Document:

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                                                                    Exhibit 10.7

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         This Employment  Agreement (the "Agreement"),  effective as of December
29, 2000, is made and entered by and between Jonathan A. Sachs (the "Executive")
and Nx Networks, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company").

                                    AGREEMENT

         WHEREAS,  the  Company  desires  to engage  the  Executive  to  provide
services pursuant to the terms of this Agreement; and

         WHEREAS,  the Executive desires to provide such services to the Company
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement;

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

         1. TERM OF EMPLOYMENT.  The term of the  Executive's  employment  under
this Agreement shall commence  immediately  upon the execution of this Agreement
and end on the second  anniversary of such date (the "Term of  Employment").  If
the  Company or the  Executive  does not  deliver to the other party at least 60
days prior written  notice that the Term of  Employment  shall end on the second
anniversary  of the date  hereof,  the Term of  Employment  shall  automatically
continue for an additional  one-year period. At the end of such one year period,
the Term of Employment  shall  automatically  continue for  successive  one year
terms unless either party  delivers at least 60 days prior  written  notice that
the Term of Employment shall end at the end of such one-year renewal period.

         2. DUTIES.

         (a)  During  the  Term of  Employment,  the  Executive  shall  serve as
Executive  Vice President of Technology and Chief  Technology  Officer.  In such
capacity,  the Executive  shall have such  authority and duties as are generally
associated  with such  positions and as may be assigned to him from time to time
by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer.

         (b) During the Term of Employment the Executive shall devote his best
efforts to the business and affairs of the Company. Nothing in this Agreement
shall preclude the Executive from engaging in consulting activities, or
charitable and community affairs activities, so long as such activities do not
interfere with the execution of his duties and responsibilities hereunder, or
from serving as a director or trustee of any other corporation, association or
entity.

         3. COMPENSATION AND RELATED MATTERS.

         (a) SALARY. During the Term, the Executive shall receive a base salary
(the "Base Salary") at the rate of $220,000 per annum. Such Base Salary shall be
payable in accordance with the Company's policies in effect from time to time,
but in any event no less frequently than monthly. The Board of Directors from
time to time may increase, but not decrease, the Base Salary.

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         (b) BONUS. The Executive shall be eligible for an annual bonus in such
amount as the Board of Directors may designate. Payment of any annual bonus
shall be made at the same time that other senior-level executives receive their
bonus but in no event later than April 1 of the year following the year to which
such bonus relates. In addition, the Executive shall be eligible for quarterly
bonuses in such amount as the Chief Executive Officer, in his/her sole
discretion, may designate.

                  (i) STOCK OPTIONS. The Executive will be granted stock options
                  under the Company's stock option plan (the "Stock Options") by
                  the Company to purchase 150,000 shares of common stock, par
                  value $0.05 per share, of the Company (the "Common Stock") at
                  an exercise price of seventy-five cents ($.75). The shares
                  underlying the Stock Options will be covered by a Registration
                  Statement on Form S-8 within 30 days of the date of this
                  Agreement. The Stock Options shall be memorialized in a
                  separate stock option agreement, dated the date hereof,
                  between the Company and the Executive. The Stock Options will
                  vest quarterly commencing on the date of this Agreement over a
                  two year period and expire on the fifth anniversary of this
                  Agreement. The Stock Options shall be exercisable by the
                  Executive in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and
                  the stock option agreement; provided that Executive shall have
                  the right to exercise the Stock Options for a period of at
                  least 180 days after the termination of Executive's employment
                  with the Company.

         (c) EXPENSES. The Executive is authorized to incur reasonable expenses
in carrying out his duties and responsibilities under this Agreement and the
Company shall reimburse him for all business expenses as soon as practicable
after presentation of Executive's expense report incurred in connection
therewith, subject to documentation in accordance with the Company's policy,
provided that the Company will use its best efforts to reimburse Executive
within 7 days of the submission of such reports. The Company will provide the
Executive with a Company issued credit card to cover the Executive's business
expenses.

         (d) CAR ALLOWANCE. The Company shall pay the Executive a car expense
allowance of $500 per month, prorated for partial years.

         (e) EMPLOYEE BENEFITS. During the Term of Employment, the Executive
shall be entitled to participate in or receive benefits under any and all
employee benefit plans, programs and arrangements on terms no less favorable
than those generally applicable to senior executives of the Company, subject to
and on a basis consistent with the terms, conditions and overall administration
of such employee benefit plans, programs and arrangements. The Executive shall
also be eligible to participate in the Company's executive perquisites in
accordance with the terms and provisions of the arrangements as in effect from
time to time for the Company's senior executives.

         (f) VACATION. The Executive shall be entitled to four weeks of paid
vacation for each 12-month period during the Term of Employment, which shall be
taken at such times and intervals as shall be determined by the Executive,
subject to the reasonable business needs of the Company. The Executive shall
also be entitled to the paid holidays and other paid leave set forth in the
Company's policies.

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         (g) DEDUCTIONS AND WITHHOLDINGS. All amounts payable or which become
payable hereunder shall be subject to all deductions and withholding required by
law.

         4. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT.

         (a) TERMINATION DUE TO DEATH. In the event the Executive's employment
is terminated due to his death, his estate or his beneficiaries, as the case may
be, shall be entitled to and their sole remedies under this Agreement shall be:

                  (i) Base Salary through the date of death which shall be paid
                  in a single lump sum not later than 15 days following the
                  Executive's death;

                  (ii) the balance of any bonus awarded and earned but not paid
                  at the time of termination, which shall be paid in a single
                  lump sum not later than 15 days following the Executive's
                  death; and

                  (iii) other or additional benefits then due or earned in
                  accordance with applicable plans and programs of the Company.

         (b) TERMINATION DUE TO DISABILITY. In the event the Executive becomes
Disabled (as defined below), the Company may terminate his employment upon
notice to that effect. Upon such a termination, the Executive or his
representative, as the case may be, shall be entitled to, and their sole
remedies under this Agreement shall be:

                  (i) Base Salary through the date of termination, which shall
                  be paid in a single lump sum not later than 15 days following
                  such termination;

                  (ii) the balance of any bonus awarded and earned but not paid
                  at the time of termination, which shall be paid in a single
                  lump sum not later than 15 days following the date of
                  termination; and

                  (iii) other or additional benefits then due or earned in
                  accordance with applicable plans and programs of the Company.

For the purpose of this subsection, the Executive shall be deemed "Disabled" or
to have a "Disability" at such time as he becomes entitled to benefits under the
Company's long-term disability insurance plan as in effect from time to time.

         (c) TERMINATION BY THE COMPANY FOR CAUSE.

               (i) "Cause" shall mean:

                    (A) breach by Executive of Section 5 or 6 of this Agreement;

                    (B) conviction of the Executive for a felony or misdemeanor
                    involving moral turpitude;

                    (C) breach by the Executive of any alcohol, drug, sexual
                    harassment or other policy of the Company which provides for
                    termination of employment for violation;

                    (D) repeated conscious disregard by the Executive of his
                    obligations under this Agreement or failure to perform his
                    functions hereunder at a level deemed acceptable to the
                    Board of Directors after written notice by the Board of
                    specific examples of unacceptable performance requiring
                    improvement; or

                    (E) engagement by the Executive in conduct that constitutes
                    gross neglect or willful gross misconduct in carrying out
                    his duties under this Agreement.

