Top Layer Networks: Top Layer Networks receives patent for high- speed system of network traffic identification, management and security; ASIC-based architecture and method that identifies users and applications at OSI Layer 7 is faster and more intelligent than any other method

M2 PRESSWIRE-12 July 2001-Top Layer Networks: Top Layer Networks receives patent for high-speed system of network traffic identification, management and security; ASIC-based architecture and method that identifies users and applications at OSI Layer 7 is faster and more intelligent than any other method (C)1994-2001 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Top Layer Networks, a company specializing in high speed, high performance network security, today announced that it has received a patent for the technology and process that the company has utilized in its products that defend today's gigabit speed corporate networks from security threats. Top Layer's products protect IP networks from denial of service attacks; accelerate and enhance the performance of network intrusion detection systems; load- balance and improve the effectiveness of firewalls; and gather highly detailed information on network traffic and security events for forensic and management analysis. The United States Patent and Trademark Office issued U.S. Patent No. 6,226,267 to Top Layer on May 1, 2001. Titled "System and Process for Application-Level Flow Connection of Data Processing Networks," the patent covers a system of Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) and their method of operation that has been commercialized as the architecture of Top Layer's AppSwitch(tm) and AppSafe(tm) product lines. Top Layer AS 3500 hardware products serve as integration points for the high speed, multi-tiered security configurations required by today's communications networks. "The ability to identify, at speeds that keep pace with today's extremely fast IP network traffic, the application flows that cross the network, along with their users, origins and intended targets, is the key to building a reliable network infrastructure," said Barry Spinney, Top Layer's founder and vice president of engineering. "This ability has proven to be the linchpin of Top Layer's success in the security arena, and its flexibility and versatility make it applicable to a number of other uses as well." "This patent is extremely important for Top Layer and all who are associated with the company. It recognizes and protects the intellectual property that the Top Layer team has invested substantial resources to invent and develop over the years," added Dean Hickman-Smith, managing director, Top Layer Networks. Jay Patel, senior analyst at the Yankee Group, noted "The natural progression for today's IP networks is from providing simple switching and routing functions to more value-added services such as firewall, intrusion detection, network monitoring, content-aware networking, load balancing, VPN and so on. The switching mechanisms that consider information above the network layer and at the application layers are becoming increasingly important in order to implement these new services and service differentiation." Patel continued, "The network has to be designed so that it can perform these functions at the wire-speed and do it on a dynamic basis for constantly evolving and changing standards and protocols. This entails complex and deep packet processing from hardwired co- processors or ASICs in order to augment the functions a network processor or general purpose CPU does to enable the services described above. Novel approaches like Top Layer's are required to switch connections between data packet flows according to the application layer information on the data packets. More advances like these will open the floodgates to provide value-added services at cost-effective prices." The full patent document may be found on the web at: http://164.195.100.11/netahtml/srchnum.htm. About Top Layer Networks, Inc. Founded in 1997, Top Layer Networks designs and produces security hardware and software products that enable its customers to implement a comprehensive approach to Protection, Detection, and Containment throughout their high speed, high performance networks. Companies using the ASIC-based AppSwitch(tm) and AppSafe(tm) from the AS 3500 family of products along with Top Layer's Adaptive Security(tm) software modules dramatically increase the efficacy of their network defenses and have access to detailed network information that is otherwise unattainable. Top Layer products counter a wide range of network threats. They protect the network against denial-of-service floods, detect criminal intruders and other damaging activity on corporate systems, and contain potential damage emanating from compromised systems through internally directed security strategies. Top Layer world headquarters is in Westboro, Massachusetts in the USA. The company has offices in Australia, Belgium, Germany, France, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, and the United Kingdom. Top Layer Networks has conducted in-depth research surrounding its respective technologies, which can be found at http://www.toplayer.com/research/index.html. Or, for more general information, visit www.TopLayer.com or email [email protected] CONTACT: Barrie Desmond/Gemma Thomas, Multimedia PR & Marketing Tel: [phone] e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] Dean Hickman-Smith, Top Layer Networks Tel: [phone] e-mail: [email protected] ((M2 Communications Ltd disclaims all liability for information provided within M2 PressWIRE. Data supplied by named party/parties. Further information on M2 PressWIRE can be obtained at http://www.presswire.net on the world wide web. Inquiries to [email protected])).