Silverback Systems adopts new multi-core tools from Mentor Graphics and First Silicon solutions for iSNAP family of storage network processors

Portland, OR  – July 31, 2002 – Mentor Graphics Embedded Systems Division (Nasdaq: Ment) and First Silicon Solutions (FS2) announced today that Silverback Systems is using its set of development tools designed to simplify and speed development of the company's recently introduced iSNAP™ (Storage Network Access Processor).

"The use of the Mentor Graphics® XRAY® Debugger with the FS2 System Analyzer using OCI® (on-chip instrumentation) has helped considerably in the speed and accuracy of developing our iSNAP product family," said Ron Kroesen, Silverback VP of Marketing.

Silverback Systems is the first company to announce availability of such processors for use in servers, storage arrays and fabric devices such as virtualization boxes and storage-aware routers, and specific implementations like host bus adapters (HBAs).

iSNAP provides optimized mapping of TCP/IP and ULP (upper layer protocols) such as iSCSI, through selectively mapping the protocol into hardware, programmable state machines and firmware. The iSNAP 2100 includes five 32-bit MIPS 4KEp™ cores that handle iSCSI, TCP offload and administrative functions.

"With our tools, vendors such as Silverback Systems can configure real-time on-chip and off-chip trace collection to gain insight into events up to and around a trigger event, hardware or software breakpoint," said Rick Leatherman, president of First Silicon Solutions.

"The XRAY Debugger has been seamlessly integrated with the FS2 System Analyzer to facilitate debug of any number of cores in the customer's design, or even mixed CPU/DSP environments. This includes synchronous starts, stops, and breakpoints, all from one instance of the XRAY Debugger interface. No other tools on the market can match this level of functionality," said Neil Henderson, general manager of the Embedded Systems Division of Mentor Graphics.

About Silverback Systems
Silverback Systems, Inc., designs and markets iSNAP™  (Storage Network Access Processors) accelerating the adoption of IP storage networking. The company is based in Campbell, CA, with a design center in Rochester, MN. Visit http://www.silverbacksystems.com for more information.

About First Silicon Solutions
First Silicon Solutions provides IP and tools for testing and debugging of SoC hardware and software. FS2 Navigator® OCI® (on-chip instrumentation) technology helps silicon vendors and their customers develop and more effectively market their products, reducing their development cycles, and allowing them to focus on delivering all the potential of the system on silicon. For more information, call Chuck Swartley at (503) 292-6730 ext. 103 or visit the web site: www.fs2.com.

About Mentor Graphics Corporation
Mentor Graphics Corporation is a world leader in electronic hardware and software design solutions, providing products, consulting services and award-winning support for the world's most successful electronics and semiconductor companies. Established in 1981, the company reported revenues over the last 12 months of about $600 million and employs approximately 3,700 people worldwide. Corporate headquarters are located at 8005 SW Boeckman Road, Wilsonville, Oregon 97070-7777; Silicon Valley headquarters are located at 1001 Ridder Park Drive, San Jose, California 95131-2314. World Wide Web site: www.mentor.com .

Mentor Graphics and XRAY are registered trademarks of Mentor Graphics Corporation. FS2, Navigator and OCI are registered trademarks of First Silicon Solutions. MIPS and 4KE are trademarks of MIPS Technologies. iSNAP is a trademark of Silverback Systems, Inc.  

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