               (ii) In the event the Company intends to terminate Executive's
               employment for Cause, the Company shall provide a written notice
               to Executive stating, with specificity, the alleged Cause of the
               termination. The Executive shall have thirty (30) days from
               receipt of such notice to cure the alleged Cause, provided that
               such Cause is of the type that is curable by an action of the
               Executive. The Company shall not terminate the Executive's
               employment for Cause until the Executive has been provided a
               reasonable opportunity to appear before a meeting at which a
               quorum of the Board of Directors of the Company is present to
               present any disputes the Executive may have with the allegations
               set forth in the notice. Any dispute between the Executive and
               the Company regarding the Cause of Executive's termination and
               whether such Cause is curable shall be settled in an arbitration
               pursuant to Section 8 of this Agreement. In the event the Company
               terminates the Executive's employment for Cause, he shall be
               entitled to and his sole remedies under this Agreement shall be:

                    (A) Base Salary through the date of the termination of his
                    employment for Cause, which shall be paid in a single lump
                    sum not later than 15 days following the Executive's
                    termination of employment (or, if sooner, as may be required
                    by state law);

                    (B) the balance of any bonus awarded and earned but not paid
                    at the time of termination, which shall be paid in a single
                    lump sum not later than 15 days following the date of
                    termination (or, if sooner, as may be required by state
                    law); and

                    (C) other or additional benefits then due or earned in
                    accordance with applicable plans or programs of the Company.

         (d) TERMINATION WITHOUT CAUSE OR CONSTRUCTIVE TERMINATION WITHOUT
CAUSE. In the event the Executive's employment with the Company is terminated
without Cause (which termination, called a Termination Without Cause (defined
below), shall be effective as of the date specified by the Company in a written
notice to the Executive), or in the event there is a Constructive Termination

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Without Cause (defined below), the Executive shall be entitled to and his sole
remedies under this Agreement shall be:

                  (i) Base Salary through the date of termination of the
                  Executive's employment, which shall be paid in a single lump
                  sum not later than 15 days following the Executive's
                  termination of employment (or, if sooner, as may be required
                  by state law);

                  (ii) Base Salary, at the annualized rate in effect on the date
                  of termination of the Executive's employment for a period
                  equal to the lesser of twelve months or the remaining then
                  current Term of Employment (the "Severance Period") payable in
                  accordance with the Company's standard payroll practices;

                  (iii) the balance of any bonus awarded and earned but not paid
                  at the time of termination, which shall be paid in a single
                  lump sum not later than 15 days following the date of
                  termination (or, if sooner, as may be required by state law);

                  (iv) continued participation in all medical and dental plans
                  at the same benefit level at which he was participating on the
                  date of the termination of his employment until the earlier
                  of:

                           (A) the end of the Severance Period; or

                           (B) the date, or dates, he received equivalent
                           coverage and benefits under the plans and programs of
                           a subsequent employer (such coverage and benefits to
                           be determined on a coverage-by-coverage, or
                           benefit-by-benefit, basis);

                  provided that (x) if the Executive is precluded from
                  continuing his participation in any employee benefit plan or
                  program as provided in this clause (iv) of this Section 4(d),
                  he shall receive cash payments equal on an after-tax basis to
                  the cost to him of obtaining the benefits provided under the
                  plan or program in which he is unable to participate for the
                  period specified in this clause (iv) of this Section 4(d), (y)
                  such cost shall be deemed to be the lowest cost that would be
                  incurred by the Executive in obtaining such benefit himself on
                  an individual basis, and (z) payment of such amounts shall be
                  made quarterly in advance;

                   (v) All Stock Options which are scheduled to vest during the
                   Severance Period will immediately vest and be exercisable for
                   a period of 180 days or the Severence Period, whichever is
                   greater; and

                    (vi) other or additional benefits then due or earned in
                    accordance with applicable plans and programs of the
                    Company.

         For the purpose of clarity, it is agreed that any termination related
to Executive's death or Disability is covered by the preceding subsections of
this Section 4, and not by this Section 4(d).

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         "Termination Without Cause" shall mean the Executive's employment is
terminated by the Company for any reason other than Cause (as defined in Section
4(c)) or due to death or Disability.

         "Constructive Termination Without Cause" shall mean a termination of
the Executive's employment at his initiative as provided in this Section 4(d)
following the occurrence, without the Executive's written consent, of one or
more of the following events (except as a result of a prior termination):

                    (A) a material diminution or change, adverse to Executive,
                    in Executive's positions, titles, or offices as set forth in
                    Section 2;

                    (B) an assignment of any duties to the Executive which are
                    inconsistent with his status as Executive Vice President of
                    Technology and Chief Technology Officer;

                    (C) any other failure by the Company to perform any material
                    obligation under, or breach by the Company of any material
                    provision of, this Agreement that is not cured within 10
                    days;

                    (D) any failure to secure the agreement of any successor
                    corporation or other entity to the Company to fully assume
                    the Company's obligations under this Agreement;

                    (E) relocation of the Executive's principal place of
                    business outside of the Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota
                    metropolitan area.

         (e) TERMINATION FOLLOWING NON-RENEWAL. In the event that either party
notifies the other in writing at least 60 days prior to the expiration of the
then current Term of Employment that such party is electing to terminate this
Agreement at the expiration of the then current Term of Employment and the
Executive's employment terminates upon such expiration, whether at the Company's
initiative or the Executive's initiative, the Executive shall be entitled to:

                  (i) Base Salary through the date of termination of the
                  Executive's employment, which shall be paid in a single lump
                  sum not later than 15 days following such termination (or, if
                  sooner, as may be required by state law);

                  (ii) the balance of any bonus awarded and earned but not paid
                  at the time of termination, which shall be paid in a single
                  lump sum not later than 15 days following the date of
                  termination (or, if sooner, as may be required by state law);
                  and

                  (iii) other or additional benefits then due or earned in
                  accordance with applicable plans and programs of the Company.

         (f) VOLUNTARY TERMINATION. In the event of a termination of employment
by the Executive on his own initiative, other than a termination due to death,
Disability or a Constructive Termination Without Cause, the Executive shall have

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the same entitlements as provided in Sections 4(c)(ii)(A) through and including
Section 4(c)(ii)(C) above for a Termination for Cause. A voluntary termination
under this Section 4(f) shall be effective immediately and shall not be deemed a
breach of this Agreement.

         (g) NO MITIGATION, NO OFFSET. In the event of any termination of
employment under this Section 4, the Executive shall be under no obligation to
seek other employment; amounts due the Executive under this Agreement shall not
be offset by any remuneration attributable to any subsequent employment that he
may obtain.

         (h) NATURE OF PAYMENTS. Any amounts due under this Section 4 are in the
nature of severance payments considered to be reasonable by the Company and are
not in the nature of a penalty.

