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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.19

                            ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                                  BY AND AMONG

                          CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS, INC.,

                         CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS LIMITED

                                       AND

                               SYMBIONICS LIMITED

                                   DATED AS OF

                                    ___, 2000

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                            ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

        THIS ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is entered into as of
and effective on _____, 2000 by and among Cadence Design Systems, Inc., a
Delaware corporation ("Parent"), Cadence Design Systems Limited, a company
organized under the laws of the United Kingdom ("Seller"), and Symbionics
Limited, a company organized under the laws of the United Kingdom ("Buyer").
Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined elsewhere herein shall
have the meanings ascribed to them in Article I.

                                    RECITALS

        WHEREAS, Seller intends to sell and Buyer intends to purchase certain of
Seller's assets related to the business of providing design services for
electronic devices, electronic system components and electronic systems and
assume certain liabilities related to such assets;

        WHEREAS, the parties intend that, in exchange for consideration equal to
the Purchase Price (as defined below), Seller shall hereby transfer to Buyer on
the date hereof those assets set forth on Exhibit A hereto (the "Transferred
Assets") and Buyer shall hereby assume those liabilities set forth on Exhibit B
hereto (the "Transferred Liabilities", together with the Transferred Assets, the
"Purchased Assets"), as provided in this Agreement.

                                    AGREEMENT

        NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the covenants and
agreements set forth below, the parties hereto agree as follows:

                                    ARTICLE I

                                   DEFINITIONS

        "Buyer Group" means Buyer, the Partnership and any Subsidiary of the
Partnership.

        "Governmental Approvals" means any notices, reports or other filings to
be made with, or any consents, registrations, approvals, permits or
authorizations to be obtained from, any Governmental Authority.

        "Governmental Authority" means any local, foreign or international court
or government, or any political subdivision thereof, or any department,
commission, board, bureau, agency, official or other regulatory, administrative
body of any such government or political subdivision thereof.

        "Partnership" means Tality, LP, a Delaware limited partnership wholly
owned by Tality and one or more wholly owned Subsidiaries of Parent.

        "Parent Group" means Parent and each Subsidiary and other affiliate of
Parent other than Buyer, the Partnership and Subsidiaries of the Partnership.

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        "Person" means an individual, a partnership, a corporation, a limited
liability company, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint
venture, an unincorporated organization and a Governmental Authority.

        "Subsidiary" of any Person means any other Person of which at least a
majority of the securities or interests having by the terms thereof ordinary
voting power to elect at least a majority of the board of directors or other
body performing similar functions with respect to such other Person is directly
or indirectly owned or controlled by such Person, or by any one or more of its
Subsidiaries, or by such Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries.

        "Tality" means Tality Corporation, a Delaware corporation and a
Subsidiary of Parent.

                                   ARTICLE II

                        PURCHASE, TRANSFER AND ASSUMPTION

        Section 2.1 Transfer of Assets and Assumption of Liabilities.

            (a) Transfer of Assets. On the date hereof, Seller hereby assigns,
transfers, conveys and delivers to Buyer, and Buyer hereby accepts from Seller,
all of Seller's right, title and interest in and to the Transferred Assets and
the beneficial and economic ownership of the Transferred Assets. Delivery of the
Transferred Assets shall take place in situ and on and from the date hereof the
Seller shall let the Buyer into possession of the Transferred Assets.

            (b) Assumption of Liabilities. On the date hereof, Buyer hereby
assumes and agrees faithfully to perform and fulfill all the Transferred
Liabilities owed by Seller in accordance with their respective terms and shall
indemnify and hold harmless the Seller against the Transferred Liabilities and
all costs, claims, demands, liabilities and expenses in respect of the
Transferred Liabilities. Thereafter, Buyer shall be responsible for all
Transferred Liabilities owed by Seller, regardless of when or where such
Transferred Liabilities arose or arise, or whether the facts on which they are
based occurred prior to, on or after the date hereof, regardless of where or
against whom such Transferred Liabilities are asserted or determined or whether
asserted or determined prior to the date hereof, and regardless of whether
arising from or alleged to arise from negligence, recklessness, violation of
law, fraud or misrepresentation by any member of the Parent Group or any of
their respective directors, officers, employees or agents.

            (c) Except as may be expressly set forth herein, all assets,
properties and other things of value to be transferred to, and all liabilities
to be assumed by, Buyer are being transferred or assumed, as applicable, "AS IS,
WHERE IS," and Buyer shall bear the economic and legal risk that any conveyance
shall prove to be insufficient to vest in Buyer good and marketable title, free
and clear of any lien, claim, equity or other encumbrance.

        Section 2.2 Purchase Price; Terms of Payment.

            (a) Determination of Purchase Price. Parent retained an independent
third party, Houlihan Lokey Howard & Zukin (the "Valuation Expert"), to
determine the fair market

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value of the Purchased Assets as of the date of this Agreement (the "Purchase
Price"). The parties hereby agree that the purchase price to be paid for the
Purchased Assets shall equal the Purchase Price as so determined by the
Valuation Expert and that the determination of the Valuation Expert that the
Purchase Price equal US$28,000,000 shall be final and binding on the parties.
The cost of the Valuation Expert shall be borne by Parent.

            (b) Terms of Payment of Purchase Price.

                (i) On the date hereof, Buyer shall pay to Seller the Purchase
Price.

                (ii) In the event of a final determination that, for applicable
income-tax purposes, the Purchase Price paid for the Purchased Assets hereunder
does not reflect the actual fair market value of the Purchased Assets or
otherwise is not an arm's-length price, the parties hereby agree that the
Purchase Price shall be adjusted to equal the amount so established by such
final determination (which the parties will endeavor to resolve through
competent authority proceedings if commercially feasible). Any increase in the
Purchase Price shall be paid to Seller by Buyer, and any decrease in the
Purchase Price shall be paid to Buyer by Seller; such amounts shall be paid no
later than thirty (30) days following the date that such final determination
becomes final, and shall be increased by interest from the date hereof through
the date of payment at the rate of 6.0%, compounded monthly, less any interest
theretofore paid under clause (iv) hereof by the party required to make the
payment under this clause (ii). If more than one taxing jurisdiction claims that
the fair market value of or arm's-length price for the Purchased Assets differs
from the Purchase Price previously paid hereunder, and such determinations
differ from each other and are not resolved through competent authority
proceedings, the payment required hereunder shall be based on the average of the
values as finally determined under the laws of each taxing jurisdiction.

                (iii) Amounts required to be paid hereunder shall be paid by
wire transfer to an account designated by Seller or Buyer, as the case may be,
or by such other method agreed upon by Buyer and Seller.

                (iv) Amounts due but not paid within the time prescribed
hereunder for payment shall accrue interest from the time so prescribed to the
time of payment at the rate of 10% compounded monthly or, if lower, the maximum
rate permitted by applicable law.

        Section 2.3 Classification of Transferred Assets.

            (a) Mistaken Allocations. There may exist (i) assets that the
parties discover were, contrary to the agreements between the parties, by
mistake or omission, included or not included, as the case may be, within the
Transferred Assets or (ii) liabilities that the parties discover were, contrary
to the agreements between the parties, by mistake or omission, included or not
included, within the Transferred Liabilities. The parties hereto shall cooperate
in good faith to effect the transfer or re-transfer of such assets, and/or the
assumption or re-assumption of

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such liabilities, to or by the appropriate party and shall not use the
determination that remedial actions need to be taken to alter the original
intent of the parties hereto with respect to the assets to be transferred to or
liabilities to be assumed by Buyer. Prior to any such transfer, the Person
receiving or possessing such asset shall hold such asset in trust for the other
Person. Each party shall reimburse the other or make other financial adjustments
(including cash reserves) or other adjustments to remedy any mistakes or
omissions relating to any of the assets transferred hereby or any of the
liabilities assumed hereby.

            (b) Documents Relating to Transfers of Assets and Assumption of
Liabilities. In furtherance of the assignment, transfer and conveyance of the
Transferred Assets and the assumption of the Transferred Liabilities,
simultaneously with the execution and delivery hereof or as promptly as
practicable thereafter, (i) Seller shall execute and deliver such instruments of
transfer, conveyance and assignment as and to the extent necessary to evidence
the transfer, conveyance and assignment of all of Seller's right, title and
interest in and to the Transferred Assets to Buyer; and (ii) Buyer shall execute
and deliver to Seller such assumptions of contracts and other instruments of
assumption as and to the extent necessary to evidence the valid and effective
assumption of the Transferred Liabilities by Buyer. Buyer and Seller shall also
cooperate to evidence the retention by Seller of any Excluded Assets (as defined
in Exhibit A).

        Section 2.4 Governmental Approvals and Third-Party Approvals.

            (a) Transfer In Violation of Laws or Contracts. If and to the extent
that the valid, complete and perfected transfer or assignment to Buyer of any of
the Purchased Assets would be a violation of applicable laws or require any
third-party approval or Governmental Approval, then, unless the parties shall
otherwise determine, the transfer or assignment to or from the Buyer, as the
case may be, of such Transferred Assets shall be automatically deemed deferred
and any such purported transfer or assignment shall be null and void until such
time as all legal impediments are removed and/or such third-party approval or
Governmental Approvals have been obtained. Notwithstanding the foregoing, such
asset shall still be considered a Transferred Asset for purposes of determining
whether any liability is a Transferred Liability; provided, however, that if
such third-party approvals or Governmental Approvals have not been obtained
within six months after the date hereof, the parties shall use their reasonable
commercial efforts to achieve an alternative solution in accordance with the
parties' intentions.

            (b) Transfers Not Consummated as of the Date Hereof. If the transfer
or assignment of any assets intended to be transferred or assigned hereunder is
not consummated prior to or on the date hereof, whether as a result of the
provisions of Section 2.4(a) or for any other reason, then the Person retaining
such asset shall thereafter hold such asset for the use and benefit, insofar as
reasonably possible, of the Person entitled thereto (at the expense of the
Person entitled thereto). In addition, the Person retaining such asset shall
take such other actions as may be reasonably requested by the Person to whom
such asset is to be transferred in order to place such Person, insofar as
reasonably possible, in the same position as if such asset had been transferred
as contemplated hereby and so that all the benefits and burdens relating to such
Transferred Assets, including possession, use, risk of loss, potential for gain,
and dominion, control and command over such assets, are to inure from and after
the date hereof to the Buyer (or the Seller, as the case may be). If and when
the third-party approvals and/or Governmental Approvals, the absence of which
caused the deferral of transfer of any asset pursuant to Section

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2.4(a), are obtained, the transfer of the applicable asset shall be effected in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

            (c) Expenses. The Person retaining an asset due to the deferral of
the transfer of such asset shall not be obligated, in connection with the
foregoing, to expend any money unless the necessary funds are advanced by the
Person entitled to the asset, other than reasonable out-of-pocket expenses,
attorneys' fees and recording or similar fees, all of which shall be promptly
reimbursed by the Person entitled to such asset.

        Section 2.5 Novation of Assumed Liabilities.

            (a) Reasonable Commercial Efforts. Each of Seller and Buyer, at the
request of the other, shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to obtain,
or to cause to be obtained, any consent, substitution, approval or amendment
required to novate all rights and obligations under agreements, leases, licenses
and other obligations or liabilities of any nature whatsoever that constitute
Transferred Liabilities or to obtain in writing the unconditional release of all
parties to such arrangements other than Buyer, so that, in any such case, Buyer
and its Subsidiaries shall be solely responsible for such liabilities; provided,
however, that none of Seller, Buyer and their respective Subsidiaries shall be
obligated to pay any consideration therefor to any third party from whom such
consents, approvals, substitutions and amendments are requested.

            (b) Inability to Obtain Novation. If Seller or Buyer is unable to
obtain, or to cause to be obtained, any such required novation, consent,
approval, release, substitution or amendment, the applicable Person shall
continue to be bound by such agreements, leases, licenses and other obligations
and, unless not permitted by law or the terms thereof (except to the extent
expressly set forth in this Agreement), Buyer shall, as agent or subcontractor
for Seller or such other Person, as the case may be, pay, perform and discharge
fully, or cause to be paid, transferred or discharged all the obligations or
other liabilities of Seller or such other Person, as the case may be, thereunder
from and after the date hereof. Seller shall, without further consideration, pay
and remit, or cause to be paid or remitted, to Buyer or its appropriate
Subsidiary promptly all money, rights and other consideration received by it or
any other member of Parent Group in respect of such performance. If and when any
such consent, approval, release, substitution or amendment shall be obtained or
such agreement, lease, license or other rights or obligations shall otherwise
become assignable or able to be novated, Seller shall thereafter assign, or
cause to be assigned, all its rights, obligations and other liabilities
thereunder to Buyer without payment of further consideration and Buyer shall,
without the payment of any further consideration, assume such rights and
obligations.

                                   ARTICLE III

                                 OTHER COVENANTS

        Section 3.1 Retention of Records; Cooperation.

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            (a) Buyer will for the maximum period required by law keep safely
and in reasonable condition all such books, records and documents and other
things relating to the Purchased Assets as Seller shall transfer or cause to be
transferred to Buyer and shall afford Seller reasonable access to such books and
records for so long as shall be necessary to enable Seller to deal with its
taxation (including VAT) liability in respect of the period up to the date
hereof and will permit Seller and Seller's servants, agents and professional
advisers to have access to and to take copies of such records for such purpose.

            (b) Seller will for the maximum period required by law keep safely
and in reasonable condition any books, records and documents and other things
retained by Seller relating to the Purchased Assets and shall afford Buyer
reasonable access to such books and records for so long as shall be necessary to
enable Buyer properly to carry on the Business and will permit Buyer and Buyer's
servants, agents and professional advisers to have access to and to take copies
of such records for such purpose.

        Section 3.2 Relationship with Scottish Enterprise and Scottish
Executive. As to the facilities owned by Seller located in Livingston, United
Kingdom, and the relationships between (i) Scottish Enterprise, on the one hand,
and Parent and Seller, on the other hand, and (ii) Scottish Executive, on the
one hand, and Parent and Seller, on the other hand, the parties agree as
follows:

              (a) Transfer of Scottish Enterprise Contractual Rights and
       Obligations. Subject to the consent of Scottish Enterprise, and as
       promptly as practicable after the receipt of such consent, Parent and
       Seller shall transfer (or cause to be transferred) to Buyer, all of the
       rights and interests, and Buyer shall assume the liabilities, obligations
       and commitments, of Parent, Seller and their Subsidiaries under that
       certain Master Agreement between Seller and Scottish Enterprise dated
       March 24, 1998, as amended (the "Master Agreement"), and all the
       agreements related thereto (collectively, the "Service Contract");
       provided, however, that (i) Seller shall retain its obligations and
       continue to be bound by certain mutually agreed upon provisions of the
       Master Agreement and by that certain Premises Agreement between Seller
       and Scottish Enterprise dated March 24, 1998, that certain Methodologies
       and Materials License between Seller and Scottish Enterprise dated March
       24, 1998, that certain Software Licence between Seller and Scottish
       Enterprise dated March 24, 1998 and that certain Beta Software Licence
       between Seller and Scottish Enterprise dated March 24, 1998 (the
       "Retained Obligations"); (ii) Buyer shall not assume certain mutually
       agreed upon obligations included among the Retained Obligations; and
       (iii) Parent shall retain its obligations and continue to guaranty the
       performance of Buyer under the Service Contract pursuant to that certain
       Guarantee by Parent in favor of Scottish Enterprise dated March 24, 1998.

              (b) Transfer of Scottish Executive Contractual Rights and
       Obligations. Subject to the consent of Scottish Executive, and as
       promptly as practicable after the receipt of such consent, Seller and
       Buyer shall agree upon their respective rights, interests, liabilities,
       obligations and commitments under that certain Offer of Regional
       Selective Assistance between Seller and the Scottish Office dated
       December 5, 1997, as amended (the "RSA Grant"); provided, however, that
       such rights, interests, liabilities, obligations and commitments shall
       include compliance with the obligations of each part pursuant to Sections
       3.2(c), (d), (e) and (f) below.

              (c) Cadence Capital and Headcount Commitments. Each of Buyer and
       Seller and Buyer shall meet or exceed its respective (i) capital
       expenditure commitments in relation to the Service Contract, the RSA
       Grant and the Livingston facility set forth on Schedule 3.2(a) and (ii)
       employee commitments in relation to the Service Contract, the RSA Grant
       and the Livingston facility set forth on Schedule 3.2(b).

              (d) Facility Arrangement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
       contained herein, Seller shall retain ownership of the Livingston
       facility and lease a certain portion of that space to Buyer pursuant to
       mutually agreed upon terms. Buyer shall compensate Parent or Seller for
       services related to its occupancy of the Livingston facility pursuant to
       mutually agreed upon terms.

              (e) Subsidies. After the Separation Date as defined under that
       certain Master Separation Agreement, dated July 14, 2000, by and among,
       Parent, Tality and Cadence Holdings, Inc., as amended (the "Separation
       Agreement"), if subsidy payments received prior to the Separation Date by
       members of the Parent Group pursuant to the Service Contract or the RSA
       Grant must be refunded, the Parent Group shall be responsible for
       contributing 95% of any such payments and the Buyer Group shall
       contribute the remaining 5%. All subsidy payments received after the
       Separation Date by any member of the Parent Group or the Buyer Group or
       any of their respective Subsidiaries pursuant to the Service Contract or
       the RSA Grant ("Post-Separation Subsidy"), and any obligation to refund
       any Post-Separation Subsidy (a "Post-Separation Subsidy Clawback"), shall
       be shared between the Parent Group and the Buyer Group based upon their
       pro rata portion of (i)(A) the additional full time equivalent positions
       ("FTEs") considered for the subsidy determination during the relevant
       period under the Service Contract and the RSA Grant, multiplied by (B)
       five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000), four hundred thousand dollars
       ($400,000), three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000), two hundred
       thousand dollars ($200,000) or one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000)
       for subsidies based on the additional FTE's provided in 2000, 2001, 2002,
       2003 or 2004, respectively; plus (ii) the additional capital expenditures
       considered for the subsidy determination during the relevant period under
       the Service Contract and the RSA Grant (each party's respective "Subsidy
       Allocation", in the case of a Post-Separation Subsidy, or "Clawback
       Allocation", in the case of a Post-Separation Subsidy Clawback).

              The Parent Group's and the Buyer Group's "Net Allocation" shall
       equal the Parent Group's and the Buyer Group's respective Subsidy
       Allocation less its Clawback Allocation, if any. If any Post-Separation
       Subsidy is reduced or a Post-Separation Subsidy Clawback occurs due to
       the failure of either Seller or Buyer to achieve the commitments set
       forth on Schedule 3.2(a) or Schedule 3.2(b), the Parent Group or the
       Buyer Group, respectively, shall be liable to the other for the
       difference between the Net Allocation actually received by the other
       party and the Net Allocation the other party would have received had both
       Seller and Buyer satisfied in full their respective commitments under
       Schedule 3.2(a) or Schedule 3.2(b), as applicable.

              (f) Cooperation and Support. Parent and Seller shall cooperate
       with Buyer in good faith to assist in the management and administration
       of Buyer's obligations under the Service Contract and the RSA Grant.

              (g) Modification Required by Law. The parties agree to modify this
       Section 3.2 to the extent required to comply with applicable law.

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        Section 3.3 Terms of Buyer Employment. Subject to Section 4.6 of the
Separation Agreement, all basic terms and conditions of employment for employees
of Parent or Seller, who are transferred to the Buyer pursuant to this
Agreement, including, without limitation, their pay and benefits in the
aggregate, shall, to the extent legally and practicably possible, remain
substantially the same as the terms and conditions that were in place when the
employees were employed by Seller or Parent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, all
employees of Seller or Parent transferred to Buyer hereunder shall be required,
to the extent permissible under applicable law, to execute new agreements
regarding their employment status, proprietary information and inventions in a
form approved by the Buyer effective by the date hereof, and also to execute
such standard documents as are generally executed by employees leaving their
employment with Seller or Parent. In addition, nothing in this Agreement should
be construed to change the at-will status of the employment of any of the
employees of Parent, Seller or Buyer.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

        Section 4.1 Limitation of Liability. IN NO EVENT SHALL ANY PARTY
HEREUNDER BE LIABLE TO ANOTHER PARTY, FOR ANY SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, INDIRECT,
INCIDENTAL OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES OR LOST PROFITS, HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY
OF LIABILITY (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR
ANY ANCILLARY AGREEMENT, WHETHER OR NOT SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE
POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

        Section 4.2 Buyer Acknowledgment. Buyer acknowledges that (1) it is
acquiring the Transferred Assets on an as is, where is basis, (2) it shall,
without investigation, objection or requisition accept such title as Seller has
to the Transferred Assets, and (3) accordingly, save as expressly set out in
this agreement, no representations, warranties or other assurances of any kind
are given by or on behalf of Seller and on which Buyer may rely in entering into
this Agreement and on other statement, promise or forecast made by or on behalf
of Seller may form the basis of, or be pleaded in connection with, any claim by
Buyer under or in connection with this Agreement.

