Document:

Exhibit 10.28

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

      This Employment Agreement (this "Agreement") is entered into as of April
28, 2003, by and between Visual Networks Operations, Inc., a company organized
under the laws of Delaware ("Visual" or the "Employer"), and Lawrence S. Barker,
an individual (hereafter the "Executive").

                                   WITNESSETH:

      WHEREAS, VISUAL desires to employ the Executive, and the Executive desires
to accept such employment, on the terms and conditions set forth herein;

      WHEREAS, VISUAL and the Executive have entered into a Confidentiality,
Non-Disclosure, And Non-Solicitation Agreement (the "Non-Solicitation
Agreement");

      NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants set
forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency of
which is hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound hereby, VISUAL
and Executive hereby agree as follows:

                                    ARTICLE 1

                             POSITION OF EMPLOYMENT

1.1   Title and Position. VISUAL agrees to employ Executive in the following
      position: President and Chief Executive Officer.

1.2   Start Date. April 28, 2003.

1.3   Exclusive Devotion of Business Time. VISUAL agrees to employ the Executive
      and the Executive agrees to devote his full business time, effort, skills
      and loyalty to the business of VISUAL, to effectively carry out his
      responsibilities to VISUAL hereunder and to render his services and skills
      in the furtherance of the business of VISUAL, except for during permitted
      vacation periods and reasonable periods of illness or other incapacity.
      This Section 1.2 does not prevent the Executive from: (i) serving on civic
      and charitable boards, subject to VISUAL's policies and standards; and
      (ii) managing his investments and the investments of his immediate family,
      subject VISUAL's policies and standards. Despite anything in this Section
      1.2 to the contrary, the activities referenced in clauses (i) and (ii)
      above shall not, individually or in the aggregate, interfere with the
      performance of the Executive's duties under this Agreement. To the extent
      that Executive desires to act as a member of the Board of Directors of
      another entity, VISUAL and the Executive shall reasonably discuss and
      attempt to come to an arrangement suitable to both the Executive and
      VISUAL.

1.4   Conflict with Company Policies. The terms and conditions of Executive's
      employment will, to the extent not addressed in this Agreement, be
      governed by VISUAL's company policies ("Policies"). In the event of a
      conflict between this Agreement and the Policies, the terms of this
      Agreement shall govern.

                                    ARTICLE 2

                        DUTIES, AUTHORITY AND PERFORMANCE

2.1   Performance. Executive acknowledges and agrees that he is being offered a
      position of employment by VISUAL with the understanding that he possesses
      a unique set of skills, abilities, and experiences which will benefit
      VISUAL. Executive agrees that his continued

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                                                                   Exhibit 10.28

      employment with VISUAL is contingent upon his successfully performing his
      duties as set forth in this Agreement.

2.2   Duties and responsibilities. VISUAL agrees to employ the Executive as the
      President and Chief Executive Officer of VISUAL. Executive shall report to
      the Board of Directors (the "Board") of Visual Networks, Inc. The primary
      responsibilities of the Executive shall be determined by the Board from
      time to time. On the date hereof, the duties and responsibilities of the
      Executive generally are as follows:

      2.2.1 Executive shall render to the very best of his ability, on behalf of
            VISUAL, and shall undertake diligently, all duties assigned to him
            by the Board.

      2.2.2 In the performance of the Executive's duties hereunder, he must
            comply in each and every respect with applicable laws, rules and
            regulations applicable to VISUAL.

      2.2.3 As President and Chief Executive Officer of VISUAL, Executive must
            develop and implement the necessary plans to ensure the success of
            VISUAL. Executive must also effectively manage and administer the
            day-to-day execution of these plans.

      2.2.4 The Executive acknowledges that he may have to travel and work in
            different locations for business reasons from time to time as is
            reasonably necessary or advisable for the performance of his duties
            hereunder.

2.3   Cooperation. During the term of this Agreement and any time thereafter,
      the Executive agrees to give prompt written notice to VISUAL of any claim
      or injury relating to VISUAL, and to fully cooperate in good faith and to
      the best of his ability with VISUAL in connection with all pending,
      potential or future claims, investigations or actions which directly or
      indirectly relate to any transaction, event or activity about which the
      Executive may have knowledge because of his employment with VISUAL. Such
      cooperation shall include all assistance that VISUAL, its counsel, or its
      representatives may reasonably request, including reviewing and
      interpreting documents, meeting with counsel, providing factual
      information and material, and appearing or testifying as a witness. Should
      Executive be required to cooperate under the provisions of this Section
      2.3 after termination of his employment with VISUAL, then he shall be
      reimbursed by VISUAL for all reasonable costs and expenses related to his
      cooperation hereunder.