         5. CONFIDENTIALITY.

         (a) During the Term of Employment and for five years thereafter, the
Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company, disclose
to anyone (except in good faith in the ordinary course of business to a person
who will be advised by the Executive to keep such information confidential) or
make use of any Confidential Information (as defined below) except in the
performance of his duties hereunder or when required to do so by legal process,
by any governmental agency having supervisory authority over the business of the
Company or by any administrative or legislative body (including a committee
thereof) that requires him to divulge, disclose or make accessible such
information. In the event that the Executive is so ordered, he shall give prompt
written notice to the Company in order to allow the Company the opportunity to
object to or otherwise resist such order.

         (b) "Confidential Information" shall mean all information concerning
the business of the Company or any subsidiary relating to any of their products,
product development, trade secrets, customers, suppliers, finances, and business
plans and strategies. Excluded from the definition of Confidential Information
is information (i) that is or becomes part of the public domain, other than
through the breach of this Agreement by the Executive, (ii) regarding the
Company's business or industry properly acquired by the Executive in the course
of his career as an executive in the Company's industry and independent of the
Executive's employment by the Company, (iii) that becomes available to the
Executive on a non-confidential basis from a source other than the Company,
provided that such source is not known by the Executive to be subject to a
confidentiality agreement or other obligation of secrecy or confidentiality
(whether pursuant to a contract, legal or fiduciary obligation or duty or
otherwise) to the Company or any other person or entity or (iv) approved for
release by the Company or which the Company makes generally available to third
parties without an obligation of confidentiality. For this purpose, information
known or available generally within the trade or industry of the Company or any
subsidiary shall be deemed to be known or available to the public.

         6. NON-COMPETITION; NON-SOLICITATION. The Executive acknowledges that
his employment with the Company will, of necessity, provide him with
specialized, unique knowledge and confidential information and that, in light of
the competitive nature of the Company's business, the Company could be harmed if
such knowledge and information were used in competition with the Company. The
Executive further acknowledges that the Company would not enter into this

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Agreement and undertake the substantial obligations under this Agreement without
the Executive's agreement to the following provisions of this Section 6:

         (a) During the Restriction Period (as defined below) he will not,
directly or indirectly, as an officer, director, stockholder, partner,
associate, employee, consultant, owner, agent, co-venturer or otherwise, become
or be interested in or be associated with any other corporation, firm or
business engaged in the manufacture, marketing or sale of products which
directly compete with products of the Company as such products are sold by the
Company or documented in writing as under development by the Company prior to
the date of termination of the Executive's employment with the Company. The
Executive's ownership, directly or indirectly, of not more than five percent
(5%) of the issued and outstanding stock of any corporation or other entity, the
shares of which are traded on a national securities exchange or the Nasdaq Stock
Market, shall not in any event be deemed to be a violation of the provisions of
this Section 6(a).

         (b) During the Restriction Period, the Executive shall not call upon,
solicit, divert or take away, or attempt to call upon, solicit, divert or take
away, business of a type the same or similar to the business as conducted by the
Company prior to the date of termination of the Executive's employment with the
Company from any of the customers of the Company upon whom he called or whom he
solicited or to whom he catered or with whom he became acquainted after entering
the employ of the Company.

         (c) The Executive acknowledges and agrees that during the time of his
employment with the Company, he will gain valuable information about the
identity, qualifications and on-going performance of the employees of the
Company. During the six-month period after the termination of the Executive's
employment with the Company for any reason, the Executive shall not (i) hire,
employ, offer employment to, or seek to hire, employ or offer employment to, any
of the Company's senior level employees with whom he had contact prior to such
termination of employment or (ii) solicit or encourage any such senior level
employee to seek or accept employment with any other person or entity.

         (d) The Executive represents and warrants that the knowledge, skills
and abilities he currently possesses are sufficient to permit him, in the event
of his termination of employment hereunder for any reason, to earn a livelihood
satisfactory to himself without violating any provision of this Agreement.

         (e) For the purposes of this Section 6, "Restriction Period" shall mean
the period beginning on the date hereof and ending with:

               (i)  in the case of a termination of the Executive's employment
                    pursuant to Section 4(c) above, the first anniversary of
                    such termination;

               (ii) in the case the Executive terminates his employment pursuant
                    to Section 4(f) above, the first anniversary of such
                    termination;

               (iii) in the case of a termination of the Executive's employment
                    pursuant to Section 4(d) above, the end of the Severance
                    Period or the date upon which the Executive forfeits his

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                    rights to receive payments of Base Salary pursuant to
                    Section 4(d)(ii), whichever occurs first;

               (iv) in the case of a termination of the employment pursuant to
                    Section 4(e) above, the date of such termination; PROVIDED,
                    HOWEVER, that within 10 days after the Executive announces
                    that he will not renew his employment hereunder at the end
                    of the then current Term of Employment the Company may
                    notify the Executive that it will cause the Restriction
                    Period to be six months and, in consideration for such
                    period, the Company will pay to the Executive the amounts
                    specified in Section 4(e) above plus the following:

                           (A) continued participation in all medical and dental
                           plans at the same benefit level at which he was
                           participating on the date of the termination of his
                           employment until the earlier of:

                                  a.  the end of the Restriction Period; or

                                  b.  the date, or dates, he received equivalent
                                      coverage and benefits under the plans and
                                      programs of a subsequent employer (such
                                      coverage and benefits to be determined on
                                      a coverage-by-coverage, or
                                      benefit-by-benefit, basis);

                           provided that (x) if the Executive is precluded from
                           continuing his participation in any employee benefit
                           plan or program as provided in this clause (iv) of
                           this Section 4(e), he shall receive cash payments
                           equal on an after-tax basis to the cost to him of
                           obtaining the benefits provided under the plan or
                           program in which he is unable to participate for the
                           period specified in this clause (iv) of this Section
                           4(e), (y) such cost shall be deemed to be the lowest
                           cost that would be incurred by the Executive in
                           obtaining such benefit himself on an individual
                           basis, and (z) payment of such amounts shall be made
                           quarterly in advance; and

                           (B) Base Salary, at the annualized rate in effect on
                           the date of the Company's notice, through the end of
                           the Restriction Period, payable in accordance with
                           the Company's standard payroll practices.

         Provided that all applicable Restriction Periods shall end on the date
that the Company fails to make any payments due to the Executive under Section 4
or Section 6 of this Agreement.

         7. REMEDIES. In addition to whatever other rights and remedies the
Company may have at equity or in law, if the Executive breaches any of the
provisions contain in Sections 5 or 6 above, the Company (a) shall have the
right to immediately terminate all payments and benefits due under this
Agreement and (b) shall have the right to seek injunctive relief. The Executive
acknowledges that such a breach would cause irreparable injury and that money
damages would not provide an adequate remedy for the Company.

