Accelerated Technology Helps Address Limited Worldwide IPv4 Address Allocation by Introducing IPv6 Software for Nucleus

Embedded Systems Conference San Francisco 2003

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 23, 2003--Accelerated Technology(R), the Embedded Systems Division of Mentor Graphics Corporation (Nasdaq:MENT), today announced the initial availability of the Nucleus(TM) Internet Protocol (IP) version 6, a network layer protocol that allows messages to be routed to different networks or subnets.

Nucleus IPv6, an embedded, real-time implementation of the IP version 6 specification, was developed to deal with the limited Internet address space of IP version 4.

In the late 1990s, when the size of the Internet doubled every 6 months, there was a fear that the supply of IPv4 addresses would soon be exhausted. IPv6 was conceived to solve this problem. However, the architects of IPv6 took the opportunity to correct several other problems with the Internet Protocol. For example, the hierarchical-address structure of IPv6 and the streamlined protocol header provide for more efficient routing of network traffic. Administrators of IPv6 network hosts will benefit from the ability of such hosts to perform address auto configuration, reducing an enterprise's network maintenance costs. Also, additional security and mobility issues have been addressed in the IPv6 specification.

The uneven distribution of IPv4 addresses throughout the world resulted in the demand for a solution to deal with the limited address space. Because Europe received only 17 percent of the original address allocation and the Asia-Pacific region received only 9 percent, these areas are now the dominant force behind the IPv6 movement. In addition, it is expected that IPv6 will become a requirement in 2004, or soon after, for U.S. companies that sell their products in Europe and Asia.

The Nucleus IPv6 product is a host implementation of the IPv6 protocol. Developers will appreciate the software's flexibility and ease-of-use. And because Nucleus IPv6 plugs into the existing Nucleus product line, it is immediately available for almost all 16-bit and 32-bit processor architectures. Nucleus IPv6 is designed to seamlessly plug into Nucleus NET, Accelerated Technology's TCP/IP protocol suite. This allows existing Nucleus customers to upgrade their networking devices to IPv6 simply by dropping in the Nucleus IPv6 module that will be sold as an add-on product to Nucleus NET.

"Accelerated Technology is very excited about the addition of Nucleus IPv6 to our already large offering of network protocols. The pressure on the IPv4 address space will continue to build, especially in Asia and Europe where Nucleus already dominates the market for royalty-free, real-time operating systems," said Robert Day, director of marketing for the Embedded Systems Division of Mentor Graphics(R). "Nucleus IPv6 will provide embedded developers in those markets with an offering that was designed for the unique demands of the embedded environment."

Availability and Pricing

For more information, please contact Accelerated Technology at 800/468-6853 or info@acceleratedtechnology.com.

About Mentor Graphics

Mentor Graphics Corporation (Nasdaq: MENT) 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 3,500 people worldwide. Corporate headquarters are located at 8005 S.W. 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.

Accelerated Technology, the Embedded Systems Division of Mentor Graphics Corporation, is located in Mobile, Alabama with sales offices and distributors worldwide. By providing embedded systems developers with a focus on service, well-documented source code and industry leading non-royalty based Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS) software, AT's RTOS software shortens time-to-market and provides a complete solution for engineers. For more information, please visit www.acceleratedtechnology.com or email us at info@acceleratedtechnology.com.

Mentor Graphics and Accelerated Technology are registered trademarks and Nucleus is a trademark of Mentor Graphics Corporation. All other company or product names are the registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective owners.

CONTACT: Mentor Graphics/Accelerated Technology
             Jennifer Whiddon, 251/661-5770 ext 5032
             jennifer_whiddon@mentor.com
             or
             Mentor Graphics
             Suzanne Graham, 503/685-7789
             suzanne_graham@mentor.com