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McDATA JOINS MICROSOFT FOR ENTERPRISE DATA CENTER SOLUTIONS

McDATA Corporation, a worldwide leader in open, ultra-high availability storage networking solutions, has announced its participation with Microsoft Corp in developing the Microsoft Systems Architecture for the Enterprise Data Center (MSA EDC), a pre-tested data center infrastructure implementation that delivers predictable results.

Microsoft Systems Architecture (MSA) for the Enterprise Data Center (EDC) provides a recommended, standardized, and tested configuration for building a core information technology (IT) infrastructure that delivers security, scalability, availability, and manageability. The MSA EDC is a comprehensive solution, covering all aspects of planning, building, deploying, operating and supporting an infrastructure using Microsoft and partner technologies.

"Making the Microsoft Systems Architecture for the Enterprise Data Center a success and delivering real value for customers requires best-of-breed configurations of software and hardware, sound knowledge of data center requirements, and rigorous testing and documentation," said Jim Hebert, general manager, Windows Server Product Management Group, Microsoft Corp. "McDATA's data networking knowledge and its Sphereon 3000 switches are an important contribution to the MSA effort."

The Microsoft Systems Architecture for the Enterprise Data Center utilizes McDATA's Sphereon 3000 Series Fabric Switches as a component of the MSA EDC Prescriptive Guidance.

In addition to its Sphereon 3000 Series Fabric Switches, McDATA's full family of core-to-edge storage networking products includes the Intrepid 6000 Series Directors, ultra high-availability, multi-protocol Directors with the ability to support the rigorous demands of mission critical environments; and McDATA's Sphereon 4000 Series Fabric Switches, the highest availability products in their class, bringing to the mid-range market several industry exclusives such as McDATA's HotCAT Technology (non-disruptive code load and activation) and FlexPort Technology (pay-as-you-grow scalability).

"McDATA and Microsoft share a common vision of providing customers with tested, supported solutions that deliver the highest levels of availability, scalability, security and manageability," said Mike Gustafson, senior vice president of worldwide marketing for McDATA. "We look forward to continuing to work with Microsoft and the other MSA partners to deliver architectures and solutions to customers that enable their business applications run at their peak performance."

About McDATA

McDATA is a worldwide leader in open, ultra-high storage networking solutions and provides highly available, scalable and centrally managed storage area networks (SANs) that address enterprise-wide storage problems. McDATA's core-to-edge enterprise SAN solutions improve the reliability and availability of data to simplify SAN management and reduce the total cost of ownership. McDATA extensively pre-tests its solutions to provide IT organizations with the comprehensive tools, methodologies and support essential to robust SAN implementation. McDATA distributes its products through its OEMs, network of resellers and Elite Solution Partners. McDATA and the McDATA logo are registered trademarks of McDATA Corporation.

Contact: Linda Dellett, 720-558-4474, investor.relations@mcdata.com.