DFN Uses Riverstone Routers to Prove Viability of 10-Gig, VPLS-Based Carrier Ethernet for Advanced Applications SANTA CLARA, Calif., March 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Riverstone Networks (Pink Sheets: RSTN) today announced that Germany's national research and education network, Deutsches Forschungsnetz (DFN), is successfully using Riverstone 15008 Ethernet Edge Routers in the VIOLA testbed to deliver advanced, high-speed grid applications using Ethernet-based VPLS technology. Riverstone's routers are linking together five institutions in three German cities: Research Centre Julich; Caesar Bonn; University of Bonn; Fraunhofer Institutes, Sankt Augustin; and FH Bonn-Rhile-Sieg, Sankt Augustin. The experiment -- part of DFN's multi-vendor, multi-layer testbed, VIOLA -- proves that today's VPLS-based carrier Ethernet networks are a technologically sound and reliable alternative to SDH or IP for the delivery of high-speed, bandwidth-intensive applications, such as virtual reality and shared computer simulations, across multiple metro areas. This validates the use of VPLS for large scale, mission-critical deployments. "DFN is eager to study the VPLS-features of the Riverstone routers in the VIOLA-testbed," explained Peter Kaufman, Project Manager at DFN. "We are especially interested in seeing how VPLS performs compared to SDH-based network services. Performance, scaling and reliability are important aspects for testing." T-Systems, one of the world's largest service providers, is operating the DFN-led VIOLA project, which is developing a next-generation network linking 600 German research and education institutions comprising 1.5 million users. The network is designed to deliver state-of-the-art computer applications, furthering the country's academic pursuits. Because applications found in such testbeds such as VIOLA are often adopted by service providers for mainstream use, the results of the project provide a glimpse into the future of carrier networking. The Riverstone 15008 is an MPLS-based, 10-gig carrier Ethernet Edge router that is optimized for the fast-growing market for residential and commercial Ethernet services. The most recent addition to Riverstone's comprehensive portfolio of carrier Ethernet solutions, it employs a unique modular operating software system for unmatched reliability. Introduced in June 2004, the Riverstone 15008 is already being used in some of the world's most watched deployments, including PCCW in Hong Kong and UTOPIA, the largest municipal Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) project in the U.S. Riverstone will feature the 15008 Ethernet Edge Router at CeBIT, March 10-16, Hall 12, Stand A66. Riverstone Networks, Inc. is a leading provider of carrier Ethernet infrastructure solutions for business and residential communications services. Riverstone's Ethernet router portfolio uniquely delivers the reliability that allows carriers to meet the triple play -- voice, video and data -- service requirements of their customers in a cost-effective and scalable way. Riverstone allows carriers to offer new services over existing revenue-generating networks permitting them to evolve to a next generation Ethernet infrastructure. Except for the historical information and statements of present facts contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release, including without limitation statements regarding the future adoption of applications by service providers that might lead to more widespread purchases of Riverstone's products are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include the decisions of data and telecommunications service providers not to deploy applications or services that cause them to purchase Riverstone products, along with those risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in Riverstone Networks' SEC reports, including the reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K filed on September 2, 2004. The Company assumes no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements. Riverstone Contact: Amy Huitt Riverstone Networks, 408-878-6918 Agency Contact: Ortrud Wenzel Fleishman Hillard 49-89-230-31683 DATASOURCE: Riverstone Networks, Inc. CONTACT: Amy Huitt of Riverstone Networks, +1-408-878-6918, or ; or Ortrud Wenzel of Fleishman Hillard, 49-89-230-31683, or , for Riverstone Networks Web site: http://www.riverstonenet.com/

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