        Section 4.3 Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Exhibits and
Schedules referenced or attached hereto, constitute the entire agreement between
the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and shall
supersede all prior written and oral and all contemporaneous oral agreements and
understandings with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof.

        Section 4.4 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed in
accordance with and all disputes hereunder shall be governed by the laws of the
State of Delaware, excluding its conflict of law rules. In the event of a
dispute the resolution of which is not otherwise addressed herein, such dispute
shall be resolved in accordance with the provisions of Exhibit C hereto.

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        Section 4.5 Notices. Notices, offers, requests or other communications
required or permitted to be given by either party pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement shall be given in writing to the respective parties to the following
addresses:

if to Parent:

Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
2655 Seely Avenue, Bldg. 5
San Jose, CA 95134
Attention:  General Counsel
Fax:  (408) 944-6855

if to Buyer:

Symbionics Limited
2655 Seely Avenue, Bldg. 5
San Jose, CA 95134
Attention:  General Counsel
Fax:  (408) 944-6855

if to Seller:

Cadence Design Systems Limited
2655 Seely Avenue, Bldg. 5
San Jose, CA 95134
Attention:  Robert de Vries
Fax:  (408) 428-4087

or to such other address as the party to whom notice is given may have
previously furnished to the other in writing as provided herein. Any notice
involving non-performance, termination, or renewal shall be sent by hand
delivery, recognized overnight courier or, within the United States, may also be
sent via certified U.S. mail, return receipt requested. All other notices may
also be sent by fax, confirmed by first class mail. All notices shall be deemed
to have been given and received on the earlier of actual delivery or three (3)
days from the date of postmark.

        Section 4.6 Counterparts. This Agreement and the Exhibits and Schedules
hereto, and the other documents referred to herein, may be executed in
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which
shall constitute one and the same agreement.

        Section 4.7 Binding Effect; Assignment. This Agreement shall inure to
the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective legal
representatives and successors, and nothing in this Agreement, express or
implied, is intended to confer upon any other Person any rights or remedies of
any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement. Neither Buyer nor
Seller may assign this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder, without
the prior written consent of the other party and Parent, and any such assignment
shall be void.

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        Section 4.8 Severability. If any term or other provision of this
Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, or any of the Exhibits and Schedules
attached hereto is determined by a court, administrative agency or arbitrator to
be invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule of law or public
policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless
remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of
the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially
adverse to any of the parties. Upon such determination that any term or other
provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto
shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the
original intent of the parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner to
the end that transactions contemplated hereby are fulfilled to the fullest
extent possible.

        Section 4.9 Failure or Delay Not Waiver; Remedies Cumulative. No failure
or delay on the part of any party hereto in the exercise of any right hereunder
shall impair such right or be construed to be a waiver of, or acquiescence in,
any breach of any representation, warranty or agreement herein, nor shall any
single or partial exercise of any such right preclude other or further exercise
thereof or of any other right. All rights and remedies existing under this
Agreement, or the Exhibits or Schedules attached hereto are cumulative to, and
not exclusive of, any rights or remedies otherwise available.

        Section 4.10 Amendment. No modification or amendment shall be made to
this Agreement, or the Exhibits or Schedules attached hereto, except by an
instrument in writing signed on behalf of each of the parties to such agreement.

        Section 4.11 Authority. Each of the parties hereto represents to the
others that (a) it has the corporate or other requisite power and authority to
execute, deliver and perform this Agreement; (b) the execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement by it have been duly authorized by all necessary
corporate or other actions; (c) it has duly and validly executed and delivered
this Agreement; and (d) this Agreement is a legal, valid and binding obligation,
enforceable against it in accordance with its terms subject to applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws
affecting creditors' rights generally and general equity principles.

        Section 4.12 Interpretation. The headings contained in this Agreement,
in any Exhibit or Schedule hereto and in the table of contents to this Agreement
are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or
interpretation of this Agreement. Any capitalized term used in any Exhibit or
Schedule hereto but not otherwise defined therein, shall have the meaning
assigned to such term in this Agreement. When a reference is made in this
Agreement to an Article or a Section, Exhibit or Schedule, such reference shall
be to an Article or Section of, or an Exhibit or Schedule to, this Agreement, as
the case may be, unless otherwise indicated. All Exhibits and Schedules hereto
are incorporated into and made a part of this Agreement. The terms "including"
and "include" employed in this Agreement (including any of the Exhibits and
Schedules incorporated into and made a part of this Agreement) mean "including,
without limitation," and "includes, without limitation," respectively.

        Section 4.13 Payment of Expenses. Each of Buyer and Seller shall be
responsible for its own costs and expenses.

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        Section 4.14 Transfer Taxes. Seller shall pay any and all sales, use,
transfer and other taxes (except for any stamp duties and value added taxes) in
the nature of transfer taxes arising from the transfers contemplated herein.

        Section 4.15 Value Added Taxes.

            (a) Subject to the provisions of this Section 4.15, the parties
intend that the provisions of Article 5 of the Value Added Tax (Special
Provisions) Order 1995 should apply to the sale hereunder and accordingly that
the sale hereby contemplated should be treated as neither a supply of goods nor
a supply of services for value added tax purposes.

            (b) Seller warrants that it is registered for value added tax and
Buyer warrants that it is, or will as a result of the sale and purchase
hereunder become, a taxable person for value added tax purposes.

            (c) The Purchase Price is exclusive of any value added tax properly
payable in respect thereof. If HM Customs & Excise shall determine in writing
after full disclosure of all material facts that value added tax is payable on
the whole or any part of the Purchase Price, any such value added tax shall be
paid by Buyer to Seller upon receipt of a valid value added tax invoice
complying with the provisions of Part III of the Value Added Tax (General)
Regulations 1995 and a copy of the determination by HM Customs & Excise and the
documents disclosing all material facts.

            (d) Seller shall, following completion of its value added tax return
for the period in which the transfer and the sale and purchase of the Purchased
Assets hereunder takes place, deliver to Buyer all the records of the Purchased
Assets which for value added tax purposes are required by Section 49(1)(b) VAT
Act to be preserved by Buyer.

                                       12
<PAGE>   12

        WHEREFORE, the parties executed and delivered this Asset Purchase
Agreement as of the date first set forth above.

CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS LIMITED            SYMBIONICS LIMITED

By:                                       By:
  ---------------------------                 -----------------------------
Name:                                     Name:
    -------------------------                  ----------------------------
Title:                                    Title:
     ------------------------                   ---------------------------

CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS, INC.

By:
  ---------------------------
Name:
     ------------------------
Title:
     ------------------------

                                       13<PAGE>   1
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.4

                             GADZOOX NETWORKS, INC.

                      2000 NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION PLAN

       1.     Purposes of the Plan. The purposes of this Nonstatutory Stock
              Option Plan are:

              -      to attract and retain the best available personnel for
                     positions of substantial responsibility,

              -      to provide additional incentive to Employees and
                     Consultants, and

              -      to promote the success of the Company's business.

              Options granted under the Plan will be Nonstatutory Stock Options.

       2.     Definitions. As used herein, the following definitions shall
              apply:

              (a) "Administrator" means the Board or any of its Committees as
shall be administering the Plan, in accordance with Section 4 of the Plan.

              (b) "Applicable Laws" means the requirements relating to the
administration of stock option plans under U.S. state corporate laws, U.S.
federal and state securities laws, the Code, any stock exchange or quotation
system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted and the applicable laws of
any foreign country or jurisdiction where Options are, or will be, granted under
the Plan.

              (c) "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

              (d) "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

              (e) "Committee" means a committee of Directors appointed by the
Board in accordance with Section 4 of the Plan.

              (f) "Common Stock" means the Common Stock of the Company.

              (g) "Company" means Gadzoox Networks, Inc.

              (h) "Consultant" means any person, including an advisor, engaged
by the Company or a Parent or Subsidiary to render services to such entity.

              (i) "Director" means a member of the Board.

              (j) "Disability" means total and permanent disability as defined
in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.

<PAGE>   2

              (k) "Employee" means any person, including Officers, employed by
the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company. A Service Provider shall
not cease to be an Employee in the case of (i) any leave of absence approved by
the Company or (ii) transfers between locations of the Company or between the
Company, its Parent, any Subsidiary, or any successor. Neither service as a
Director nor payment of a director's fee by the Company shall be sufficient to
constitute "employment" by the Company.

              (l) "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.

              (m) "Fair Market Value" means, as of any date, the value of Common
Stock determined as follows:

                     (i) If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock
exchange or a national market system, including without limitation the Nasdaq
National Market or The Nasdaq SmallCap Market of The Nasdaq Stock Market, its
Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales price for such stock (or the
closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on such exchange or system for
the last market trading day prior to the time of determination, as reported in
The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems
reliable;

                     (ii) If the Common Stock is regularly quoted by a
recognized securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, the Fair
Market Value of a Share of Common Stock shall be the mean between the high bid
and low asked prices for the Common Stock on the last market trading day prior
to the day of determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such
other source as the Administrator deems reliable;

                     (iii) In the absence of an established market for the
Common Stock, the Fair Market Value shall be determined in good faith by the
Administrator.

              (n) "Notice of Grant" means a written or electronic notice
evidencing certain terms and conditions of an individual Option grant. The
Notice of Grant is part of the Option Agreement.

              (o) "Officer" means a person who is an officer of the Company
within the meaning of Nasdaq guidelines, including all employees with the
corporate rank of vice-president or higher, and employees with lesser rank but
comparable authority.

              (p) "Option" means a nonstatutory stock option granted pursuant to
the Plan, that is not intended to qualify as an incentive stock option within
the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and the regulations promulgated
thereunder.

              (q) "Option Agreement" means an agreement between the Company and
an Optionee evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Option grant.
The Option Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>   3

              (r) "Optioned Stock" means the Common Stock subject to an Option.

              (s) "Optionee" means the holder of an outstanding Option granted
under the Plan.

              (t) "Parent" means a "parent corporation," whether now or
hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.

              (u) "Plan" means this 2000 Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan.

              (v) "Service Provider" means an Employee, Consultant or Director.

              (w) "Share" means a share of the Common Stock, as adjusted in
accordance with Section 12 of the Plan.

              (x) "Subsidiary" means a "subsidiary corporation," whether now or
hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.

       3. Stock Subject to the Plan. Subject to the provisions of Section 12 of
the Plan, the maximum aggregate number of Shares which may be optioned and sold
under the Plan is one million six hundred thousand (1,600,000) Shares. The
Shares may be authorized, but unissued, or reacquired Common Stock.

              If an Option expires or becomes unexercisable without having been
exercised in full, the unpurchased Shares which were subject thereto shall
become available for future grant or sale under the Plan (unless the Plan has
terminated).

       4. Administration of the Plan.

              (a) Administration. The Plan shall be administered by (i) the
Board or (ii) a Committee, which Committee shall be constituted to satisfy
Applicable Laws.

              (b) Powers of the Administrator. Subject to the provisions of the
Plan, and in the case of a Committee, subject to the specific duties delegated
by the Board to such Committee, the Administrator shall have the authority, in
its discretion:

                     (i) to determine the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock;

                     (ii) to select the Service Providers to whom Options may be
granted hereunder;

                     (iii) to determine whether and to what extent Options are
granted hereunder;

                     (iv) to determine the number of shares of Common Stock to
be covered by each Option granted hereunder;

                                      -3-
<PAGE>   4

                     (v) to approve forms of agreement for use under the Plan;

                     (vi) to determine the terms and conditions, not
inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any award granted hereunder. Such
terms and conditions include, but are not limited to, the exercise price, the
time or times when Options may be exercised (which may be based on performance
criteria), any vesting acceleration or waiver of forfeiture restrictions, and
any restriction or limitation regarding any Option or the shares of Common Stock
relating thereto, based in each case on such factors as the Administrator, in
its sole discretion, shall determine;

                     (vii) to construe and interpret the terms of the Plan and
awards granted pursuant to the Plan;

                     (viii) to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and
regulations relating to the Plan, including rules and regulations relating to
sub-plans established for the purpose of qualifying for preferred tax treatment
under foreign tax laws;

                     (ix) to modify or amend each Option (subject to Section
14(b) of the Plan), including the discretionary authority to extend the
post-termination exercisability period of Options longer than is otherwise
provided for in the Plan;

                     (x) to authorize any person to execute on behalf of the
Company any instrument required to effect the grant of an Option previously
granted by the Administrator;

                     (xi) to determine the terms and restrictions applicable to
Options;

                     (xii) to allow Optionees to satisfy withholding tax
obligations by electing to have the Company withhold from the Shares to be
issued upon exercise of an Option that number of Shares having a Fair Market
Value equal to the amount required to be withheld (but not more than the amount
required to be withheld). The Fair Market Value of the Shares to be withheld
shall be determined on the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is to be
determined. All elections by an Optionee to have Shares withheld for this
purpose shall be made in such form and under such conditions as the
Administrator may deem necessary or advisable; and

                     (xiii) to make all other determinations deemed necessary or
advisable for administering the Plan.

              (c) Effect of Administrator's Decision. The Administrator's
decisions, determinations and interpretations shall be final and binding on all
Optionees and any other holders of Options.

       5. Eligibility. Options may be granted to Service Providers; provided,
however, that Options may not be granted to Officers and Directors, except as an
essential inducement to an Officer entering into an employment agreement
regarding his or her initial service with the Company.

                                      -4-
<PAGE>   5

       6. Limitation. Neither the Plan nor any Option shall confer upon an
Optionee any right with respect to continuing the Optionee's relationship as a
Service Provider with the Company, nor shall they interfere in any way with the
Optionee's right or the Company's right to terminate such relationship at any
time, with or without cause.

       7. Term of Plan. The Plan shall become effective upon its adoption by the
Board. It shall continue in effect for ten (10) years, unless sooner terminated
under Section 14 of the Plan.

       8. Term of Option. The term of each Option shall be stated in the Option
Agreement.

       9. Option Exercise Price and Consideration.

              (a) Exercise Price. The per share exercise price for the Shares to
be issued pursuant to exercise of an Option shall be determined by the
Administrator.

              (b) Waiting Period and Exercise Dates. At the time an Option is
granted, the Administrator shall fix the period within which the Option may be
exercised and shall determine any conditions which must be satisfied before the
Option may be exercised.

              (c) Form of Consideration. The Administrator shall determine the
acceptable form of consideration for exercising an Option, including the method
of payment. Such consideration may consist entirely of:

                     (i) cash;

                     (ii) check;

                     (iii) promissory note;

                     (iv) other Shares which (A) in the case of Shares acquired
upon exercise of an option, have been owned by the Optionee for more than six
months on the date of surrender, and (B) have a Fair Market Value on the date of
surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Shares as to which said
Option shall be exercised;

                     (v) consideration received by the Company under a cashless
exercise program implemented by the Company in connection with the Plan;

                     (vi) such other consideration and method of payment for the
issuance of Shares to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws; or

                     (vii) any combination of the foregoing methods of payment.

                                      -5-
<PAGE>   6

       10. Exercise of Option.

              (a) Procedure for Exercise; Rights as a Shareholder. Any Option
granted hereunder shall be exercisable according to the terms of the Plan and at
such times and under such conditions as determined by the Administrator and set
forth in the Option Agreement. An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of
a Share.

                     An Option shall be deemed exercised when the Company
receives: (i) written or electronic notice of exercise (in accordance with the
Option Agreement) from the person entitled to exercise the Option, and (ii) full
payment for the Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised. Full
payment may consist of any consideration and method of payment authorized by the
Administrator and permitted by the Option Agreement and the Plan. Shares issued
upon exercise of an Option shall be issued in the name of the Optionee or, if
requested by the Optionee, in the name of the Optionee and his or her spouse.
Until the Shares are issued (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books
of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company), no right
to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a shareholder shall exist
with respect to the Optioned Stock, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option.
The Company shall issue (or cause to be issued) such Shares promptly after the
Option is exercised. No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right
for which the record date is prior to the date the Shares are issued, except as
provided in Section 12 of the Plan.

                     Exercising an Option in any manner shall decrease the
number of Shares thereafter available, both for purposes of the Plan and for
sale under the Option, by the number of Shares as to which the Option is
exercised.

              (b) Termination of Relationship as a Service Provider. If an
Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider, other than upon the Optionee's death
or Disability, the Optionee may exercise his or her Option, but only within such
period of time as is specified in the Option Agreement, and only to the extent
that the Option is vested on the date of termination (but in no event later than
the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Option Agreement).
In the absence of a specified time in the Option Agreement, the Option shall
remain exercisable for three (3) months following the Optionee's termination.
If, on the date of termination, the Optionee is not vested as to his or her
entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option shall
revert to the Plan. If, after termination, the Optionee does not exercise his or
her Option within the time specified by the Administrator, the Option shall
terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan.

              (c) Disability of Optionee. If an Optionee ceases to be a Service
Provider as a result of the Optionee's Disability, the Optionee may exercise his
or her Option within such period of time as is specified in the Option
Agreement, to the extent the Option is vested on the date of termination (but in
no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in
the Option Agreement). In the absence of a specified time in the Option
Agreement, the Option shall remain exercisable for twelve (12) months following
the Optionee's termination. If, on the date of termination, the Optionee is not
vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the

                                      -6-
<PAGE>   7

unvested portion of the Option shall revert to the Plan. If, after termination,
the Optionee does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified
herein, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall
revert to the Plan.

              (d) Death of Optionee. If an Optionee dies while a Service
Provider, the Option may be exercised within such period of time as is specified
in the Option Agreement (but in no event later than the expiration of the term
of such Option as set forth in the Notice of Grant), by the Optionee's estate or
by a person who acquires the right to exercise the Option by bequest or
inheritance, but only to the extent that the Option is vested on the date of
death. In the absence of a specified time in the Option Agreement, the Option
shall remain exercisable for twelve (12) months following the Optionee's
termination. If, at the time of death, the Optionee is not vested as to his or
her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option
shall immediately revert to the Plan. The Option may be exercised by the
executor or administrator of the Optionee's estate or, if none, by the person(s)
entitled to exercise the Option under the Optionee's will or the laws of descent
or distribution. If the Option is not so exercised within the time specified
herein, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall
revert to the Plan.

              (e) Buyout Provisions. The Administrator may at any time offer to
buy out for a payment in cash or Shares, an Option previously granted based on
such terms and conditions as the Administrator shall establish and communicate
to the Optionee at the time that such offer is made.

       11. Non-Transferability of Options. Unless determined otherwise by the
Administrator, an Option may not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated,
transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by will or by the laws of
descent or distribution and may be exercised, during the lifetime of the
Optionee, only by the Optionee. If the Administrator makes an Option
transferable, such Option shall contain such additional terms and conditions as
the Administrator deems appropriate.

       12. Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization, Dissolution, Merger or
Asset Sale.

              (a) Changes in Capitalization. Subject to any required action by
the shareholders of the Company, the number of shares of Common Stock covered by
each outstanding Option, and the number of shares of Common Stock which have
been authorized for issuance under the Plan but as to which no Options have yet
been granted or which have been returned to the Plan upon cancellation or
expiration of an Option, as well as the price per share of Common Stock covered
by each such outstanding Option, shall be proportionately adjusted for any
increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock resulting
from a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, combination or
reclassification of the Common Stock, or any other increase or decrease in the
number of issued shares of Common Stock effected without receipt of
consideration by the Company; provided, however, that conversion of any
convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed to have been "effected
without receipt of consideration." Such adjustment shall be made by the Board,
whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive.
Except as expressly provided herein, no issuance by the Company of shares of
stock of any class, or securities

                                      -7-
<PAGE>   8

convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment
by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number or price of shares
of Common Stock subject to an Option.

