Finisar Introduces 40 Gbps Parallel Active Optical Cable

SUNNYVALE, CA and AUSTIN, TX--(Marketwire - November 18, 2008) - Finisar Corporation (NASDAQ: FNSR), a technology leader in fiber optic solutions for high-speed networks, today introduced Quadwire™, a 40 gigabit per second (Gbps) optical link for data centers and high-performance computer clusters. Quadwire is a parallel active optical cable that provides a 40 Gbps aggregate link via four 10 Gbps full-duplex channels. Based on the industry-standard QSFP form factor, this new cable utilizes fiber optic technology to transmit parallel high-speed data over ribbon multi-mode fiber. Finisar will demonstrate this new cable as part of the SCinet Network Infrastructure at booth #2315 at Supercomputing in Austin, Texas, November 17-20.

As InfiniBand supercomputing clusters move from double data rates (DDR) to quad data rates (QDR), existing copper cables present physical challenges to the system architecture. In addition to being heavy and bulky, these cables are limited to short distances as data integrity deteriorates over longer links. By contrast, Quadwire features a parallel 4x10 Gbps optical bi-directional link, meeting the needs for increased data rates in longer lengths (up to 100 meters) while offering a lighter weight solution and much smaller bend radius. In addition, Quadwire uses Finisar's VCSEL (vertical cavity surface emitting laser) array technology, known in the industry for high reliability and superior performance. The cable's small diameter supports large port count architectures, ultimately enabling simpler installations and fiber management.

"The physical challenge of connecting InfiniBand clusters with bulky copper cables has been difficult to manage even at DDR data rates of 20 Gbps," said Jag Bolaria, senior analyst at The Linley Group. "As the first QDR (40 Gbps) InfiniBand switches and Host Channel Adapters (HCAs) begin to roll out, Active Optical Cables, such as Quadwire, are emerging as the interconnect solutions to overcome limitations of copper."

"Active Optical Cables are quickly becoming the next generation interconnects of choice for high-speed datacenter connectivity," said Jan Meise, director of strategic marketing at Finisar Corporation. "The introduction of Quadwire, our second optical cable product, marks Finisar's entry into parallel connectivity, supporting leading edge cluster technology with a superior alternative to copper cables."

Finisar is currently supplying samples of Quadwire active optical cable to customers. For more information about Quadwire or Finisar's active optical cable product line, contact Finisar Corporation at 1-408-548-1000, send email to cables@finisar.com or visit www.finisar.com/cables.

About Finisar

Finisar Corporation (NASDAQ: FNSR) is a global technology leader for fiber optic subsystems and network test systems that enable high-speed voice, video and data communications for networking, storage, wireless, and cable TV applications. For more than 20 years, Finisar has provided critical optics technologies to system manufacturers to meet the increasing demands for network bandwidth and storage. Finisar is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, USA with R&D, manufacturing sites, and sales offices worldwide. For additional information, visit www.finisar.com.

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The statements contained in this press release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are based upon information available to Finisar as of the date hereof, and Finisar assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Examples of such risks include those associated with the rapidly evolving markets for Finisar's products, uncertainty regarding customer acceptance, significant investments which may be required in ramping production or delays which could limit Finisar's ability to realize the full benefit of introducing new products and the impact of new technologies and enhanced products by Finisar or its competitors. Further information regarding these and other risks relating to Finisar's business is set forth in Finisar's most recent annual filing on Form 10-K and interim SEC filings.

Contact Information: MEDIA CONTACT: Victoria McDonald Finisar Corporation (408) 542-4261 victoria.mcdonald@finisar.com