OPNET Modeler 7.0, IT DecisionGuru 7.0 Now Available to Help Wireless Service Providers Optimize Network Performance

WASHINGTON, DC -- May 1, 2000 -- OPNET Technologies, Inc., a developer of intelligent network management software, today announced that Modeler 7.0 and IT DecisionGuru 7.0 are now available, offering wireless service providers an enhanced level of speed, scalability and reality in network simulations designed to predict the performance of wireless networks under a wide range of potential scenarios.

"Our simulation software reduces design and operating risks for wireless service providers by providing a view into the future performance of current and proposed networks," said Marc Cohen, OPNET's Chairman and CEO. "We enable service providers to understand the impact of potential network modifications and weigh the costs and benefits before changes are implemented or concepts are turned into reality. This predictive capability enables network architects and operations managers to more confidently and effectively optimize application performance and network capacity."

IT DecisionGuru is focused on the network and networked applications while Modeler is focused on devices and protocols. IT DecisionGuru enables service providers to more effectively design and deploy networks by predicting the performance of those networks as well as the applications they support. Modeler enables network equipment manufacturers to accelerate the design and development of network equipment and gives service providers an understanding of the communication protocols required for network operation.

Technical Enhancements Improve Speed, Performance

Modeler 7.0 and IT DecisionGuru 7.0 are each able to run single simulations in parallel on multiple CPUs. Wireless transmissions can potentially be received by a very large number of recipients. Modeling every possible connection can be a cumbersome, time-intensive task that consumes up to 90 percent of the simulation run time. Spreading that processing across multiple CPUs accelerates simulations significantly.

Version 7.0 also introduces dynamic receiver group (DRG) management of transceiver links during simulations. The software reduces computation time by selectively calculating radio link effects between transmitters and receivers. The combination of parallel processing and DRG management provides users with faster simulations and increases the scalability of simulated wireless environments.

Simulations Account for Environmental Conditions

Version 7.0 gives users the option to add environmental conditions, such as Earth topography, urban construction and weather, to their network models. Because these factors can have a significant impact on the performance of wireless services, they add an important level of precision to wireless network simulation results.

The user interface in Version 7.0 has also been enhanced, allowing users to add relevant graphics, such as building blueprints, maps and systems designs, to the background of Modeler and IT DecisionGuru simulations. This provides a visual context for the user and assists in assessing performance variations relative to the physical environment.

Test Drive Real-World Applications on Virtual Prototypes

The new Application Characterization Environment (ACE) enables service providers, application developers, and IT planners to determine how an application will perform when deployed over proposed equipment and exposed to varying transaction loads. ACE enables users to acquire a "fingerprint" of any application by importing traces from network analyzers. ACE breaks down application transactions and provides a graphical representation of client, network, and server interactions. Version 7.0 can then simulate the performance of the application when deployed over any wireless infrastructure. With this capability, service providers can assess end-to-end service performance within the context of specific service-level requirements.

About OPNET Technologies, Inc.

The OPNET family of intelligent network management software enables our customers to optimize the performance and maximize the availability of communications networks and networked applications. The OPNET product suite combines predictive simulations and a comprehensive understanding of networking technologies to enable network professionals to more effectively design and deploy networks, diagnose network and application performance problems, and predict the impact of proposed network modifications.

The flagship products are: OPNET IT DecisionGuru, enabling service providers and enterprises to more effectively design and deploy networks and to predict the performance of their networks and applications; OPNET Modeler, enabling network equipment manufacturers to accelerate the design and development of network equipment and communication protocols; and OPNET Netbiz, accelerating the sales process for service providers and network equipment manufacturers by automating network design and proposal generation.

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Note to editors: The word OPNET is spelled with all upper-case letters.

OPNET Media Contact:
Margarita Castillo
OPNET Technologies, Inc.
(240) 497-3000
Media@opnet.com
www.opnet.com

OPNET Investor Relations:
Mel Wesley
OPNET Technologies
(240) 497-3000
ir@opnet.com
www.opnet.com