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TRADE NEWS: Agilent Technologies Announces Fiber Optic Transceivers for 4 Gb/s Fibre Channel; New Products Targeted at Emerging Storage Networking Standard

Posted on: Tuesday, 10 February 2004, 06:00 CST

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE:A) today announced fiber optic transceivers targeted at 4 Gb/s Fibre Channel applications. The small-form factor (SFF) and small-form factor pluggable (SFP) devices support next-generation storage networks based on the emerging 4 Gb/s standard, which is expected to be the next performance level for Fibre Channel storage networks. ¶ Agilent is the world leader in fiber optic components, and is a leading provider of 2 Gb/s transceivers for Fibre Channel networks. The new 4 Gb/s devices include internally developed ICs and VCSEL (vertical cavity surface emitting laser) lasers. This vertical integration gives customers enhanced performance and assurance of both supply and quality. For example, Agilent's electrical bandwidth switchable IC enables the new transceivers to support the 4-, 2-, and 1-gigabit Fibre Channel auto-negotiation algorithm. ¶"As the world's number-one supplier of fiber optic components, our customers expect us to be on the forefront of new technologies," said Tom Fawcett, worldwide marketing manager for Agilent's Fiber Optic Products Division. "These new transceivers deliver all the benefits that people associate with Agilent transceivers -- high quality, assurance of supply and advanced functionality."¶ Agilent is developing a broad suite of products to enable the emerging 4 Gb/s Fibre Channel market, including Tachyon Fibre Channel controller and loop switch ICs, as well as protocol and physical layer test equipment. Agilent expects to announce all the new products within the first half of 2004.

¶ Availability

¶ Agilent is offering both SFF (AFBR-59R5L) and SFP (AFBR-57R5P) devices for multimode fiber. The company is also developing SFP single-mode devices for 10-, 35- and 70-km link distances. Agilent is sampling the new transceivers now. Full availability is expected in mid-2004. Pricing for the devices will be set when they are fully introduced. For more information, visit www.agilent.com/view/networking.

¶ About Agilent Technologies

¶ Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE:A) is a global technology leader in communications, electronics, life sciences and chemical analysis. The company's 29,000 employees serve customers in more than 110 countries. Agilent had net revenue of $6.1 billion in fiscal year 2003. Information about Agilent is available on the Web at www.agilent.com.

¶ Forward-Looking Statements

¶ This news release contains forward-looking statements (including, without limitation, statements relating to Agilent's plans to 1) develop a broad suite of products to enable the emerging 4Gb/s Fibre Channel market, including Tachyon Fibre Channel controller and loop switch ICs, as well as protocol and physical layer test equipment; and 2) announce all of the new products within the first half of 2004) that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause results to differ materially from management's current expectations. These and other risks are detailed in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Oct. 31, 2002, its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 31, 2003, and its Current Report on Form 8-K filed Nov. 18, 2003. The company assumes no obligation to update the information in this press release.

¶ NOTE TO EDITORS: Further technology, corporate citizenship and executive news is available on the Agilent news site at www.agilent.com/go/news.

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