Spirent Communications Introduces Its Power over Ethernet Test System

ROCKVILLE, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 6, 2004--

Comprehensive, Standalone PoE Test System Enables Ethernet Switch Makers to Go Beyond Pass/Fail Testing in Assuring Standby Power for VoIP Devices

“Ethernet switch makers are giving enterprises the confidence that their networks will stay up even under a power outage, and Spirent is helping the switch makers deliver that capability”

Spirent Communications(TM) (NYSE:SPM) (LSE:SPT) today announced the Power Sync Analyzer, a platform dedicated to testing Power over Ethernet (PoE) IEEE 802.3af compliant devices. PoE devices enable a mission-critical capability that provides standby power over Ethernet networks for IP phones, IP PBXs and other voice over IP (VoIP) devices whenever main power outages occur. Developed by Sifos Technologies Inc. in partnership with Spirent Communications, the Power Sync Analyzer is used to verify product conformance to the IEEE 802.3af PoE standard.

"With the Power Sync Analyzer, we have combined depth, simplicity and mobility in a single tester," said David Lucia, President, Sifos Technologies. "With Spirent, we are delivering a high quality, out of the box test system to any engineer who needs to validate their PoE products and networks."

As telephone calling migrates from circuit-switched to IP-based networks, businesses and carriers must assure that telephone services continue uninterrupted during power outages. Requirements for Emergency 911 calling makes this capability a safety and regulatory as well as a business mandate. Circuit-switched networks historically have solved this challenge by powering phones over the network. With the advent of VoIP, enabling Ethernet switches to deliver local battery backup power over the network to end-user devices has emerged as a common approach to solving this issue. PoE, therefore, is becoming a standard feature of Ethernet switches.

"Ethernet switch makers are giving enterprises the confidence that their networks will stay up even under a power outage, and Spirent is helping the switch makers deliver that capability," said Mark Fishburn, vice president strategy for Spirent Communications.

Spirent's new highly portable Power Sync Analyzer is unique as it goes a step beyond early to market, add-on testing components that provide only pass/fail PoE attribute tests. The Power Sync Analyzer provides high resolution, parameter-by-parameter variables testing that produce discrete measurements of the device's PoE signal performance and conformance. All 21 of the PoE functions specified by the IEEE 802.3af standard can be measured and automatically compared to nominals and tolerance bandwidths. The combined parametric and pass/fail options make the Power Sync Analyzer useful in the research and development for functional test and waveform analysis, as well as regression testing in the final phase of product development. Measurements may be taken over time with specialized sampling techniques providing a unique capability to perform user-designed and negative tests. The Power Sync Analyzer can test conformance of the PSE equipment to all four of the different PoE device power classifications to protect against damage by providing excessive power for the device class rating.

In equipment manufacturing applications, the Power Sync Analyzer may be used to automate product integrity verification with test suites that produce automated, color-graphic, statistical test reports that facilitate the implementation of the Power Sync Analyzer in manufacturing.

The Power Sync Analyzer comprises a programmable system for direct measurements of power, current, voltage, rise time, duration, signaling behavior and other physical and signaling protocol-related parameters. And, with the ability to test up to 30 watts per port, critical for maximum stress and load tests for PoE powered devices, Spirent has raised the bar in total power measurement capacity.

About Spirent Communications

Spirent Communications (www.spirentcom.com) is a global provider of integrated performance analysis and service assurance systems that enable the development and deployment of next-generation networking technology such as Internet Telephony, broadband services, 3G wireless, global navigation satellite systems, and network security equipment. More than 1,500 customers in 30 countries, including the world's largest equipment manufacturers, service providers, enterprises and governments, use Spirent's solutions. Based in Rockville, Maryland, Spirent Communications reported 2003 revenue of $394 million and has 1,800 employees worldwide. The company is the largest business group of Spirent plc, traded on the London and New York Stock Exchanges (LSE:SPT) (NYSE:SPM) (CUSIP number: 84856M209). www.spirent.com. Spirent Communications' sales to the United States government are made through Spirent Federal Systems. www.spirentfederal.com

This press release may contain forward-looking statements that are based on current expectations or beliefs, as well as assumptions about future events. By their nature, forward-looking statements are inherently predictive, speculative and involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are not a guarantee of future performance and are subject to factors that could cause Spirent's actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these statements. These risks include the risks described from time to time in Spirent's SEC periodic reports and filings. We undertake no obligation to update our forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.