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         8. RESOLUTION OF DISPUTES. Any disputes arising under or in connection
with this Agreement shall be resolved by binding arbitration, to be held in
Washington, D.C. in accordance with the rules and procedures of the American
Arbitration Association, except that disputes arising under or in connection
with Sections 5 and 6 above shall be submitted to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction. Judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator(s) may be
entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. Each party shall bear his or
its own costs of the arbitration or litigation, including, without limitation,
attorneys' fees. Pending the resolution of any arbitration or court proceeding,
the Company shall continue payment of all amounts and benefits due the Executive
under this Agreement.

         9. INDEMNIFICATION.

         (a) The Company agrees that if the Executive is made a party, or is
threatened to be made a party, to any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil,
criminal, administrative or investigative (a "Proceeding"), by reason of the
fact that he is or was a director, officer, agent, consultant or employee of the
Company or any subsidiary or is or was serving at the request of the Company or
any subsidiary as a director, officer, member, employee, consultant or agent of
another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise,
including service with respect to employee benefit plans, whether or not the
basis of such Proceeding is the Executive's alleged action in an official
capacity while serving as a director, officer, member, employee, consultant or
agent, the Executive shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company to
the fullest extent legally permitted or authorized by the Company's certificate
of incorporation or bylaws or resolutions of the Company's Board of Directors
or, if greater, by the laws of the State of Delaware, against all cost, expense,
liability and loss (including, without limitation, attorney's fees, judgments,
fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid or to be paid in
settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by the Executive in connection
therewith, and such indemnification shall continue as to the Executive even if
he has ceased to be a director, member, officer, employee, consultant or agent
of the Company or other entity and shall inure to the benefit of the Executive's
spouse, heirs, executors and administrators. The Company shall advance to the
Executive all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by him in connection with a
Proceeding within 20 days after receipt by the Company of a written request for
such advance. Such request shall include an undertaking by the Executive to
repay the amount of such advance if it shall ultimately be determined that he is
not entitled to be indemnified against such costs and expenses.

         (b) Neither the failure of the Company (including its board of
directors, independent legal counsel or stockholders) to have made a
determination prior to the commencement of any proceeding concerning payment of
amounts claimed by the Executive under Section 9(a) above that indemnification
of the Executive is proper because he has met the applicable standard of
conduct, nor a determination by the Company (including its board of directors,
independent legal counsel or stockholders) that the Executive has not met such
applicable standard of conduct, shall create a presumption that the Executive
has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

         (c) The Company agrees to continue and maintain a directors and
officers' liability insurance policy covering the Executive to the extent the
Company provides such coverage for its other executive officers.

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         10. EFFECT OF AGREEMENT ON OTHER BENEFITS. Except as specifically
provided in this Agreement, the existence of this Agreement shall not be
interpreted to preclude, prohibit or restrict the Executive's participation in
any other employee benefit or other plans or programs in which he currently
participates.

         11. RELEASE. The Company hereby releases, remises, and forever
discharges the Executive of and from any and all claims, debts, demands, rights,
and causes of action of whatsoever kind and nature, arising from and by reason
of any and all known, foreseen, and unforeseen consequences, which the Company
has or may have against the Executive, individually or in any other capacity
arising from and by reason of anything whatsoever from the beginning of the
world until the date of this Agreement, including, but not limited to, every
liability, right, claim, debt, or cause of action asserted in or in any way
arising from any agreement to which the Company and the Executive are parties.

         The Executive hereby releases, remises, and forever discharges the
Company of and from any and all claims, debts, demands, rights, and causes of
action of whatsoever kind and nature, arising from and by reason of any and all
known, foreseen, and unforeseen consequences, which the Executive has or may
have against the Company arising from and by reason of anything whatsoever from
the beginning of the world until the date of this Agreement, including, but not
limited to, every liability, right, claim, debt, or cause of action asserted in
or in any way arising from any agreement to which the Company and the Executive
are parties.

         Notwithstanding the above, the releases set forth in this Section 11
shall not affect any rights or obligations of the Company or the Executive under
the Settlement Agreement among the Company, the Executive, and certain other
persons of even date herewith; the Merger Agreement dated December 31, 1999
among the Company, AetherWorks Corporation and Nx1 Acquisition Corp.; the
Registration Rights Agreement dated December 31, 1999 among the Company,
AetherWorks Corporation and Nx1 Acquisition Corp.; the Amended and Restated
Promissory Note between the Company and the Executive dated April 7, 2000, and
amended of even date herewith; the Amended and Restated Pledge Agreement between
the Company and the Executive dated April 7, 2000, and amended of even date
herewith; or this Agreement. The releases set forth in this Section 11 shall
survive the termination of this Agreement.

         12. ASSIGNABILITY; BINDING NATURE. This Agreement shall be binding upon
and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors, heirs
(in the case of the Executive) and permitted assigns. No rights or obligations
of the Company under this Agreement may be assigned or transferred by the
Company except that such rights or obligations may be assigned or transferred in
connection with the sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets
of the Company, provided that the assignee or transferee is the successor to all
or substantially all of the assets of the Company and such assignee or
transferee assumes the liabilities, obligations and duties of the Company, as
contained in this Agreement, either contractually or as a matter of law. The
Company further agrees that, in the event of a sale or transfer of assets as
described in the preceding sentence, it shall take whatever action it legally
can in order to cause such assignee or transferee to expressly assume the
liabilities, obligations and duties of the Company hereunder. No rights or
obligations of the Executive under this Agreement may be assigned or transferred
by the Executive other than his rights to compensation and benefits, which may
be transferred only by will or operation of law, except as provided in Section
18 below.

         13. WARRANTY OF EXECUTIVE. As an inducement to the Company to enter
into this Agreement, the Executive represents and warrants that he is not a
party to any other agreement or obligation for personal services, and that there
exists no impediment or restraint, contractual or otherwise, on his power, right
or ability to enter into this Agreement and to perform his duties and
obligations hereunder.

         14. COMPANY REPRESENTATIONS. The Company represents to the Executive
that this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the
Company and is a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company and that the
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Company will not
breach or be in conflict with any agreements to which the Company is a party or
by which it is bound.

         15. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement contains the entire understanding
and agreement between the parties concerning the subject matter hereof and
supersedes all prior agreements, understandings, discussions, negotiations and
undertakings, whether written or oral, between the parties with respect thereto.

         16. AMENDMENTS; WAIVERS. No provision in this Agreement may be amended
unless such amendment is agreed to in writing and signed by the Executive and an
authorized officer of the Company. No waiver by either party of any breach by
the other party of any condition or provision contained in this Agreement to be
performed by such other party shall be deemed a waiver of a similar or
dissimilar condition or provision at the same or any prior or subsequent time.
Any waiver must be in writing and signed by the Executive or an authorized
officer of the Company, as the case may be. No failure to exercise and no delay
in exercising any right, remedy or power hereunder shall preclude any other or
further exercise of any other right, remedy or power provided herein or by law
or in equity.

         17. SEVERABILITY OF PROVISIONS. In the event that any provision or any
portion thereof should ever be adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction
to exceed the time or other limitations permitted by applicable law, as
determined by such court in such action, then such provisions shall be deemed
reformed to the maximum time or other limitations permitted by applicable law,
the parties hereby acknowledging their desire that in such event such action be
taken. In addition to the above, the provisions of this Agreement are severable,
and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision or provisions of this
Agreement or portions thereof shall not affect the validity or enforceability of
any other provision, or portion of this Agreement, which shall remain in full
force and effect as if executed with the unenforceable or invalid provision or
portion thereof eliminated. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties hereto
affirmatively represent, acknowledge and agree that it is their intention that
this Agreement and each of its provisions are enforceable in accordance with
their terms and expressly agree not to challenge the validity or enforceability
of this Agreement or any of its provisions, or portions or aspects thereof, in
the future. The parties hereto are expressly relying upon this representation,
acknowledgment and agreement in determining to enter into this Agreement.

         18. BENEFICIARIES/REFERENCES. The Executive shall be entitled, to the
extent permitted under any applicable law, to select and change a beneficiary or
beneficiaries to receive any compensation or benefit payable hereunder following
the Executive's death by giving the Company written notice thereof. In the event
of the Executive's death or a judicial determination of his incompetence,

                                      -12-
<PAGE>

reference in this Agreement to the Executive shall be deemed, where appropriate,
to refer to his beneficiary, estate or other legal representative.

         19. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed
and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia
without reference to principles of conflict of laws. The parties hereby
irrevocably consent to the service of any and all process in any action or
proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement by the mailing of copies
of such process to the parties at the address specified in Section 20 hereof.

         20. NOTICES. All notices, requests, demands and other communications
which are required or may be given under this Agreement shall be in writing and
shall be deemed to have been duly given when received if personally delivered;
when transmitted if transmitted by telecopy, electronic or digital transmission
method upon receipt of telephonic or electronic confirmation; the day after it
is sent, if sent for next day delivery to a domestic address by a recognized
overnight delivery service (E.G., Federal Express); and upon receipt, if sent by
certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. In each case notice
shall be sent to the Company c/o the Board of Directors at the Company's
principal executive offices and to the Executive at his last known permanent
address, or to such other place as either party may designate as to itself or
himself by written notice to the other.

         21. LEGAL FEES. Promptly after execution of this Agreement, the Company
shall reimburse the Executive for reasonable attorneys' fees and costs in
amounts up to $10,000 incurred by the Executive in connection with the
negotiation and execution of this Agreement and related Agreements.

         22. HEADINGS. The headings of the sections contained in this Agreement
are for convenience only and shall not be deemed to control or affect the
meaning or construction of any provision of this Agreement.

         23. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in several
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same Agreement.

                         (SIGNATURES ON FOLLOWING PAGE)

                                      -13-
<PAGE>
                              AMENDED AND RESTATED
                                 PROMISSORY NOTE

$1,000,000.00                                                    APRIL 7, 2000
                                                     AMENDED DECEMBER 29, 2000

      FOR VALUE RECEIVED, JONATHAN A. SACHS, an individual with offices at 445
Minnesota Street, Suite 2400, St. Paul, Minnesota 55101 ("Maker"), promises to
pay to the order of Nx NETWORKS, INC., a Delaware corporation having an address
at 13575 Dulles Technology Drive, Herndon, Virginia 21071, or its successors or
assigns ("Payee"), at its offices or at such other place as Payee or other legal
holder hereof may, from time to time, designate, the principal sum of ONE
MILLION AND NO/100 DOLLARS ($1,000,000.00) as provided herein, together with
interest accrued from April 7, 2000 on the outstanding principal amount thereof
at the simple rate of 9.0% per annum.

      All amounts owing under this Note, if not sooner paid, shall be due and
payable on May 15, 2003. If Payee has fully performed all obligations under the
Settlement Agreement among Payee, Maker, and certain other persons dated
December 29, 2000, the Maker shall be required to prepay this Note on or before
either (i) the 60th day after the closing market price per share of the Payee's
common stock on the Nasdaq Stock Market has been $10.00 or more per share for
ten consecutive trading days (adjusted proportionately for stock dividends,
stock splits and stock consolidations with respect to such common stock) or (ii)
eighteen months after Maker voluntarily terminates his employment with the Payee
pursuant to Section 4(f) of the Employment Agreement between Maker and Payee
dated December 29, 2000 (the "Employment Agreement") or such employment is
terminated by Payee for Cause (as "Cause" is determined in accordance with the
Employment Agreement). Maker shall have the right to prepay principal and
interest, in whole or in part, at any time without penalty.

      All payments received shall be applied first to any costs incurred by
Payee in enforcing its rights hereunder, next to interest and then to principal.

      This Note is secured by Makers interests in Nx Networks, Inc. pursuant to
the Pledge Agreement dated concurrently herewith between Maker and Payee (the
"Pledge Agreement"). Liability of Maker to pay any obligation under this Note is
limited to collateral held under the Pledge Agreement, and except as provided in
the Pledge Agreement, the Maker shall not be liable for any deficiency resulting
from such sale or liquidation of the collateral, nor shall any action or
proceeding be brought by Payee against Maker to recover judgment against him
upon this Note.

                                       1

<PAGE>

      Any of the following events shall constitute an "Event of Default"
hereunder:

            (a) Maker shall fail to timely pay the principal and interest amount
      due under this Note and such failure continues for a period of ten (10)
      days after written notice of such failure is given to Maker by Payee.

            (b) Maker makes an assignment for the benefit of his creditors or
      files a petition in bankruptcy or under the Federal Bankruptcy Act or any
      other insolvency laws or has an involuntary petition in bankruptcy filed
      against him and fails to have such involuntary petition vacated or
      discharged within sixty (60) days from the date of filing.

            (c) A Default occurs under the Pledge Agreement, as such term is
      defined in the Pledge Agreement.

      If an Event of Default shall occur, Payee or any other legal holder of
this Note may, at its option, give notice to Maker of Payee's intention to sell
or otherwise transfer part or all of the Collateral pursuant to Sections 4 and 5
of the Pledge Agreement. Such notice shall be accompanied by a copy of this Note
and shall state (i) the principal amount due, (ii) the Event of Default that has
occurred and the date thereof, (iii) the portion of the Collateral Payee intends
to sell or otherwise transfer and (iv) the manner in which Payee intends to sell
or otherwise transfer such Collateral.

      Subject to limitations provided by the Pledge Agreement, all rights and
remedies available to Payee pursuant to provisions of applicable law and
otherwise are cumulative, not exclusive, and enforceable alternatively,
successively and/or concurrently after default by Maker pursuant to the
provisions of this Note.

      If an Event of Default shall occur, Maker waives demand, presentment,
protest and notice of any kind and consents to the extension of time of
payments, the release, surrender or substitution of any and all security for the
obligations evidenced hereby or other indulgence with respect to this Note, all
without notice.

      This Note may not be changed, modified or terminated orally, but only by
an agreement in writing, signed by the party against whom the change,
modification or discharge is sought.

      This Note supercedes and replaces the Promissory Note between Maker and
Payee dated April 7, 2000, which Promissory Note shall be of no further force
and effect as of the date of this Note.

      This Note shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws
of the Commonwealth of Virginia and shall be binding upon the successors,
assigns, heirs, administrators and executors of Maker and inure to the benefit
of Payee, its successors and assigns.

                                       2

<PAGE>

      Maker hereby irrevocably consents to the jurisdiction of the state and
federal courts presiding in the Commonwealth of Virginia in connection with any
action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Note. If any terms or
provisions of this Note shall be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the
validity of all other terms and provisions hereof shall in no way be affected
thereby.

                                          _____________________________________
                                          Jonathan A. Sachs
Accepted:

Nx NETWORKS, INC.

By: _______________________

Title: _______________________

                                       3

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement as of
the date first written above.

NX NETWORKS, INC.

By:______________________________       ___________________________________
                                        Jonathan A. Sachs
Title:___________________________

<PAGE>
                              AMENDED AND RESTATED
                             STOCK PLEDGE AGREEMENT

      AGREEMENT dated as of December 29, 2000, by and between Jonathan A.
Sachs ("Pledgor") and Nx Networks, Inc. ("Nx").

      WHEREAS, Pledgor and Nx are parties to a Stock Pledge Agreement dated
April 7, 2000 and such parties desire to amend the terms of such agreement;

      WHEREAS, Pledgor is the owner of shares of stock of Nx; and

      WHEREAS, Nx has loaned the sum of One Million (1,000,000) Dollars to
Pledgor and, Pledgor has executed a Promissory Note in the principal amount of
One Million (1,000,000) Dollars (the "Note") in favor of Nx; and

      WHEREAS, to secure payment of the Note, Pledgor has pledged shares of his
stock of Nx and Pledgor has agreed to pledge his rights to acquire stock of Nx
as provided herein.

      NOW, THEREFORE, in order to induce Nx to modify the terms of the loan to
Pledgor evidenced by the Note, and for other good and valuable consideration,
the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree
as follows:

      Section 1. PLEDGE. Pledgor hereby pledges, hypothecates, assigns,
transfers, sets over and delivers unto Nx, and grants to Nx a security interest
in, (a) any and all shares of Nx capital stock that Pledgor now owns, in excess
of 34,428 shares of Nx capital stock, or which Pledgor may receive as a result
of exercise of the Options (defined below), (b) any shares of Nx capital stock
received by Pledgor pursuant to the Settlement Agreement among Nx, Pledgor, and
certain other persons dated December 29, 2000 (the "Settlement Agreement"),
(together with stock described in this Section 1, clause (a), the "Shares"), (c)
any and all rights to acquire Nx capital stock pursuant to options now held by
the Pledgor or received by Pledgor pursuant to the Settlement Agreement, to the
fullest extent provided by law (the "Options"), and (d) subject to the terms of
this Agreement, any and all other property acquired upon transfer of any of the
property described in the preceding clauses (a), (b) and (c), but excluding an
property acquired upon transfer or in respect of, including by dividend,
pursuant to capital restructuring or pursuant to the Settlement Agreement, the
34,428 shares of Nx capital stock excluded from clause (a) above (all of the
foregoing property described in this sentence being the "Collateral"), in order
to secure all obligations of Pledgor under the Note.

      To the extent that Pledgor holds Options to acquire capital stock of Nx,
then upon exercise of such options from time to time Pledgor shall pay to Nx
one-half of the proceeds of the sale of such stock to pay amounts due under the
Note. Further, without limiting the provisions of other sections of this
Agreement, from time to time, within 2 business days of a request of Pledgor, Nx
will release certificates representing the Shares to the transfer agent for Nx'
common stock to enable Pledgor to transfer such Shares, provided that any

                                       1

<PAGE>

proceeds of such transfer, other than as provided in the previous sentence,
shall be delivered to Nx to pay amounts due under the Note (or if such proceeds
are not cash, to be held as Collateral hereunder). Unless proceeds of any such
transfer are used to pay the Note off in full, no such transfer shall be made
except in exchange for property having a fair market value at least equal to the
Collateral to be transferred. In the event that certificates representing shares
are not released and sent via overnight mail to Pledgor within 5 business days
of Pledgor's request for such certificates (the "Determination Date"), Nx will
indemnify Pledgor for any diminution in value of such shares from the
Determination Date to the date that Pledgor actually receives such certificates.

      Section 2.  POWER OF ATTORNEY; INCOME AND VOTING RIGHTS.

      (a)  Pledgor hereby irrevocably appoints Nx as Pledgor's attorney, coupled
with an interest, with full power of substitution,

            (1)  to arrange for the transfer of the Collateral or any part
      thereof into the name of Nx or into the name of Nx's nominee, in
      accordance with Section 4 hereof, and

            (2)  for the purpose of taking any action and executing any
      instrument, in the name of Pledgor or otherwise, which Nx may at any time
      deem necessary or appropriate in order to (i) perfect its security
      interest in the Collateral or any part thereof, and (ii) foreclose said
      security interest or otherwise exercise its rights under this Agreement
      and in and to the Collateral.

      (b) As long as no Default, as hereinafter defined, and no event which with
the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both would constitute such a
Default, shall have occurred and be continuing:

            (1) Pledgor shall be entitled to exercise any and all voting and/or
      consensual rights and powers relating or pertaining to the Collateral or
      any part thereof for any purpose not inconsistent with the terms of this
      Agreement.

            (2) Pledgor shall be entitled to receive any and all dividends and
      interest on the Collateral, but any and all such dividends and interest,
      and any and all cash and other property received in payment therefore,
      shall be and become part of the Collateral pledged hereunder and, if
      received by Pledgor, shall be held in trust for the benefit of Nx and
      shall forthwith be delivered to Nx or its designated nominee (accompanied
      by proper instruments of assignment and/or stock or bond powers executed
      by Pledgor in accordance with Nx's instructions) to be held subject to the
      terms of this Agreement..

            (3) Nx shall execute and deliver (or cause to be executed and
      delivered) to Pledgor all of such proxies, powers of attorney, interest
      coupons and other papers as Pledgor may request for the purpose of
      enabling Pledgor to exercise the voting and/or consensual rights and
      powers of which Pledgor is entitled to exercise pursuant to (1) above.

                                       2
<PAGE>

      (c) Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of a Default hereunder,
or any event which with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both would
constitute such a Default, all rights of Pledgor to exercise the voting and/or
consensual rights and powers which Pledgor is entitled to exercise pursuant to
(b) (1) hereof and/or to receive the dividends and interest which Pledgor is
authorized to receive pursuant to (b) (2) hereof shall cease, and all such
rights shall thereupon become vested in Nx; PROVIDED HOWEVER, that Nx, as the
sole further condition to the vesting pursuant to this paragraph (c) of such
voting and/or consensual rights and powers of Nx, shall notify Pledgor in
writing as provided in Section 4 hereof that Nx elects to exercise such rights
and powers, and Nx shall have the sole and exclusive right and authority to
exercise such voting and/or consensual rights and powers and/or to receive and
retain the dividends and interest which Pledgor would otherwise be authorized to
receive pursuant to paragraph (b)(2) hereof.

      (d) Any and all money and other property paid over to or received by Nx
pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (c) above shall be retained by Nx as
additional Collateral under, and be applied in accordance with, the provisions
of this Agreement.

      Section 3.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.  Pledgor represents and
warrants that:

      (a) Pledgor will warrant and defend Pledgor's title to the Collateral and
sole beneficial ownership thereof against all persons claiming and interest
therein except Nx or any person or entity claiming through Nx.

      (b) Except for restrictions imposed by this Agreement and restrictions on
public offerings and sales of securities imposed by applicable securities laws
of the United States of America or any state or commonwealth thereof, there are
not and will not be any restrictions upon the sale or other disposition of any
of the Collateral.

      (c) Except as contemplated by paragraph (b) above, Pledgor now has and
will have, without obtaining the consent of any governmental authority, stock
exchange or any other person except Nx, the right to pledge, to grant a security
interest in and otherwise to transfer and to dispose of the Collateral free of
any liens, security interests or other encumbrances, and free of any rights or
equities in favor of any other persons, except those created by this Agreement.

      (d) This Agreement is Pledgor's valid and legally binding agreement
enforceable in accordance with its terms.

      (e) If at the time Pledgor is obligated to make any payment under the Note
he holds options or other rights to acquire capital stock of Nx (or any other
form of Collateral) that for any reason cannot be transferred to Nx, Pledgor
covenants that he will take such actions, which may include (but shall not be
limited to) exercising such options or other rights, necessary and appropriate
to provide to Nx the value of the consideration obtained as a result thereof. If
such options or other rights to acquire capital stock of Nx (or any other form
of Collateral) cannot be reduced to a form of property transferable to Nx, then
Pledgor shall enter into an agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Nx

                                       3

<PAGE>

providing for delivery to Nx of the value of such Collateral at the earliest
time the same can be transferred to Nx or reduced to a form of property
transferable to Nx, even if the same is after the maturity date of the Note.

      Section 4. DEFAULTS, ETC. AND REMEDIES. Any of the following shall
constitute a "Default" under this Agreement: (a) if any representation or
warranty made by Pledgor in this Agreement or in any instrument, document or
certificate furnished hereunder or in connection herewith shall prove to have
been incorrect in any material respect at the time it was made; (b) if Pledgor
fails to observe or perform in any material respect any of Pledgor's covenants,
agreements, obligations and undertakings contained in this Agreement; or (c) if
any "Event of Default" exists under the Note. In the event of any such Default,
Nx shall be cumulatively or alternatively entitled, upon notice to Pledgor in
accordance with the Note, and without necessity for legal proceedings, (i)
first, to sell any or all of the Collateral other than the Options and, second,
if the sale of such Collateral is not sufficient to pay the Note in full or cure
any Default, to exercise its right under this Agreement with respect to Options,
(ii) to transfer to the name of, or register in the name of, Nx or its nominee,
as owner rather than as secured party, any or all Collateral or (iii) a
combination of (i) and (ii). In addition, and not by way of limitation of the
foregoing, Nx shall have any or all remedies provided by law, including but not
limited to all rights and powers of a secured party after default pursuant to
the Uniform Commercial Code; provided that, except as provided below, liability
of Pledgor hereunder is limited to the Collateral and in no event shall Pledgor
be liable for any difference between the fair market value of the Collateral and
the balance due under the Note.

      Pledgor shall have the right to freely transfer the Shares in accordance
with Section 1 of this Agreement. If Pledgor transfers, encumbers or otherwise
assigns Shares without complying with the provisions of Section 1, Nx shall have
the right, upon 15 days notice to Pledgor, to proceed against Pledgor personally
for the value of the Shares that are transferred, encumbered or otherwise
assigned without complying with Section 1.

      Section 5. APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS OF SALE, ETC. The proceeds of any sale
or other disposition of, or any collection of or realization on, any of the
Collateral, and any cash held by Nx as part of the Collateral hereunder, shall
be applied by Nx from time to time to pay:

      first: all reasonable costs, fees and expenses paid or incurred by Nx
(including all amounts paid by Nx for the account of Pledgor or to Nx's agents,
brokers, counsel and consultants) in connection with the exercise, protection or
enforcement of Nx's rights and remedies under this Agreement and in and to the
Collateral, including any and all taxes, assessments, charges and encumbrances
of every kind prior to the security interest created by this Agreement which Nx
may consider necessary or desirable to pay;

      second:  to the payment of the entire indebtedness due Nx under the
Note;

      third:  the excess, if any shall be paid to Pledgor or to whomever is
then legally entitled to receive the same.

      Section 6. DUTY OF NX; EXERCISE OF RIGHTS AND REMEDIES. Nx shall have no
duty as to the protection of any of the Collateral or any income with respect
thereto, nor as to the preservation of rights against prior parties, nor as to

                                       4

<PAGE>

the preservation of any rights pertaining to any of the Collateral beyond
reasonable care in its custody. Upon Default, Nx may exercise its rights and
remedies in a commercially reasonable manner with respect to any of the
Collateral without resort or regard to other security or sources of payment for
the Pledgor's obligations.

      Section 7. TERMS SUBJECT TO APPLICABLE LAW. All rights, powers and
remedies provided herein may be exercised only to the extent that the exercise
thereof does not violate any applicable laws, and are intended to be limited to
the extent necessary so that they will not render this Agreement invalid,
unenforceable or entitled to be recorded, registered or filed under any
applicable law. If any term of this Agreement or any application thereof shall
be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity of any other terms
of this Agreement or any other applications of such term shall in no way be
affected thereby, provided that if the application of this Section 7 has the
effect of eliminating Options from the Collateral and, upon a Default, amounts
received by Nx pursuant to the exercise of Nx's rights under this Agreement with
respect to Shares are insufficient to pay the Note in full, the Options shall
cancel and terminate upon 120 days' written notice by Nx to the Pledgor.

      Section 8.  MISCELLANEOUS.

      (a) WAIVERS. No failure to exercise and no delay in exercising on the part
of either party, any right, power or remedy under this Agreement or the Note
shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or parties' exercise of
any right, power or remedy hereunder or thereunder preclude any other or further
exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power, or remedy. The
failure of either party to insist upon the strict observance or enforcement of
any provision of this Agreement or the Note shall not be construed as a waiver
or relinquishment of such provision. Any waiver of any right, power, remedy,
term or condition contained herein shall only be effective if it is in writing
and signed by both parties.

      (b) SURVIVAL OF AGREEMENTS, ETC. All representations, warranties,
covenants and agreements made by Pledgor in this Agreement or in any instrument,
document or certificate furnished hereunder or in connection herewith shall be
deemed to have been relied upon by Nx, notwithstanding any investigation
heretofore or hereafter made by Nx, and shall survive the delivery of this
Agreement, the Collateral and the incurrence of any obligations.

      (c) NOTICES. All notices, requests, demands and other communications under
this Agreement, or in respect hereof, shall be in writing and shall be hand
delivered or mailed by first-class certified mail, postage prepaid, to the
respective parties hereto addressed as follows:

      if to Pledgor, to:

            Jonathan A. Sachs
            445 Minnesota Street, Suite 2400
            St. Paul, Minnesota 55101

                                       5

<PAGE>

      if to Nx, to:

            Nx Networks, Inc.
            13575 Dulles Technology Drive
            Herndon,Virginia 20171
            Attention: Chief Financial Officer

or to such other person or address, as to either party hereto, as such party
shall designate in a written notice to the other party hereto.

