Hitachi Cable, Ltd. has tested the interconnection with a server in the ROUD series (*1) developed by IPnet Corporation (head office: Koto-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Yoshikatsu Shiraishi; hereinafter referred to as IPnet) and have verified normal operation. Also, we are pleased to inform you that IPnet will join our ongoing project, the Apresia(R) security alliance partner program, ''EnSEC.''

We have been providing various authentication and quarantine solutions based on Apresia(R) authenticating switches (*2). One such solution is a hardware authenticating system that prevents the connection of a bogus terminal assuming the status of a permitted terminal. This system consists of a RADIUS server (*3) to perform authentication with Apresia(R), and the terminal authentication software RegistGate (*4).

The ROUD series, which we have tested for connectibility with the Apresia(R) authentication switch, is a series of hardware authentication servers incorporating the core components of RegistGate. As such, installation of RegistGate in a generic server is no longer required. Further, since the RADIUS server functions are incorporated as well, a hardware authentication system can be more simply constructed, as compared with conventional systems-all that's needed is to combine the Apresia(R) authentication switch with a server of the ROUD series. Our recommendation of servers from the ROUD series is based on results which were obtained in connectibility tests as regards Apresia(R).

Moreover, IPnet will join our security alliance partner program, ''EnSEC.'' This program aims at providing a flexible response to ever-diversifying security needs, and utilizes sophisticated linkages between Apresia(R) and various other devices, software, and services. More than 20 companies have expressed interest in joining this program, and we plan to encourage even more companies to participate.

We at Hitachi Cable, Ltd., through utilization of current sales channels of our EnSEC and Apresia(R) partners, intend to further expand our market share of Ethernet (*5) switches for service providers and other enterprises. Sales of the Apresia(R) series for fiscal 2006(April. 2005-March.2006) are expected to reach around 13 billion yen.

*1	ROUD is a trademark of IPnet Corporation.
*2	Apresia is a registered trademark of Hitachi Cable, Ltd. in Japan.
*3	RADIUS is the abbreviation for Remote Authentication Dial-In User Services. RADIUS server allows or denies accesses based on user information stored in a database and keeps an access log.
*4	RegistGate is a registered trademark of NSI Co., Ltd.
*5	Ethernet is a registered trademark of Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. Other company names and product names mentioned herein are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.