2.4   Duty of Loyalty. Executive acknowledges and agrees that he owes a
      fiduciary duty of loyalty to act at all times in the best interests of
      VISUAL.

2.5   Business Opportunities. All business opportunities presented to Executive:
      (i) by reason of Executive's employment by VISUAL; or (ii) relating to the
      businesses and activities engaged in (or contemplated to be engaged in) by
      VISUAL or any affiliate of VISUAL prior to and as of the date hereof or
      during the term hereof, shall be owned by, and belong exclusively to,
      VISUAL, and the Executive shall have no personal interest or rights
      therein or thereto. Executive shall promptly disclose any such business
      opportunity to VISUAL and execute and deliver to VISUAL, without
      additional compensation, such instruments as VISUAL may require from time
      to time to evidence its ownership of any such business opportunity.

                                    ARTICLE 3

                            COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

3.1   Base Salary. Executive shall be paid a base salary of three hundred sixty
      thousand dollars ($360,000) annually (the "Base Salary"), subject to
      applicable federal, state, and local withholding, such Base Salary to be
      paid to Executive on a semi-monthly basis. VISUAL may,

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                                                                   Exhibit 10.28

      in its sole discretion, increase the amount of Base Salary effective for
      any specified year or part thereof during the term of this Agreement.

3.2   Options. Executive shall be granted nonstatutory stock options to purchase
      eight hundred eleven thousand one hundred fifty (811,150) shares of common
      stock of VISUAL (the "Initial Grant"), issued and pursuant to the
      Nonstatutory Stock Option Grant Agreement (the "Grant Agreement") dated
      April 28, 2003 between VISUAL and Executive. Vesting of the Initial Grant
      shall be as described in the Grant Agreement.

3.3   Annual Bonus. A bonus pool equal to fifty percent (50%) of Executive's
      Base Salary shall be available for Executive. The Board, no later than
      June 30, 2003, will determine the performance metrics required for payment
      of all or part of the annual bonus as well as payout intervals, if any.
      The Board shall, in its sole discretion, determine what portion of the
      bonus pool, if any, will be paid. During the period from April 28, 2003 to
      April 27, 2004, Executive shall receive a minimum bonus of ninety thousand
      dollars ($90,000) paid in three (3) equal instalments on the payroll date
      immediately following July 28, 2003, October 28, 2003 and January 28, 2004
      provided that Executive remains actively employed with VISUAL as of the
      date each of the above noted payments becomes payable.

3.4   Signing Bonus. Executive shall receive a one time signing bonus of
      twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000). This bonus will be paid on the
      first regularly scheduled payroll following Executive's date of hire and
      will be subject to all federal, state, and local withholdings as required
      by law.

3.5   Employee Benefits. During the period that Executive is employed by VISUAL
      and for such longer period as required by applicable law, Executive shall
      be eligible to participate in all employee benefit plans, policies,
      programs, or perquisites in which other VISUAL employees participate.
      Executive shall accrue Paid Time Off ("PTO") at the rate of twenty (20)
      days per year.

      Details of VISUAL's insurance plans, including benefit amounts,
      limitations and restrictions are described in the summary plan
      descriptions provided to the Executive. If there is any difference between
      the summary plan descriptions and the information set forth in this
      Agreement, then the information contained in the summary plan descriptions
      takes precedence.

3.6   Reimbursement for expenses. VISUAL shall reimburse the Executive for all
      ordinary, necessary and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the
      Executive for the benefit of VISUAL upon presentation of appropriate
      documentation in accordance with VISUAL's policies in effect from time to
      time.

                                    ARTICLE 4
                            TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT

4.1   Term. Executive's employment by VISUAL shall extend for a one (1) year
      term from April 28, 2003 through April 27, 2004. Additionally, either
      VISUAL or Executive may terminate this employment relationship at any
      time, for any reason or for no reason, as provided in Sections 4.2 and 4.3
      hereof.

4.2   Executive's Right to Terminate. The Executive has the right to terminate
      his employment under this Agreement at any time during the course of this
      Agreement by giving ninety (90) days notice in writing to the Board (the
      "Notice"). The Notice period may be shortened by mutual agreement of the
      parties. During the Notice period, Executive must fulfill all his duties
      and responsibilities set forth in this Agreement, and use his best efforts
      to train and support

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                                                                   Exhibit 10.28

      his replacement, if any. Executive's salary and benefits will remain
      unchanged during the Notice period.

4.3   VISUAL's Right to Terminate. VISUAL has the right to terminate immediately
      the Executive's employment under this Agreement at any time for any of the
      following reasons:

      4.3.1 Executive's death; or

      4.3.2 Executive's "Disability", which for purposes of this Agreement means
      the Executive's incapacitation by accident, sickness or other
      circumstances which, in the reasonable good faith determination of the
      Board, renders Executive mentally or physically incapable of performing
      the duties and services required of him hereunder in substantially the
      same manner and to the extent required hereunder prior to the commencement
      of such Disability, either with or without reasonable accommodation, on a
      full-time basis for a period of at least 90 consecutive days or for a
      period of six (6) non-consecutive months of the preceding eighteen (18)
      month period; or

      4.3.3 For "Cause", which for purposes of this Agreement shall mean:

            4.3.3.1 The Executive has engaged in conduct which: (A) resulted in
            a conviction of or plea of guilty or no contest to a misdemeanor
            involving moral turpitude or involving the property of VISUAL; or
            (B) resulted in a conviction of or plea of guilty or no contest to a
            felony under the laws of the United States or any state or political
            subdivision thereof; or

            4.3.3.2 The Executive: (A) commits a breach of his fiduciary duty to
            VISUAL or any of its affiliates; or (B) commits an act of gross
            negligence; or (C) engages in willful misconduct; or (D) engages in
            any transaction which the Executive knows or should have known would
            constitute self-dealing or a conflict of interest between the
            Executive and VISUAL and in which the Executive does or would
            receive any direct or indirect economic or pecuniary benefit without
            prior disclosure of such transaction to VISUAL; or

            4.3.3.3 The Executive violates the internal procedures or policies
            of VISUAL in a manner which has a material adverse effect on the
            reputation, business or prospects of VISUAL, such as conduct
            constituting employment discrimination or sexual harassment; or

            4.3.3.4 Material default or other material breach by Executive of
            his obligations hereunder; or

            4.3.3.5 Failure by to perform diligently and competently his duties
            hereunder after written notice from VISUAL of such failure and
            thirty (30) days to remedy the deficiency described in such notice.

4.4   Effect of Termination on Compensation.

      4.4.1 Termination by VISUAL Without Cause or Upon Change of Control. If
      Executive's employment hereunder shall be terminated by the Employer
      without Cause, or upon a Change of Control, VISUAL agrees to provide
      Executive with severance pay, payable according to normal payroll
      practice, amounting to twelve (12) months of the Executive's then
      applicable Base Salary, plus an amount equal to the bonus pool then in
      effect, payable at the end of the twelve (12) month severance period (the
      "Severance Pay"). In the event that Executive breaches any of the
      provisions of this Agreement (including but not limited to Executive's
      obligation to cooperate during the Notice period and/or the
      Non-Solicitation Agreement), all compensation and benefits hereunder shall
      cease immediately, Executive's

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                                                                   Exhibit 10.28

      termination shall be treated as if it had been a termination for Cause,
      and Executive shall be required to repay VISUAL any Severance Pay received
      hereunder.

      4.4.2 Termination by Executive's Resignation or by Employer for Cause,
      Death or Disability. If Executive's employment is terminated by Executive
      by a voluntary resignation (for any reason or no reason), or for death,
      Disability or Cause (as those terms are defined in sections 4.3.2 and
      4.3.3 herein), all compensation and benefits payable hereunder shall
      terminate contemporaneously with the date of the Executive's termination
      of employment.

                                    ARTICLE 5

                               GENERAL PROVISIONS

5.1 Notices. All notices and other communications required or permitted by this
Agreement to be delivered by VISUAL or Executive to the other party shall be
delivered in writing to the address shown below, either personally, by facsimile
transmission or by registered, certified or express mail, return receipt
requested, postage prepaid, to the address for such party specified below or to
such other address as the party may from time to time advise the other party,
and shall be deemed given and received as of actual personal delivery, on the
first business day after the date of delivery shown on any such facsimile
transmission (with confirmed receipt) or upon the date or actual receipt shown
on any return receipt if registered, certified or express mail is used, as the
case may be.

      Employer:  Visual Networks Operations, Inc.
                 Attention: Tracy Behzad
                 Vice President of Human Resources
                 2092 Gaither Road
                 Rockville, Maryland 20850

      Executive: Lawrence S. Barker
                 9304 Belmart Road
                 Potomac, Maryland 20854

5.2 Amendments and Termination; Entire Agreement. This Agreement may not be
amended or terminated except by a writing executed by all of the parties hereto.
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of VISUAL and Executive relating
to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes all prior oral and written
understandings and agreements, whether written or oral. Notwithstanding anything
herein to the contrary, this Agreement shall not affect the applicability of the
Non-Solicitation Agreement executed by Executive, and the Non-Solicitation
Agreement shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding this Agreement.

5.3 Severability; Provisions Subject to Applicable Law. All provisions of this
Agreement shall be applicable only to the extent that they do not violate any
applicable law, and are intended to be limited to the extent necessary so that
they will not render this Agreement invalid, illegal or unenforceable under any
applicable law. If any provision of this Agreement or any application thereof
shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the parties agree and
stipulate that any court of competent jurisdiction may enforce these
restrictions to the maximum extent deemed reasonable, rather than declare any
provision unenforceable.

5.4 Waiver of Rights. No waiver by VISUAL or Executive of a right or remedy
hereunder shall be deemed to be a waiver of any other right or remedy or of any
subsequent right or remedy of the same kind.

5.5 Definitions, Headings and Number. A term defined in any part of this
Employment Agreement shall have the defined meaning wherever such term is used
herein. The headings contained in this

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                                                                   Exhibit 10.28

Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any manner the
meaning or interpretation of this Employment Agreement. Where appropriate to the
context of this Agreement, use of the singular shall be deemed also to refer to
the plural, and use of the plural to the singular.

5.6 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts, each
of which shall be deemed an original but all of which taken together shall
constitute but one and the same instrument.

5.7 Governing Law. The parties acknowledge and expressly agree that this
Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with federal law
and the laws of the State of Maryland. The parties hereto agree that any
disputes shall be resolved by the District Court of Maryland for Montgomery
County, the Circuit Court of Maryland for Montgomery County, or the United
States District Court for the District of Maryland, as may be appropriate.

5.8 Attorneys Fees. If VISUAL incurs costs to enforce the terms of this
Agreement (including but not limited to a declaratory judgment action),
Executive shall reimburse VISUAL all of its costs and expenses, including
reasonable attorneys' fees.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, VISUAL and Executive have signed this Agreement.

VISUAL NETWORKS OPERATIONS, INC.

By:   /s/ Peter J. Minihane
      -------------------------------------
      Peter J. Minihane
      President and Chief Executive Officer

Date: April 28, 2003

      /s/ Lawrence S. Barker
      -------------------------------------
      Lawrence S. Barker

Date: April 28, 2003Exhibit 10.29

THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED IN A TRANSACTION NOT
INVOLVING ANY PUBLIC OFFERING AND HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES
ACT OF 1933. SUCH SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD OR TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF
SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN EXEMPTION THEREFROM UNDER SAID ACT.

                              VISUAL NETWORKS, INC.

                    NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION GRANT AGREEMENT

      This Grant Agreement (the "Agreement") is entered into this 28th day of
April, 2003, by and between VISUAL NETWORKS, INC., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), and Lawrence S. Barker (the "Optionee"), effective as of April 28,
2003 (the "Grant Date").

      WHEREAS the Optionee and the Company are entering into an employment
agreement on even date herewith and the Optionee and the Company acknowledge and
agree that the issuance of the Option pursuant to this Agreement is an
inducement essential to the Optionee's entering into that employment agreement.

      NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, mutual covenants and
agreements herein, the Company and the Optionee agree as follows:

      1. Grant of Option. The Company hereby grants to the Optionee a
nonstatutory stock option to purchase from the Company, at a price of $1.21 per
share (the "Exercise Price"), Eight Hundred Eleven Thousand, One Hundred Fifty
(811,150) shares of Common Stock of the Company, $0.01 par value per share
("Common Stock"), subject to the provisions of this Agreement (the "Option").
The Option will expire at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the last business day
preceding the tenth anniversary of the Grant Date (the "Expiration Date"),
unless fully exercised or terminated earlier.

      2. Terminology.

            (a) Except where the context otherwise requires, the term "Company"
as used herein includes Visual Networks, Inc. and its affiliates.

            (b) This Agreement will be administered by the Compensation
Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company or by the full Board of
Directors in its discretion (each hereinafter referred to as the
"Administrator").

            (c) The term "Change in Control" as used herein means:

            (i) the acquisition (other than from the Company) in one or more
      transactions by any Person, as defined in this Section 2(c), of the
      beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under
      the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) of 50% or more of (A) the
      then outstanding shares of the securities of the Company, or (B) the
      combined voting power of the then outstanding securities of the Company
      entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the "Company
      Voting Stock");

            (ii) the closing of a sale or other conveyance of all or
      substantially all of the assets of the Company; or

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            (iii) the effective time of any merger, share exchange,
      consolidation, or other business combination involving the Company if
      immediately after such transaction persons who hold a majority of the
      outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election
      of directors of the surviving entity (or the entity owning 100% of such
      surviving entity) are not persons who, immediately prior to such
      transaction, held the Company Voting Stock.

For purposes of this Section 2(c), a "Person" means any individual, entity or
group within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, other than: employee benefit plans sponsored
or maintained by the Company and corporations controlled by the Company.

            (d) The term "Fair Market Value" as used herein means, with respect
to a share of Common Stock for any purpose on a particular date, the value
determined by the Administrator in good faith. However, if the Common Stock is
registered under Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(the "Exchange Act") and listed for trading on a national exchange or market,
"Fair Market Value" means, as applicable, (i) either the closing price or the
average of the high and low sale price on the relevant date, as determined in
the Administrator's discretion, quoted on the New York Stock Exchange, the
American Stock Exchange, or the Nasdaq National Market; (ii) the last sale price
on the relevant date quoted on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market; (iii) the average of
the high bid and low asked prices on the relevant date quoted on the Nasdaq OTC
Bulletin Board Service or by the National Quotation Bureau, Inc. or a comparable
service as determined in the Administrator's discretion; or (iv) if the Common
Stock is not quoted by any of the above, the average of the closing bid and
asked prices on the relevant date furnished by a professional market maker for
the Common Stock, or by such other source, selected by the Administrator. If no
public trading of the Common Stock occurs on the relevant date, then Fair Market
Value shall be determined as of the next preceding date on which trading of the
Common Stock does occur. For all purposes under this Agreement, the term
"relevant date" as used in this Section 2(c) means either the date as of which
Fair Market Value is to be determined or the next preceding date on which public
trading of the Common Stock occurs, as determined in the Administrator's
discretion.

      3. Exercise of Option.

            (a) Right to Exercise. Except as otherwise provided in this
Agreement or applicable law, this Option may be exercised as to its vested
portion at any time and from time to time, in whole or in part, on or before the
Expiration Date or earlier termination of the Option. In the event of the
Optionee's death, disability, or other termination of employment or service
relationship, the exercisability is governed by Section 4 below.

            (b) Vesting. The Option will become vested over forty-eight (48)
months, as follows; provided, however, that the Optionee is in the continuous
employ of or in a service relationship with the Company from the Grant Date
through the applicable date upon which vesting is scheduled to occur:

            (i)   25% of the Option shall be vested on April 28, 2004 (the
                  "Initial Vesting Date"), and

            (ii)  2.083% of the Option shall become vested each month during the
                  thirty-six (36) month period following the Initial Vesting
                  Date, on the 28th day of each such month (rounded down to the
                  nearest whole share

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                  each month, except for the thirty-sixth month, in which case
                  vesting is rounded up to 100%).

Unless the Option has earlier terminated, vesting of the Option will be
accelerated so that the outstanding unvested portion of the Option will become
100% vested immediately before the occurrence of a Change in Control in the
Company.

            (c) Exercise Procedure. In order to exercise the Option, the
following items must be delivered to the Secretary of the Company or his
delegate before the expiration or termination of the Option: (i) an exercise
notice, in such form as the Administrator may require from time to time,
specifying the number of shares to be purchased, and (ii) full payment of the
Exercise Price for such shares or properly executed, irrevocable instructions,
in such form as the Administrator may require from time to time, to effectuate a
broker-assisted cashless exercise, each in accordance with Section 3(d) of this
Agreement. An exercise will not be effective until all of the foregoing items
are received by the Secretary of the Company or his delegate. The Option may be
exercised only in multiples of whole shares and may not be exercised at any one
time as to fewer than ten (10) shares (or such lesser number of shares as to
which the Option is then exercisable). No fractional shares will be issued
pursuant to this Option.

            (d) Method of Payment. Payment of the Exercise Price may be made by
any combination of the following methods:

            (i) delivery of cash, certified or cashier's check, money order or
      other cash equivalent acceptable to the Administrator in its discretion;

            (ii) a broker-assisted cashless exercise in accordance with
      Regulation T of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
      through a brokerage firm approved by the Administrator and in accordance
      with such rules and procedures as the Administrator may determine;

            (iii) by tender (via actual delivery or attestation) to the Company
      of other shares of Common Stock of the Company which have a Fair Market
      Value on the date of tender equal to the Exercise Price, provided that
      such shares have been owned by the Optionee for a period of at least six
      months free of any substantial risk of forfeiture or were purchased on the
      open market without assistance, direct or indirect, from the Company; or

            (iv) by any other method approved by the Administrator.

            (e) Issuance of Shares upon Exercise. Upon due exercise of the
Option, in whole or in part, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the
Company will issue to the Optionee, the brokerage firm specified in the
Optionee's delivery instructions pursuant to a broker-assisted cashless
exercise, or such other person exercising the Option, as the case may be, the
number of shares of Common Stock so paid for, in the form of fully paid and
nonassessable stock and will deliver certificates therefor as soon as
practicable thereafter. The stock certificates for any shares of Common Stock
issued hereunder will, unless such shares are registered or an exemption from
registration is available under applicable federal and state law, bear a legend
restricting transferability of such shares.

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      4. Termination of Employment or Service.

            (a) Exercise Period Following Cessation of Employment or Service
Relationship, In General. If the Optionee ceases to be employed by, or in a
service relationship with, the Company for any reason other than death,
Disability (as defined in Section 4(b) below) or discharge for Cause (as defined
in Section 4(d) below), (i) this Option will terminate immediately upon such
cessation to the extent it is unvested, and (ii) this Option will be exercisable
during the three (3) month period following such cessation with respect its
vested portion, but in no event after the Expiration Date. Unless sooner
terminated, this Option will terminate in its entirety upon the expiration of
such three (3) month period.

            (b) Disability of Optionee. Notwithstanding the provisions of
Section 4(a) above, if the Optionee ceases his employment or service
relationship with the Company as a result of his Disability, (i) this Option
will terminate immediately upon such cessation to the extent it is unvested, and
(ii) this Option will be exercisable during the one (1) year period following
such cessation with respect to its vested portion, but in no event after the
Expiration Date. Unless sooner terminated, this Option will terminate in its
entirety upon the expiration of such (1) year period. For purposes of this
Agreement, "Disability" shall have the meaning set forth in the employment
agreement entered into between the Optionee and the Company, as the same may be
amended from time to time, and shall be determined in a manner consistent with
the procedure set forth therein.

            (c) Death of Optionee. If the Optionee dies prior to the Expiration
Date or other termination of the Option, including if the Optionee dies during
the three (3) month period following termination of service for reasons other
than Cause, (i) this Option will terminate immediately upon the Optionee's death
to the extent it is unvested, and (ii) this Option will be exercisable during
the one (1) year period following the date of death of the Optionee with respect
to its vested portion, but in no event after the Expiration Date, by the
Optionee's executor, personal representative, or the person(s) to whom this
Option is transferred by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Unless
sooner terminated, this Option will terminate in its entirety upon the
expiration of such one (1) year period.

            (d) Cause. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, this
Option will terminate in its entirety, regardless of whether the Option is
vested in whole or in part, immediately upon the Optionee's discharge of
employment or service relationship for Cause or upon the Optionee's commission
of conduct constituting Cause during any period following the cessation of
employment or service relationship during which the Option otherwise would be
exercisable. For purposes of this Agreement, "Cause" shall have the meaning set
forth in the employment agreement entered into between the Optionee and the
Company, as the same may be amended from time to time, and shall be determined
in a manner consistent with the procedure set forth therein.

      5. Adjustments and Business Combinations.

            (a) Adjustments for Events Affecting Common Stock. In the event of
changes affecting the Company, the capitalization of the Company or the Common
Stock of the Company by reason of any stock dividend, spin-off, split-up,
recapitalization, merger, consolidation, business combination or exchange of
shares and the like, the Administrator will, in its discretion, make appropriate
adjustments to the number, kind and price of shares covered by this Option, and
will, in its discretion and without the consent of the Optionee, make any other
adjustments in this Option, including but not limited to reducing the number of
shares subject to the Option or providing or mandating alternative settlement
methods such as settlement of the

                                     - 4 -
<PAGE>

Option in cash or in shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company
or of any other entity, or in any other matters which relate to the Option as
the Administrator, in its sole discretion, determines to be necessary or
appropriate.

            (b) Reserved.

            (c) Adjustments for Unusual Events. The Administrator is authorized
to make, in its discretion and without the consent of the Optionee, adjustments
in the terms and conditions of, and the criteria included in, the Option in
recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events affecting the Company, or the
financial statements of the Company or any affiliate, or of changes in
applicable laws, regulations, or accounting principles, whenever the
Administrator determines that such adjustments are appropriate in order to
prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended
to be made available under the Option.