              (b) Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of the proposed
dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Administrator shall notify each
Optionee as soon as practicable prior to the effective date of such proposed
transaction. The Administrator in its discretion may provide for an Optionee to
have the right to exercise his or her Option until ten (10) days prior to such
transaction as to all of the Optioned Stock covered thereby, including Shares as
to which the Option would not otherwise be exercisable. In addition, the
Administrator may provide that any Company repurchase option applicable to any
Shares purchased upon exercise of an Option shall lapse as to all such Shares,
provided the proposed dissolution or liquidation takes place at the time and in
the manner contemplated. To the extent it has not been previously exercised, an
Option will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed
action.

              (c) Merger or Asset Sale. In the event of a merger of the Company
with or into another corporation, or the sale of substantially all of the assets
of the Company, each outstanding Option shall be assumed or an equivalent option
or right substituted by the successor corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary of
the successor corporation. In the event that the successor corporation refuses
to assume or substitute for the Option, the Optionee shall fully vest in and
have the right to exercise the Option as to all of the Optioned Stock, including
Shares as to which it would not otherwise be vested or exercisable. If an Option
becomes fully vested and exercisable in lieu of assumption or substitution in
the event of a merger or sale of assets, the Administrator shall notify the
Optionee in writing or electronically that the Option shall be fully vested and
exercisable for a period of fifteen (15) days from the date of such notice, and
the Option shall terminate upon the expiration of such period. For the purposes
of this paragraph, the Option shall be considered assumed if, following the
merger or sale of assets, the option or right confers the right to purchase or
receive, for each Share of Optioned Stock, immediately prior to the merger or
sale of assets, the consideration (whether stock, cash, or other securities or
property) received in the merger or sale of assets by holders of Common Stock
for each Share held on the effective date of the transaction (and if holders
were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the
holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares); provided, however, that if
such consideration received in the merger or sale of assets is not solely common
stock of the successor corporation or its Parent, the Administrator may, with
the consent of the successor corporation, provide for the consideration to be
received upon the exercise of the Option, for each Share of Optioned Stock to be
solely common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent equal in fair
market value to the per share consideration received by holders of Common Stock
in the merger or sale of assets.

       13. Date of Grant. The date of grant of an Option shall be, for all
purposes, the date on which the Administrator makes the determination granting
such Option, or such other later date as is determined by the Administrator.
Notice of the determination shall be provided to each Optionee within a
reasonable time after the date of such grant.

                                      -8-
<PAGE>   9

       14. Amendment and Termination of the Plan.

              (a) Amendment and Termination. The Board may at any time amend,
alter, suspend or terminate the Plan.

              (b) Effect of Amendment or Termination. No amendment, alteration,
suspension or termination of the Plan shall impair the rights of any Optionee,
unless mutually agreed otherwise between the Optionee and the Administrator,
which agreement must be in writing and signed by the Optionee and the Company.
Termination of the Plan shall not affect the Administrator's ability to exercise
the powers granted to it hereunder with respect to options granted under the
Plan prior to the date of such termination.

       15. Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares.

              (a) Legal Compliance. Shares shall not be issued pursuant to the
exercise of an Option unless the exercise of such Option and the issuance and
delivery of such Shares shall comply with Applicable Laws and shall be further
subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such
compliance.

              (b) Investment Representations. As a condition to the exercise of
an Option the Company may require the person exercising such Option to represent
and warrant at the time of any such exercise that the Shares are being purchased
only for investment and without any present intention to sell or distribute such
Shares if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, such a representation is
required.

       16. Inability to Obtain Authority. The inability of the Company to obtain
authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is
deemed by the Company's counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale
of any Shares hereunder, shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect
of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority
shall not have been obtained.

       17. Reservation of Shares. The Company, during the term of this Plan,
will at all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as shall be
sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.

                                      -9-
<PAGE>   10

                             GADZOOX NETWORKS, INC.

                       2000 NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION PLAN

                             STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

       Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Plan shall have
the same defined meanings in this Option Agreement.

I.     NOTICE OF STOCK OPTION GRANT

       [OPTIONEE'S NAME AND ADDRESS]

       You have been granted an option to purchase Common Stock of the Company,
subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Option Agreement, as
follows:

        Grant Number
                                            ------------------------------
        Date of Grant
                                            ------------------------------
        Vesting Commencement Date
                                            ------------------------------
        Exercise Price per Share            $
                                             -----------------------------
        Total Number of Shares Granted
                                            ------------------------------
        Total Exercise Price                $
                                             -----------------------------
        Type of Option:                     Nonstatutory Stock Option

        Term/Expiration Date:
                                            ------------------------------

        Vesting Schedule:

       Subject to the Optionee continuing to be a Service Provider on such
dates, this Option shall vest and become exercisable in accordance with the
following schedule:

       25% of the Shares subject to the Option shall vest twelve months after
the Vesting Commencement Date, and 1/48th of the Shares subject to the Option
shall vest each full month thereafter, so as to be 100% vested and on the fourth
anniversary of the Vesting Commencement Date, subject to Optionee remaining a
Service Provider on such vesting dates.

<PAGE>   11

       Termination Period:

       This Option may be exercised for three months after Optionee ceases to be
a Service Provider. Upon the death or Disability of the Optionee, this Option
may be exercised for twelve months following Optionee's termination as a Service
Provider. In no event shall this Option be exercised later than the
Term/Expiration Date as provided above.

II.    AGREEMENT

       1. Grant of Option. The Plan Administrator of the Company hereby grants
to the Optionee named in the Notice of Grant attached as Part I of this
Agreement (the "Optionee") an option (the "Option") to purchase the number of
Shares, as set forth in the Notice of Grant, at the exercise price per share set
forth in the Notice of Grant (the "Exercise Price"), subject to the terms and
conditions of the Plan, which is incorporated herein by reference. Subject to
Section 14(b) of the Plan, in the event of a conflict between the terms and
conditions of the Plan and the terms and conditions of this Option Agreement,
the terms and conditions of the Plan shall prevail.

       2. Exercise of Option.

              (a) Right to Exercise. This Option is exercisable during its term
in accordance with the Vesting Schedule set out in the Notice of Grant and the
applicable provisions of the Plan and this Option Agreement.

              (b) Method of Exercise. This Option is exercisable by delivery of
an exercise notice, in the form attached as Exhibit A (the "Exercise Notice"),
which shall state the election to exercise the Option, the number of Shares in
respect of which the Option is being exercised (the "Exercised Shares"), and
such other representations and agreements as may be required by the Company
pursuant to the provisions of the Plan. The Exercise Notice shall be completed
by the Optionee and delivered to Stock Option Administration. The Exercise
Notice shall be accompanied by payment of the aggregate Exercise Price as to all
Exercised Shares. This Option shall be deemed to be exercised upon receipt by
the Company of such fully executed Exercise Notice accompanied by such aggregate
Exercise Price.

              No Shares shall be issued pursuant to the exercise of this Option
unless such issuance and exercise complies with Applicable Laws. Assuming such
compliance, for income tax purposes the Exercised Shares shall be considered
transferred to the Optionee on the date the Option is exercised with respect to
such Exercised Shares.