      (d)   TERMINATION.  This Agreement shall terminate and be of no further
effect at such time as the Note is paid in full.

      (e)   AMENDMENTS.  This Agreement may only be amended by a writing
executed by Pledgor and Nx.

      (f)   GOVERNING LAW.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed
in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

      (g) FURTHER ASSURANCES. Pledgor agrees to cooperate with Nx and to execute
and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, all such other papers and to
take all such other actions as Nx may request from time to time in order to
carry out the provisions and purposes of this Agreement. Without limiting the
foregoing, Pledgor agrees that all securities constituting Collateral shall at
all times be in such form that Nx may sell, transfer, or otherwise dispose of
same without any signature, action, or assistance from Pledgor; and Pledgor
agrees to deliver to Nx the Collateral (whether pledged at inception by
substitution or by addition) endorsed in blank and with executed stock powers or
bond powers, as appropriate.

      (h) SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall
inure to the benefit of Pledgor and his assigns, heirs and representatives and
Nx and its successors and assigns.

      (i) COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but all of which when taken
together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same agreement.

      (j)   SECTION HEADINGS.  The headings set forth in this Agreement are
for convenience of reference only and shall not be deemed to define or limit
the provisions hereof or to affect in any way their construction and
application.

      (k) PREVIOUS AGREEMENT. This Agreement supercedes and replaces the Stock
Pledge Agreement dated April 7, 2000, between Pledgor and Nx and, that Agreement
is cancelled in all respects effective as of the date of this Agreement.

                                       6
<PAGE>

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Pledgor has executed and delivered this Agreement on
the date first above written.

                                          _____________________________________
                                          Jonathan A. Sachs

Agreed to and accepted as
of the date first above written.

Nx NETWORKS, INC.

By:_____________________________

Title:__________________________

                                       7<PAGE>

                                                                    Exhibit 10.9

                                NX NETWORKS, INC.
                              CONSULTING AGREEMENT

Agreement  ("Agreement") dated this 1st day of December,  2000 by and between Nx
Networks,  Inc., a Delaware corporation doing business as Nx Networks and having
its principal office located at 13595 Dulles Technology Drive, Herndon, VA 22071
("Nx  Networks")  and Keir  Kleinknecht,  an individual  residing at the address
below his signature  ("Consultant").  Nx Networks and  Consultant  are sometimes
referred to hereinafter singly as "party" and collectively as "parties."

1.      TERM.  Subject  to the terms of this  Agreement,  the term of this
Agreement  shall commence on the date specified  above and continue for a period
of two (2) years,  provided  that unless  either party gives the other notice of
termination  not later than 15 days  before the  scheduled  termination  of this
Agreement,  the term shall continue for successive thirty (30) day periods until
either  party  terminates  this  Agreement  upon thrity (30) days prior  written
notice.

2.      CONSULTING SERVICES. Consultant agrees to perform such consulting
services  as are  requested  of him  from  time to time by the  Chief  Executive
Officer  of Nx  Networks.  The  time and  location  of  performance  shall be as
mutually  agreed  between  Consultant  and the  Chief  Executive  Officer  of Nx
Networks.

3.      COMPENSATION.

        a)   RETAINER. Nx Networks shall pay to Consultant a retainer of $15,000
per  calendar  month  during the term of this  Agreement,  prorated  for partial
months, which amount shall be payable within ten (10) days after the end of each
month.

        b)   WARRANTS.  Nx Networks  shall grant to  Consultant  warrants to
acquire  common stock of Nx Networks.  The exercise  price of all such  warrants
shall be $0.70 per share,  and shall  have a term of five  years.  The  warrants
shall be granted as follows:

           o   240,000 warrants upon execution of this Agreement, for  services
               pursuant to this Agreement;
           o   100,000  warrants upon  execution of this Agreement, which will
               only vest if a new chief executive officer joins Nx Networks on
               or before January 15, 2001; and

           o   160,000  warrants upon  execution of this  Agreement,  which will
               only vest if a financing for at least $5 million is secured on or
               before February 15, 2001.

4.    NON-EXCLUSIVE  AGREEMENT.  Nx Networks and Consultant do not intend that
any  exclusive  relationship  be  created  between  them.  Each party is free to
independently pursue similar business opportunities.

5     CANCELLATION  OF  SERVICES.  Either  party has the  option of  canceling
this  Agreement  at any  time,  effective  upon  notice  to the  other of such
termination.

6.     ASSIGNMENT.  Consultant hereby agrees that all work provided hereunder
shall be considered  "work for hire" and that Netrix shall own all  intellectual
property rights to the deliverables  described in Appendix A. Consultant  agrees
to complete any necessary paperwork, including but not limited to the execution

<PAGE>

of a formal  Assignment  Agreement in order to perfect Netrix' interests in such
intellectual property rights.

7.      NOTICES.  All notices required hereunder shall be given in writing to
the address  listed  above,  either by personal  delivery,  by first class mail,
return receipt requested, or by telex or facsimile. The date upon which any such
notice  is so  personally  delivered,  or the date  three  (3) days  after it is
deposited in the mail, or the date the telex or fax is sent,  shall be deemed to
be the date of notice irrespective of the date appearing therein.

8.      INDEPENDENT  CONTRACTORS.  The  relationship  of Nx Networks and
Consultant established by this Agreement is that of independent  contractors and
nothing  contained herein shall be construed to: (i) give either party the power
to direct and control the day-to-day  activities of the other;  (ii)  constitute
the parties as partners, joint venturers, co-owners or otherwise as participants
in a joint or  common  undertaking;  or (iii)  allow  either  party to create or
assume any obligation on behalf of the other for any purpose whatsoever.

9.     ASSIGNMENT.  Any  assignment by Consultant of this  Agreement or any of
its rights or  obligations  hereunder,  either  voluntarily or by operation of
law shall be void without prior written consent of Nx Networks.

10.    SURVIVAL OF  OBLIGATIONS.  All  obligations of either party which, by
their nature,  require  performance  after the expiration or termination of this
Agreement,  shall survive the  expiration or  termination  of this Agreement and
continue to be enforceable.

11.    GOVERNING  LAW.  This  Agreement  shall be governed by and  construed in
accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

12.   PUBLICITY. Neither party shall have the right to include the other party's
name in  marketing  and other  materials  or to disclose  and/or  summarize  the
general nature of this Agreement  except to comply with  employment laws or when
requested to do so in writing by the other party.

13.   ENTIRE AGREEMENT.  This Agreement together with the Appendices  attached
hereto, constitutes the entire Agreement between the parties.

Executed as of the date first above written.

NX NETWORKS, INC.                   Keir Kleinknecht

By:___________________                    Signature:____________________

Title:__________________                  Address: 242 East 48th Street
                                                   New York, NY 10017

                                       2

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