API Launches Strategic Business Unit to Focus on Internet Infrastructure Market

API Launches Strategic Business Unit to Focus on Internet Infrastructure Market

New API Networks Unit to Leverage Alpha Processor's High-Bandwidth Expertise for Next-Generation Networking Equipment

CONCORD, MASS., May 23, 2000 — Alpha Processor, Inc. (API) today announced the formation of a new strategic business unit, API Networks, dedicated to the Internet infrastructure market. The move positions the company to capture a growing share of demand for high-bandwidth hardware and software building blocks used in routers, switches and other networking equipment.

API Networks will draw directly on Alpha Processor's core engineering strength: the memory-bandwidth and I/O throughput advantages of the 64-bit Alpha 21264 processor family, already proven in the company's UP1000 and UP2000 motherboard lines. The new unit will focus that same high-bandwidth design expertise on silicon, reference designs and system-level products for network infrastructure OEMs, rather than the general-purpose Linux server market Alpha Processor has served to date.

The launch reflects the company's view that Internet traffic growth is outpacing the bandwidth available in conventional networking hardware, and that a dedicated business unit — with its own roadmap, sales channel and OEM relationships — is better positioned to move quickly in that market than a product line inside a broader motherboard business.

Alpha Processor, Inc. will continue to design, manufacture and sell its Alpha 21264-based UP1000 and UP2000 motherboards for high-performance Linux and Windows NT systems. API Networks will operate alongside it as a separate, focused effort aimed squarely at the infrastructure equipment market.

Alpha Processor, Inc. is dedicated to the development and marketing of Alpha microprocessor-based products for the volume commercial market, including the UP1000 and UP2000 motherboards used in high-performance Linux and Windows NT systems worldwide.