Mentor Graphics Achieves IPv6 Ready Group Phase II Interoperability Approval for Nucleus Internet Protocol (IP) Version 6 Networking Stack

WILSONVILLE, Ore., December 17, 2009 — Mentor Graphics Corporation (NASAQ: MENT) today announced that its Nucleus® Operating System (OS) has passed Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) Phase II compliance testing by the IPv6 Ready Group. IPv6 is the next-generation protocol that runs the Internet and enables advanced applications and new integrated technology solutions. Receiving the IPv6 Ready Group Phase II interoperability approval (and logo) assures Mentor Graphics Nucleus IPv6 customers that their networked devices have guaranteed interoperability with other compliant IPv6 devices.

By supplementing Mentor’s current IPv4 protocol with a compliant IPv6 stack, Mentor provides improved scalability (IP address space), configuration ease, secured high-quality Internet connectivity, and ensured interoperability with other devices on an IP network, at a lower cost.

“Our Nucleus OS successfully met the standards required for IPv6 certification and we believe developers, consumers and service providers will realize the benefits in our highly-efficient technology,” stated Glenn Perry, general manager of Mentor Graphics Embedded Systems Division. “The Nucleus OS is scalable and efficient in managing power, processor and memory usage — ideal for secure communications applications such as IPv6. As a result, this will inspire the development of new applications, services and end-products.

The Nucleus OS IPv6 compliance addresses three critical challenges for current users of the IPv4 protocol:

• IPv4 address space depletion: Current estimates from industry sources project that the address space for IPv4 will be depleted by 2010, in addition to uneven distribution of the IPv4 address space globally.
• Inferior addressing architecture: IPv4 addresses do not provide an efficient, scalable hierarchical address space, particularly when representing many lower-level addresses or networks. Also, routing has become increasingly complicated and costly as the Internet continues to expand.
• High cost and maintenance requirements: IPv4 is costly to maintain and the costs to maintain and configure networks for IPv4 (along with its limitations) will only increase as newer, more advanced protocols like IPv6 are adopted.

IPv6 will achieve more widespread adoption and provide several benefits due to its larger address capacity. This will enable greater flexibility in allocating addresses and routing traffic, allowing device users to experience higher levels of seamless integration between devices and better Internet access.

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 $800 million and employs approximately 4,425 people worldwide. Corporate headquarters are located at 8005 S.W. Boeckman Road, Wilsonville, Oregon 97070-7777. World Wide Web site: http://www.mentor.com/.

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(Mentor Graphics and Nucleus are registered trademarks of Mentor Graphics Corporation. All other company or product names are the registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective owners.)