F5 Networks' BIG-IP Application Switch Wins CMP Media LLC's Network

    Business Editors/Technology Writers
    Interop 2005

    LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 4, 2005--F5 Networks, Inc. (Nasdaq:FFIV):

    -- After rigorous real world testing of Application Front-End
    (AFE) and Content Switching solutions, Network Computing
    recognizes BIG-IP as overall best-in-class and backs its
    results by purchasing F5 solution for CMP Media Worldwide

    F5 Networks, Inc. (Nasdaq:FFIV), the global leader in Application Traffic Management, today announced that BIG-IP(R) 6400 has been named the winner in the category of 'Content Switch' by CMP Media LLC's Network Computing, beating out all other Application Front Ends (AFEs) and enterprise Content Switches combined.
    "The Well-Connected Awards are the only industry awards given by technologists based on real-world product testing and evaluation. These awards take the pulse of the technology industry and reflect the best of solutions offered to IT," said Fritz Nelson, VP and Group Publisher of the Network Computing Enterprise Architecture Group. "This is an important distinction from any other award program. The products selected in the Well Connected Awards are unique because they have been graded with the same criteria IT professionals use to make purchasing decisions. These solutions are truly the most outstanding products and services available."
    "Being recognized with Network Computing's Well-Connected Award is significant and further confirmation of F5's technological leadership and superior business value," said Erik Giesa, Vice President, Product Management and Marketing at F5 Networks. "We've established and built on F5's unique TM/OS architecture and iRules scripting and programming language. Today, this capability provides the foundation for F5's unique application fluency and flexibility. Customers point to F5's powerful solutions as the key components for delivering a new level of application acceleration, security, and availability for the WAN as well as the LAN."
    The winners of the Network Computing Well-Connected Awards were revealed at a ceremony during the industry's most influential conferences, Networld+Interop 2005 Las Vegas. All winners will be highlighted on Network Computing Online at http://www.networkcomputing.com.

    About Network Computing

    For IT, By IT, Network Computing (http://www.networkcomputing.com), published by CMP Media LLC, Manhasset, N.Y., is dedicated to providing critical analysis of technologies, vendors and products to 220,000 IT Managers and Staff who are accountable for strategic technology purchase decisions. In 2003, Network Computing won a total of four awards from the American Society of Business Publications Editors (ASBPE), including a national award in the Best Technical Article category.

    About F5 Networks

    F5 enables organizations to successfully deliver business-critical applications and gives them the greatest level of agility to stay ahead of growing business demands. As the pioneer and global leader in Application Traffic Management, F5 continues to lead the industry by driving more intelligence into the network to deliver advanced application agility. F5 products ensure the secure and optimized delivery of applications to any user -- anywhere. Through its flexible and cohesive architecture, F5 delivers unmatched value by dramatically improving the way organizations serve their employees, customers and constituents, while lowering operational costs. Over 9,000 organizations and service providers worldwide trust F5 to keep their businesses running. The company is headquartered in Seattle, Washington with offices worldwide. For more information go to www.f5.com.

    All brands, names, or trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners.

    This press release may contain forward looking statements relating to future events or future financial performance that involve risks and uncertainties. Such statements can be identified by terminology such as "may," "will," "should," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts", "potential" or "continue" or the negative of such terms or comparable terms. These statements are only predictions and actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these statements based upon a number of factors including those identified in the Company's filings with the SEC.

--30--APS/se*

CONTACT: F5 Networks, Inc. Alane Moran, 206/272-6850 a.moran@f5.com or Connect Public Relations Holly Hagerman, 801/373-7888 hollyh@connectpr.com

KEYWORD: NEVADA WASHINGTON TRACK INDUSTRY KEYWORD: HARDWARE NETWORKING TRADESHOW SOURCE: F5 Networks, Inc.

Copyright Business Wire 2005