| CAUSE: On Wednesday November 28, 2001, at approximately 6:46 AM CT we experienced a processing and connectivity interruption caused by excessive network traffic. All users were affected. Except for CME iLinksm and a significant portion of FIX 2.3 Express users, the systems recovered within several minutes without intervention. By 7:49 AM CT the FIX 2.3 Express users had been properly recovered. CME iLinksm was fully recovered by approximately 9:30 AM CT. RESPONSE: Emergency messages were placed on the GCCs main line. GCC assisted all users with order status and cancellations. Senior staff was notified and operations staff began the process of restoring service to all users. All orders received by the exchange and in a �Pending� status were rejected prior to full service restoration. RESOLUTION: Network and development specialists will investigate this outage to determine the exact nature of its cause and will then make a recommendation to senior staff on a permanent solution. If you have any questions, please call the GCC at 312-456-2391 option 2. | 