PR releases

Trapeze Networks announces the Open Access Point Initiative

D-Link Delivers First Fully Compatible Access Point in the Trapeze Networks Open Access Point Initiative

PLEASANTON, Calif. - March 14, 2005  - Trapeze Networks™, maker of award-winning wireless local area networking (WLAN) systems, today announced the Open Access Point Initiative (OAPI) to make third party access points (APs) compatible with Trapeze Mobility Exchange™ switches and to allow third party software to be integrated into Trapeze Mobility Points™.   D-Link® is the first to deliver a fully compatible business-class access point.   They are an important Trapeze partner that will deliver a number of APs that are fully compatible with Trapeze equipment.

"The Trapeze Open Access Point Initiative lets customers like us add crucial functionality to our first-generation access points, thereby safeguarding our initial investment," said Chris Hessing, head of wireless networks at the University of Utah. "The decision by Trapeze to start this initiative will have a lasting, positive impact on customers."

Through the Open Access Point Initiative Trapeze will bring capabilities available with its own Mobility Points including features such as full configuration and management with Ringmaster™, network wide fast roaming (based on 802.11i Pairwise Master Key Caching), Identity Based Networking, VLANs over the air, location services, rogue detection, complete management statistics and more to third party APs including the D-Link access point. Future OAPI developments will also allow customers to get more value out of their existing installed base of third party APs.

Software is a central part of the value proposition in WLANs today.  OAPI leverages Trapeze's unique modular, layered, Mobility Point software architecture to enable compatibility with third party APs and to accommodate new services in the AP such as additional security features or enhanced location capabilities.

OAPI future proofs Trapeze wireless networks by introducing a software layer that abstracts the radio technology, erasing any hardware dependencies.  This means that Trapeze wireless networks can be radio agnostic.  As new radio technologies become available they are easily accommodated in Trapeze software architecture.

OAPI also has a built in migration path to new standards based protocols for AP to switch communications.  As new standards such as CAPWAP are finalised they will be embedded in the Trapeze Mobility System Software™.

"We decided to launch an initiative to promote compatibility with third party APs because it is good for customers, good for partners and good for our business" said Dan Simone, chief technology officer of Trapeze Networks.  "Customers win because they'll get choices and a migration path for their installed base, partners win because they get access to feature rich AP code and a highly scalable WLAN switch network architecture and Trapeze wins because we can broaden our customer base.

"D-Link is committed to the delivery of compatible enterprise wireless networking hardware and software solutions that provide advanced connectivity for workstations and devices seamlessly," said A.J. Wang, chief technology officer for D-Link. "Now is the right time to partner with an enterprise-level software vender like Trapeze, as they have complementary capabilities that assist in the delivery of high value solutions for business."

Pricing and Availability
The first AP developed under this partnership will be available in April of this year.  Pricing has not yet been finalised.

About Trapeze Networks
Trapeze Networks delivers the power of business applications and services to the mobile enterprise workforce. The company's wireless LAN Mobility System enhances productivity, introduces new efficiencies and accelerates business response time by delivering secure mobility for roaming users and sophisticated services for both users and IT, all while offering the lowest total cost of ownership of any WLAN infrastructure provider. Trapeze announced a partnership with 3Com Corporation (NASDAQ: COMS) in August, 2004 and has been the recipient of eight industry awards, including InfoWorld's Technology of the Year award for the best WLAN Solution in 2004, in recognition of its product and technology strength. Founded in March 2002, Trapeze raised $50 million in venture funding to date and is headquartered in Pleasanton, Calif., U.S.A. For more information, please visit www.trapezenetworks.com