ALTERPOINT ENHANCES NETWORK CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT SOLUTION.

AlterPoint, Inc., a provider of enterprise network configuration management (NCM) solutions, has introduced the DeviceAuthority Suite, a bundling of three NCM products that include the DeviceAuthority Audit Module, DeviceAuthority Update Module and the DeviceAuthority Server. New technologies in the suite such as the Integrated Network Environment (INE) and the AlterPoint AutoScriptor, enable network managers to efficiently manage changes occurring across their networks in a flexible, reliable and safe manner. The DeviceAuthority Suite leverages and extends the existing tools, processes and interfaces currently used in enterprise networking environments, allowing rapid deployment to provide immediate benefits to the organization.

"The DeviceAuthority Suite is developed around customer demand for a comprehensive solution that solves the problem of managing multi-vendor device configurations across enterprise networks," said Jeffrey Ait, president and CEO, AlterPoint. "We believe its broad functionality and ability to deliver immediate ROI are unparalleled in the market."

The DeviceAuthority Suite is comprised of the DeviceAuthority Audit Module, DeviceAuthority Update Module and the DeviceAuthority Server:

-- DeviceAuthority Audit Module -- Provides visibility and reporting into network device details including hardware, software and configuration information. With real-time change detection and correlation, the module provides detailed inventory, compliance and change reporting, as well as fast troubleshooting and one-click recovery.

-- DeviceAuthority Update Module -- Enables efficient, reliable and secure implementation of changes throughout the enterprise network. Built on AlterPoint's Integrated Network Environment (INE), the module eliminates error-prone scripting through its AutoScriptor technology and facilitates the change implementation process through built-in workflow, validation and configuration searching.

-- DeviceAuthority Server -- The foundation of the DeviceAuthority Suite provides a secure centralized repository and user control. The DeviceAuthority Server provides a core set of services that are leveraged by the Audit Module and Update Module. Extensive multi-vendor support and integration with enterprise management systems ensure a comprehensive perspective of the network.

Key features include:

-- Integrated Network Environment (INE) -- Designed to handle real-time interaction and feedback, the INE integrates the tools, applications and interfaces commonly used by network engineers into a single, centralized workspace.

-- AlterPoint AutoScriptor -- An automated script generator that records specific device interactions and automatically generates executable code, resulting in reduced errors and greater efficiency.

-- Real-Time Change Identification -- Automatic detection of device changes through Syslog/SNMP Traps, TACACS+/Radius and HP OpenView Network Node Manager (NNM), allowing rapid identification and response to changes that could lead to potential security and performance risks.

-- Change Definition Templates -- Enables users to implement mass network device changes through a best-practice workflow, which includes validation, verification and interactive feedback, delivering more resourceful configuration changes.

-- Expanded Multi-Vendor Support -- The addition of three new vendors and 65 models brings DeviceAuthority's coverage to 20 network device manufacturers and over 340 device models, the most extensive support in the industry.

-- Automated Inventory, Compliance and Change Reporting -- Offers predefined and customizable reports so network managers can obtain insights into the hardware, software and configuration details for each network device.

-- Integration with Enterprise Management Systems -- Provides out-of-the-box integration with network management solutions, including HP OpenView NNM. Additionally, rapid custom integration may be built to other enterprise management solutions through a set of open APIs that are built on standard protocols.

"Configuration Management isn't just about servers and applications -- network device configurations must be proactively included in this process, too," said Debra Curtis, research director, Gartner. "By using software to document and automate network device configuration management, you can gather a baseline of current configurations, audit changes, rollback to previous known good configurations in the event of a disaster, perform a risk assessment or impact analysis of planned changes and implement changes more efficiently."

Homestore, Inc., a provider of real estate media and technology solutions, selected DeviceAuthority to simplify the management of their network. The solution allows Homestore's networking team to quickly identify, understand and respond to device configuration changes throughout the network.

"With millions of page hits and hundreds of thousands of unique visitors per day, it is critical that our network is up and running," said Vincent Stephens, network manager, Homestore, Inc. "When it comes to the management of our network we look to implement the most innovative and effective technologies on the market, which is why we selected DeviceAuthority. Its audit reporting capabilities provide us with a global view into the changes occurring throughout the network, which in turn, assists Homestore in maintaining peak performance and availability -- that is very valuable and something every network manager needs."

Pricing and Availability

Prices for the DeviceAuthority Suite (includes DeviceAuthority Server, DeviceAuthority Audit Module and DeviceAuthority Update Module) start at $19,950 for 100 devices, while the DeviceAuthority Audit Module (includes DeviceAuthority Server) starts at $5,000 for 50 devices, and the DeviceAuthority Update Module starts at $7,500 for 50 devices. Volume-based discounts are also available.

About AlterPoint

AlterPoint is a provider of network configuration management solutions for multi-vendor environments. AlterPoint solutions increase the availability, performance and security of enterprise networks by reducing network downtime, improving staff productivity and lowering the cost of network device administration. AlterPoint is based in Austin, Texas.

AlterPoint can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.alterpoint.com.

For more information, call 512/536-8320 or 888/228-3422.