IIJ Acquires Patent for SMF-LAN

Internet Initiative Japan, Inc. (IIJ, NASDAQ: IIJI, TSE1: 3774), one of Japan’s leading Internet access and comprehensive network solutions providers, today announced it has successfully patented the SMF-LAN technology originally released in March 2005. Patent Description     Patent Number:   Patent No.3996922 Title of Invention: A centralized administrative system and method for implementing network connection methods on networks with multiple differing communications protocols. SMF-LAN was developed using IIJ’s patented network management system SMF (patent 3774433) (*). SMF is a technology for centralized management of communications devices and home appliances over the Internet, while SMF-LAN is a system to centrally administer communications equipment and other devices--from initialization to monitoring and maintenance--on WAN and other closed networks. The patent was issued based on the recognition of the unique qualities of this technology. Automatic configuration through autonomous operation       With SMF-LAN, communications equipment connected to the network at any location can autonomously detect the relay server on the closed network and transmit its identifier to the server. The relay server relays the identifier to a configuration administration server on a different network and then downloads the configuration data for the equipment in question. This arrangement allows the complete centralized configuration of the system without directly operating the router. Centralized management of communications equipment on a mixed-protocol network       On a closed IPv4 network, IPv6 is used for communications between the router and the relay server. With SMF-LAN, even on a mixed-protocol network, like those using both IPv4 and IPv6, routers and other communication devices can be centrally managed without influencing either network. For providers offering wide-area Ethernet and other services, this system can be used as the service platform, which can drastically reduce the cost of providing router administration services. A patent for SFM-LAN is also pending in the United States. IIJ is aggressively pursuing the development of new technology based on SMF, and a patent is also pending in Japan for the SMFv2, a next-generation management framework based on SMF. IIJ will continue to invest in the development of new technology and actively expand the use of SMF. (*) A network service operating system developed by IIJ. A patent was issued in March 2006. The service centrally manages communications devices and home appliances installed in multiple locations via a central administration server, providing the following three features. 1. Plug-and-Join: Equipment is automatically configured when it connects to the network. 2. Service-on-demand: Any function can be added or removed over the network. 3. Service control: The service adapter is monitored and operated in real time over the network. About IIJ Founded in 1992, Internet Initiative Japan Inc. (IIJ, NASDAQ: IIJI, Tokyo Stock Exchange TSE1: 3774) is one of Japan's leading Internet-access and comprehensive network solutions providers. IIJ and its group of companies provide total network solutions that mainly cater to high-end corporate customers. The company's services include high-quality systems integration and security services, Internet access, hosting/housing, and content design. Moreover, the company has built one of the largest Internet backbone networks in Japan, and between Japan and the United States. IIJ was listed on Nasdaq in 1999 and on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange in 2006. For more information about IIJ, visit the IIJ Web site at http://www.iij.ad.jp/en/. The statements within this release contain forward-looking statements about our future plans that involve risk and uncertainty. These statements may differ materially from actual future events or results. Readers are referred to the documents furnished by Internet Initiative Japan Inc. with the SEC, specifically the most recent reports on Forms 20-F and 6-K, which identify important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements.