ALLENTOWN, PA -- Agere Systems (NYSE: AGR.A), the world leader in communications components, and Intoto, Inc., a leading provider of secure gateway software to network OEMs and processor vendors, will build a fully integrated network security system using Agere's PayloadPlus(R)(TM) family of network processors and Intoto's iGateway(TM) Firewall and virtual private network (VPN) security solutions. The new security system solution is targeted to next-generation metropolitan optical networks. Embedded security has become a requirement in high-performance gateway equipment for communications networks, including enterprise VPN and firewall applications, access routers, multi-service switch gateway equipment, Internet protocol (IP) and multi-protocol label switching (MPLS) routers. IPSec is the dominant Internet security protocol in these applications. "Intoto's proven track record in IPSec implementation and Agere's expertise in deep-packet, multi-protocol, programmable processing means our customers will get the best-of-breed security with high-performance network processors in a single, integrated package," said Ford Tamer, vice president of the processing, aggregation and switching group at Agere Systems. "Working together, we'll make it easier for customers to accelerate their time-to-market and improve ROI." The agreement between Agere Systems and Intoto, Inc. encompasses several technologies that will be combined with Agere's network processors through Intoto software products. They include VPN, Firewall, MPLS software and ATM protocol stacks for voice applications. Agere's network processors will have the capability to enable VPN and 3G network software applications while Intoto will extend its security solutions via the market-leading PayloadPlus family of network processors for OC-48c to OC-192c bandwidths. "This is a perfect marriage between two leaders in their respective areas," said Sathyan Iyengar, president and CEO of Intoto, Inc. "Our relationship with Agere Systems extends our security solutions into the metro optical network edge and core where the need for integrated secure network processor solutions continues to grow." "Network processing solutions which integrate proven chip hardware with security software are key to accelerating time-to-market for network system OEMs," said John Metz, principal analyst and founder, of Metz International, a Boston-based consultancy. "The combination of Agere's PayloadPlus family of network processors with Intoto's iGateway will enable system vendors to more quickly provide the kind of comprehensive, high-performance security functionality to the products their customers are looking for." Agere's PayloadPlus solution provides hardware and software for next-generation, higher-performance Internet infrastructure from OC-48c to OC-192c and beyond. The highly programmable PayloadPlus processors enable enterprise, datacom and telecom equipment manufacturers to build flexible infrastructure equipment, in turn allowing service providers to introduce new services and billing arrangements in less time. The PayloadPlus chip set consists of three chips: the Fast Pattern Processor (FPP), the Routing Switch Processor (RSP) and the Agere System Interface (ASI). Agere has also announced a co-processor called the Voice Packet Processor (VPP) for AAL2 voice termination and sub-channel switching applications. For more information visit www.agere.com