            (d) Binding Nature of Adjustments. Adjustments under this Section 5
will be made by the Administrator, whose determination as to what adjustments,
if any, will be made and the extent thereof will be final, binding and
conclusive. No fractional shares will be issued pursuant to this Option on
account of any such adjustments.

      6. Compliance with Securities Laws; Listing and Registration. If at any
time the Administrator determines that the delivery of Common Stock under this
Agreement is or may be unlawful under the laws of any applicable jurisdiction,
or federal or state securities laws, the right to exercise the Option or receive
shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Option shall be suspended until the
Administrator determines that such delivery is lawful. The Company shall have no
obligation to effect any registration or qualification of the Common Stock under
federal or state laws.

      The Company may require that the Optionee, as a condition to exercise of
the Option, and as a condition to the delivery of any share certificate, make
such written representations (including representations to the effect that such
person will not dispose of the Common Stock so acquired in violation of federal
or state securities laws) and furnish such information as may, in the opinion of
counsel for the Company, be appropriate to permit the Company to issue the
Common Stock in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws.

      7. Investment Representations. The Optionee represents, warrants and
covenants that:

      (a) Any shares purchased upon exercise of this Option shall be acquired
for the Optionee's account for investment only and not with a view to, or for
sale in connection with, any distribution of the shares in violation of the
Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act") or any rule or regulation under
the Securities Act, and that he will not distribute the same in violation of any
state or federal law or regulation.

      (b) The Optionee has had such opportunity as he has deemed adequate to
obtain from representatives of the Company such information as is necessary to
permit the Optionee to evaluate the merits and risks of his investment in the
Company.

      (c) The Optionee is able to bear the economic risk of holding shares
acquired pursuant to the exercise of this Option for an indefinite period.

      (d) The Optionee understands that (i) the shares acquired pursuant to the
exercise of this Option will not be registered under the Securities Act or under
the securities laws of any state

                                     - 5 -
<PAGE>

and are "restricted securities" within the meaning of Rule 144 under the
Securities Act; (ii) such shares cannot be sold, transferred or otherwise
disposed of unless they are subsequently registered under the Securities Act,
and such registration or qualification as may be necessary under the securities
laws of any state, or an exemption from registration is then available; (iii) in
any event, the exemption from registration under Rule 144 will not be available
for at least one year from date of exercise and even then will not be available
unless a public market then exists for the Common Stock, adequate information
concerning the Company is then available to the public and other terms and
conditions of Rule 144 are complied with; and (iv) there is as of the date of
this Agreement no registration statement on file with the Securities and
Exchange Commission with respect to any stock of the Company covered by this
Option and the Company has no obligation or current intention to register any
shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of this Option under the Securities
Act.

      By making payment upon exercise of this Option, the Optionee shall be
deemed to have reaffirmed, as of the date of such payment, the representations
made in this Section 7.

      8. Reservation of Shares. The Company will reserve and set apart and have
at all times, free from preemptive rights, a number of shares of authorized but
unissued Common Stock deliverable upon the exercise of this Option sufficient to
enable it at any time to fulfill all its obligations hereunder.

      9. Non-Guarantee of Employment or Consulting Relationship. Nothing in this
Agreement alters the at-will or other employment or consulting status of the
Optionee, nor is to be construed as a contract of employment or consulting
relationship between the Company and the Optionee, or as a contractual right of
Optionee to continue in the employ of, or in a consulting relationship with, the
Company, or as a limitation of the right of the Company to discharge the
Optionee at any time with or without cause or notice and whether or not such
discharge results in the failure of any portion of the Option to vest or any
other adverse effect on the Optionee's interests under this Agreement.

      10. No Rights as a Stockholder. The Optionee will not have any of the
rights of a stockholder with respect to the shares of Common Stock that may be
issued upon the exercise of the Option until such shares of Common Stock have
been issued to him upon the due exercise of the Option. No adjustment will be
made for dividends or distributions or other rights for which the record date is
prior to the date such certificate or certificates are issued.

      11. Nonstatutory Nature of the Option. This Option is not intended to
qualify as an "incentive stock option" within the meaning of Code section 422,
and this Agreement will be so construed. The Optionee acknowledges that, upon
exercise of this Option, the Optionee will recognize taxable income in an amount
equal to the excess of the then Fair Market Value of the shares over the
Exercise Price and must comply with the provisions of Section 12 of this
Agreement with respect to any tax withholding obligations that arise as a result
of such exercise.