       3. Method of Payment. Payment of the aggregate Exercise Price shall be by
any of the following, or a combination thereof, at the election of the Optionee:

              (a) cash;

              (b) check;

                                      -2-
<PAGE>   12

              (c) consideration received by the Company under a cashless
exercise program implemented by the Company in connection with the Plan; or

              (d) surrender of other Shares which (i) in the case of Shares
acquired upon exercise of an option, have been owned by the Optionee for more
than six (6) months on the date of surrender, and (ii) have a Fair Market Value
on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate Exercise Price of the Exercised
Shares.

       4. Non-Transferability of Option. This Option may not be transferred in
any manner otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and
may be exercised during the lifetime of Optionee only by the Optionee. The terms
of the Plan and this Option Agreement shall be binding upon the executors,
administrators, heirs, successors and assigns of the Optionee.

       5. Term of Option. This Option may be exercised only within the term set
out in the Notice of Grant, and may be exercised during such term only in
accordance with the Plan and the terms of this Option Agreement.

       6. Tax Consequences. Some of the federal tax consequences relating to
this Option, as of the date of this Option, are set forth below. THIS SUMMARY IS
NECESSARILY INCOMPLETE, AND THE TAX LAWS AND REGULATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
THE OPTIONEE SHOULD CONSULT A TAX ADVISER BEFORE EXERCISING THIS OPTION OR
DISPOSING OF THE SHARES.

              (a) Exercising the Option. The Optionee may incur regular federal
income tax liability upon exercise of an NSO. The Optionee will be treated as
having received compensation income (taxable at ordinary income tax rates) equal
to the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of the Exercised Shares on the
date of exercise over their aggregate Exercise Price. If the Optionee is an
Employee or a former Employee, the Company will be required to withhold from his
or her compensation or collect from Optionee and pay to the applicable taxing
authorities an amount in cash equal to a percentage of this compensation income
at the time of exercise, and may refuse to honor the exercise and refuse to
deliver Shares if such withholding amounts are not delivered at the time of
exercise.

              (b) Disposition of Shares. If the Optionee holds NSO Shares for at
least one year, any gain realized on disposition of the Shares will be treated
as long-term capital gain for federal income tax purposes.

       7. Entire Agreement; Governing Law. The Plan is incorporated herein by
reference. The Plan and this Option Agreement constitute the entire agreement of
the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede in their
entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and Optionee with
respect to the subject matter hereof, and may not be modified adversely to the
Optionee's interest except by means of a writing signed by the Company and
Optionee. This agreement is governed by the internal substantive laws, but not
the choice of law rules, of California.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>   13

       8. NO GUARANTEE OF CONTINUED SERVICE. OPTIONEE ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES
THAT THE VESTING OF SHARES PURSUANT TO THE VESTING SCHEDULE HEREOF IS EARNED
ONLY BY CONTINUING AS A SERVICE PROVIDER AT THE WILL OF THE COMPANY (AND NOT
THROUGH THE ACT OF BEING HIRED, BEING GRANTED AN OPTION OR PURCHASING SHARES
HEREUNDER). OPTIONEE FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THIS AGREEMENT, THE
TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREUNDER AND THE VESTING SCHEDULE SET FORTH HEREIN DO
NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESS OR IMPLIED PROMISE OF CONTINUED ENGAGEMENT AS A
SERVICE PROVIDER FOR THE VESTING PERIOD, FOR ANY PERIOD, OR AT ALL, AND SHALL
NOT INTERFERE WITH OPTIONEE'S RIGHT OR THE COMPANY'S RIGHT TO TERMINATE
OPTIONEE'S RELATIONSHIP AS A SERVICE PROVIDER AT ANY TIME, WITH OR WITHOUT
CAUSE.

       By your signature and the signature of the Company's representative
below, you and the Company agree that this Option is granted under and governed
by the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Option Agreement. Optionee has
reviewed the Plan and this Option Agreement in their entirety, has had an
opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Option
Agreement and fully understands all provisions of the Plan and Option Agreement.
Optionee hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions
or interpretations of the Administrator upon any questions relating to the Plan
and Option Agreement. Optionee further agrees to notify the Company upon any
change in the residence address indicated below.

OPTIONEE                                 GADZOOX NETWORKS, INC.

------------------------------------     ---------------------------------------
Signature                                By

------------------------------------     ---------------------------------------
Print Name                               Title

------------------------------------
Residence Address

------------------------------------

                                      -4-
<PAGE>   14

                                    EXHIBIT A

                             GADZOOX NETWORKS, INC.

                       2000 NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION PLAN

                                 EXERCISE NOTICE

Gadzoox Networks, Inc.
Attention:  Stock Option Administration

       1. Exercise of Option. Effective as of today, ________________, _____,
the undersigned ("Purchaser") hereby elects to purchase ______________ shares
(the "Shares") of the Common Stock of Gadzoox Networks, Inc. (the "Company")
under and pursuant to the 2000 Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") and
the Stock Option Agreement dated, _________, ___ (the "Option Agreement"). The
purchase price for the Shares shall be $___, as required by the Option
Agreement.

       2. Delivery of Payment. Purchaser herewith delivers to the Company the
full purchase price for the Shares.

       3. Representations of Purchaser. Purchaser acknowledges that Purchaser
has received, read and understood the Plan and the Option Agreement and agrees
to abide by and be bound by their terms and conditions.

       4. Rights as Shareholder. Until the issuance (as evidenced by the
appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer
agent of the Company) of the Shares, no right to vote or receive dividends or
any other rights as a shareholder shall exist with respect to the Optioned
Stock, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The Shares so acquired shall
be issued to the Optionee as soon as practicable after exercise of the Option.
No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record
date is prior to the date of issuance, except as provided in Section 12 of the
Plan.

       5. Tax Consultation. Purchaser understands that Purchaser may suffer
adverse tax consequences as a result of Purchaser's purchase or disposition of
the Shares. Purchaser represents that Purchaser has consulted with any tax
consultants Purchaser deems advisable in connection with the purchase or
disposition of the Shares and that Purchaser is not relying on the Company for
any tax advice.

       6. Entire Agreement; Governing Law. The Plan and Option Agreement are
incorporated herein by reference. This Agreement, the Plan and the Option
Agreement constitute the entire

<PAGE>   15

agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede
in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and
Purchaser with respect to the subject matter hereof, and may not be modified
adversely to the Purchaser's interest except by means of a writing signed by the
Company and Purchaser. This agreement is governed by the internal substantive
laws, but not the choice of law rules, of California.

Submitted by:                                      Accepted by:

PURCHASER                                          GADZOOX NETWORKS, INC.

------------------------------------     ---------------------------------------
Signature                                By

------------------------------------     ---------------------------------------
Print Name                               Title

                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Date Received
Address:
        ----------------------------

        ----------------------------

                                      -2-

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