Sale of Netreon to CA

Digital Coast Partners Represents Netreon in Acquisition by Computer Associates

SANTA MONICA, CA – February 12, 2003 – Digital Coast Partners LLC, announced today it advised Netreon Inc., a developer of storage-area network software, on its sale to Computer Associates International, Inc. (NYSE:CA). Computer Associates, based in Islandia, N.Y., acquired substantially all of Netreon’s assets in an all-cash transaction. Financial terms of the sale were not disclosed.

Digital Coast Partners, a leading investment bank advising West Coast technology and middle market companies, was chosen by Mountain-View Calif.-based Netreon for its storage industry knowledge and ability to attract qualified buyers.

“The purchase of Netreon is further evidence to a trend in the storage market where larger storage systems and software vendors are expanding their storage management software capabilities through acquisition,” said David Michaels, Managing Director of Digital Coast Partners’ Communications Practice.

“The storage market will likely be one of the first areas of IT spending to rebound and the fact that leading storage companies are making acquisitions of this kind is a positive leading indicator. This deal establishes Digital Coast Partners as a preferred investment bank for middle-market storage transactions,” added Michaels.

About Digital Coast Partners LLC

Digital Coast Partners, LLC, is a boutique investment banking firm specializing in technology and middle market industries. Based in Santa Monica, Calif., Digital Coast Partners, LLC, is a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., and its professional associates are registered with the NASD, member SIPC. For more information, please visit www.digitalcoastpartners.com.