      12. Withholding of Taxes. At the time the Option is exercised, in whole or
in part, or at any time thereafter as requested by the Company, the Optionee
hereby authorizes withholding from payroll or any other payment of any kind due
the Optionee and otherwise agrees to make adequate provision for foreign,
federal, state and local taxes required by law to be withheld, if any, which
arise in connection with the Option. The Company may require the Optionee to
make a cash payment to cover any withholding tax obligation as a condition of
exercise of the Option. If the Optionee does not make such payment when
requested, the Company may refuse to issue any stock certificate until
arrangements satisfactory to the Administrator for such payment have been made.

                                     - 6 -
<PAGE>

      The Company may, in its sole discretion, permit the Optionee to satisfy,
in whole or in part, any withholding tax obligation which may arise in
connection with the Option either by electing to have the Company withhold from
the shares to be issued upon exercise that number of shares, or by electing to
deliver to the Company already-owned shares, in either case having a Fair Market
Value equal to the amount necessary to satisfy the statutory minimum withholding
amount due.

      13. The Company's Rights. The existence of this Option will not affect in
any way the right or power of the Company or its stockholders to make or
authorize any or all adjustments, recapitalizations, reorganizations or other
changes in the Company's capital structure or its business, or any merger or
consolidation of the Company, or any issue of bonds, debentures, preferred or
other stocks with preference ahead of or convertible into, or otherwise
affecting the Common Stock or the rights thereof, or the dissolution or
liquidation of the Company, or any sale or transfer of all or any part of the
Company's assets or business, or any other corporate act or proceeding, whether
of a similar character or otherwise.

      14. Optionee. Whenever the word "Optionee" is used in any provision of
this Agreement under circumstances where the provision should logically be
construed, as determined by the Administrator, to apply to the estate, personal
representative or beneficiary to whom this Option may be transferred by will or
by the laws of descent and distribution, the word "Optionee" will be deemed to
include such person.

      15. Nontransferability of Option. This Option is nontransferable otherwise
than by will or the laws of descent and distribution and during the lifetime of
the Optionee, the Option may be exercised only by the Optionee or, during the
period the Optionee is under a legal disability, by the Optionee's guardian or
legal representative. Except as provided above, the Option may not be assigned,
transferred, pledged, hypothecated or disposed of in any way (whether by
operation of law or otherwise) and will not be subject to execution, attachment
or similar process.

      16. Notices. All notices and other communications made or given pursuant
to this Agreement will be in writing and will be sufficiently made or given if
hand delivered or mailed by certified mail, addressed to the Optionee at the
address contained in the records of the Company, or addressed to the Company for
the attention of its Corporate Secretary at its principal office or, if the
receiving party consents in advance, transmitted and received via telecopy or
via such other electronic transmission mechanism as may be available to the
parties.

      17. Effect of Administrator's Decision. All actions taken and decisions
and determinations made by the Administrator on all matters relating to this
Agreement pursuant to the powers vested in it hereunder shall be in the
Administrator's sole and absolute discretion and shall be conclusive and binding
on all parties concerned, including the Optionee, the Company, its stockholders,
director and officers, and their respective successors in interest.

      18. Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between
the parties with respect to the stock option granted hereunder. Any oral or
written agreements, representations, warranties, written inducements, or other
communications made prior to the execution of this Agreement with respect to the
stock option granted hereunder will be void and ineffective for all purposes.

      19. Amendment. This Agreement may be amended from time to time by the
Administrator in its discretion; provided, however, that this Agreement may not
be modified in a

                                     - 7 -
<PAGE>

manner that would have a materially adverse effect on the Option as determined
in the discretion of the Board of Directors, except as provided in a written
document signed by each of the parties hereto.

      20. Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Maryland, other than the conflict of
laws principles thereof.

      23. Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for reference purposes
only and will not affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed
by its duly authorized officer as of the date first above written.

ATTEST:                                 VISUAL NETWORKS, INC.

  /s/ Tracy Behzad                      By: /s/ Peter J. Minihane
---------------------------------           ------------------------------------

The undersigned hereby acknowledges that he has carefully read this Agreement
and agrees to be bound by all of the provisions set forth herein.

WITNESS:                                OPTIONEE

  /s/ Tracy Behzad                          /s/ Lawrence Barker
---------------------------------       ----------------------------------------

                                        Date: April 28, 2003

                                     - 8 -

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