CALABASAS, Calif. -- Ixia (NASDAQ: XXIA), the leading global provider of converged IP and wireless network test solutions, today announced that Victor Alston has been appointed as Ixia's Chief Operating Officer and will stand for election to the Board of Directors at the Company's annual meeting of shareholders scheduled to be held on May 10, 2012. In addition, the Company announced that Atul Bhatnagar, the Company's President and CEO, will be leaving the Company effective as of the date of the annual meeting and will not stand for reelection to the Board. Ixia also announced that Mr. Alston will succeed Mr. Bhatnagar as President and CEO following Mr. Bhatnagar's departure from the Company.

Mr. Alston joined the Company in 2004 and has served as the Company's Senior Vice President, Product Development since June 2007. In this role, Mr. Alston has been directly responsible for the Company's product management and product development as well as approximately half of the Company's employees.

"On behalf of the Board of Directors, I want to thank Atul for his leadership and service to the Company," said Errol Ginsberg, Chairman of the Board. "Atul deserves tremendous credit for his contributions to Ixia and the progress the Company has made under his leadership. I also deeply appreciate Atul's commitment to make this a seamless transition.

"We are also very excited about Vic's new role as COO and his upcoming move into the role of CEO," said Ginsberg. "He has extensive experience and knowledge of all our product offerings and the needs of our customers. We believe that our business is gaining momentum and that Vic's passion and operational knowledge will help the Company take the next step."

Ixia (Nasdaq: XXIA)