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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.33

                             Cabletron Systems, Inc.

                                 August 2, 2001


Piyush Patel

Piyush:

This letter will reflect the agreement between you and Cabletron Systems, Inc.
(including its successor Enterasys Networks, the "Company") concerning your
provision of strategic advice and assistance to Aprisma, Enterasys and
Riverstone (the "Operating Companies") after September 2, 2001. This letter is
independent of and in addition to the letter between you and Cabletron Systems,
Inc. dated July 16, 2001.

PROJECTS You and either (i) Craig Benson, as the Board's representative, or (ii)
the CEOs of the Operating Companies, will determine by mutual agreement, the
projects to be performed by you.

AVAILABILITY From September 3 through December 31, 2001, in exchange for being
available at least 80 hours per month, you will receive weekly compensation of
$6,000. From January 1, 2002 through September 2, 2002, in exchange for being
available at least 10 hours per month, you will receive weekly compensation of
$3,000. For time spent on specific projects, your compensation will be
determined by mutual agreement between you and Craig Benson or the applicable
Operating Company. The applicable Operating Company will pay for or reimburse
you for all travel and other out-of-pocket business expenses. For projects on
behalf of Riverstone or Aprisma, that Operating Company will be responsible for
reimbursing the Company for the associated compensation. You will be maintained
on the Company's (or its successor Enterasys') employee benefit plans at no cost
to you, including full health, life and retirement plans offered to the senior
management of the Company, through September 2, 2002.

FACILITIES In order to facilitate your providing strategic assistance to
Enterasys, Riverstone and Aprisma, you will maintain your current offices and
facilities through at least December 31, 2001. The Company will make available
Wendi Fenderson or, if she is unavailable, a reasonably acceptable assistant to
provide full-time support to you and Eric Jaeger. In addition, you will retain
key card access to all facilities at the Operating Companies through at least
September 2, 2002 and the Company will continue to provide your current
telecommunications equipment and services, including cell phone service, company
telephone number, home business line, Cabletron email and Blackberry service
through at lest September 2, 2002.

SCHEDULE Your work schedule will be based upon the needs of the projects you
have agreed to perform, as reasonably determined by you. It is expressly
understood that you may conduct other activities unrelated to the business of
Enterasys, Aprisma and Riverstone to the extent permitted by the schedule of the
projects you have agreed to perform.

TERMINATION You may terminate this agreement on two weeks prior notice to the
Company.

                                        Cabletron Systems, Inc.

/s/ Piyush Patel                        By: /s/ Craig R. Benson
---------------------------                 ---------------------------------
Piyush Patel                                Craig R. Benson
                                            Director