response,” said Jason Marcheck, principal optical infrastructure analyst at Current Analysis. “To be successful in the burgeoning Ethernet transport game, vendor solutions need to take a comprehensive approach to network migration, including protocol flexibility, ease of management and service-aware transport capabilities. Ciena’s FlexSelect Architecture, with its Ethernet-optimized solutions, including the new 3000 Ethernet Access Series and CN 5060™ Multiservice Carrier Ethernet Platform, puts Ciena in good position to deliver on these emerging carrier requirements.”

The key to Ciena’s FlexSelect Architecture is its success-based approach to network convergence. Driven by reprogrammable hardware, end-to-end service-level management and multi-layer network optimization, this approach enables customers to transition networks in direct alignment to revenue opportunity. The FlexSelect for Ethernet enhancements continue that tradition using innovative Ciena technology to simplify and optimize the delivery of IP and Ethernet services over any access media and enable the convergence of any service over deterministic, connection-oriented Ethernet transport, including:

o Mesh-based, multi-layer control plane - enabling self-healing, network automation and performance optimization for Ethernet networks.

o Multi-layer network and service level management - enabling proactive network planning, fault isolation and SLA reporting for Ethernet services.

o Integration of Ethernet, enhanced OTN and reconfigurable DWDM - enabling reliable, flexible, cost-effective and manageable carrier solutions that surpass the reliability and management of any native Ethernet switched or IP-routed solution.

o Wavelength flexibility - optimizing bandwidth utilization by allocating as much or as little capacity to Ethernet and other services as needed within a wavelength, including built-in granular, sub-wavelength switching down to 155 Mbps level to maximize bandwidth utilization.

Leveraging global leadership in high-performance transport networks to drive performance-grade, converged Carrier Ethernet infrastructure and services, Ciena’s FlexSelect for Ethernet solution brings additional value to key applications already addressed by the FlexSelect Architecture, including SONET/SDH to Ethernet migration, MEF-compliant Ethernet business services, triple play and broadband aggregation, wireless backhaul, storage extension and other high-growth residential and business applications. Key building blocks of Ciena’s FlexSelect for Ethernet solution include:

o 3000 Ethernet Access Series - new products that expand the service coverage of Ethernet to all business locations, whether served by copper or fiber network connections, on-net or off-net, while providing remote network monitoring and services control. Includes both network termination equipment on customer premises and network-based aggregators [see related announcement: “Ciena Announces 3000 Ethernet Access Series Providing Access over Any Media for Carrier Ethernet Service Delivery”].

o 4000 Transport and Switching Series - includes Ciena’s Ethernet-optimized, OTN-based CN 4200™ FlexSelect Advanced Services Platform Family, with additional multiservice aggregation and transport products in the series to be added featuring Ciena’s industry-first multiservice programmable hardware for on-demand, service-selectable networking.

o 5000 Packet Services Series - new products for high-performance business services, residential broadband and 2G/3G wireless backhaul. The first product introduced is the new CN 5060 Multiservice Carrier Ethernet Platform that optimizes delivery of any service over Ethernet as a cost-effective transition to highly-reliable, converged packet switching in metro and edge aggregation networks [see related announcement: “Ciena Announces CN 5060 Multiservice Carrier Ethernet Platform for Efficient Aggregation and Delivery of Any Service over Ethernet”].

These access, metro and service edge product series are complemented in Ciena’s FlexSelect Architecture by the Company’s market-leading core switching and transport products, the CoreDirector® Multiservice Switch and CoreStream® Agility Optical Transport System. These products already offer key Ethernet functionality, such as CoreDirector’s Ethernet Services line modules, and will continue to evolve to support dynamic, OTN-based 100G mesh core transport networks optimized for IP/Ethernet services.

“The Ethernet enhancements to our FlexSelect Architecture result in the first comprehensive solution to address Carrier Ethernet across network segments. Our flexible, service-aware portfolio and intelligent control plane eliminate the cost, scalability and management challenges of alternatives such as standalone Ethernet switches, data upgrades to legacy SONET/SDH equipment or proliferating routers everywhere,” said Gary Smith, president and CEO of Ciena. “By integrating packet transport, expanding Ethernet access market coverage and bringing traditional resiliency and management to Ethernet networks, we are moving beyond point products to create robust, end-to-end Carrier Ethernet networks that enable service providers to evolve Ethernet from a network building block to a foundation for building their business.”

Further information about Ciena’s FlexSelect Architecture and new Ethernet enhancements can be found on Ciena’s website at www.ciena.com/ethernet.

ABOUT CIENA

Ciena Corporation is the network specialist, focused on expanding the possibilities for its customers’ networks while reducing their cost of ownership. The company’s systems, software and services target and cure specific network pain points so that telcos, cable operators, governments and enterprises can best exploit the new applications that are driving their businesses forward.

NOTE TO INVESTORS

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements are based on information available to the Company as of the date hereof; and Ciena’s actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied, due to risks and uncertainties associated with its business, which include the risk factors disclosed in its Report on Form 10-K, which Ciena filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 10, 2007. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding Ciena’s expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future and can be identified by forward-looking words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “should,” “will,” and “would” or similar words. Ciena assumes no obligation to update the information included in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Contact Information

Nicole Anderson

Press Contact

Ciena Corporation

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