FORE SYSTEMS INC /DE/
10-Q, 1997-11-14
COMPUTER COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT
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<PAGE>   1
                                 UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                ---------------
                                   FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

[X]      QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
             OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 1997

                                       OR

[ ]      TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
             OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.

For the transition period from _________to__________

                         Commission file number 0-24156

                               FORE SYSTEMS, INC.
             ------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

          Delaware                                              25-1628117
- -------------------------------                            -------------------
(State or Other Jurisdiction of                              (I.R.S Employer
Incorporation or Organization)                             Identification No.)

          1000 FORE Drive, Warrendale, Pennsylvania         15086-7502
          ------------------------------------------------------------
          (Address of Principal Executive Offices)          (Zip Code)

       Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (412) 742-4444
                                                           --------------

         Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all
reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes  X   No
                                              ---     --- 
         Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's
classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

           Class                              Outstanding at October 31, 1997
- ----------------------------                  -------------------------------
Common Stock, $.01 par value                         99,641,543 Shares



<PAGE>   2

                                   FORM 10-Q

                               FORE SYSTEMS, INC.

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                           Page
                                                                          Number
PART I.        FINANCIAL INFORMATION

     Item 1.   Financial Statements

               FORE Systems, Inc. Consolidated Balance
               Sheet as of September 30, 1997 and
               March 31, 1997                                              3

               FORE Systems, Inc. Consolidated Statement
               of Income for the three months and
               six months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996                4

               FORE Systems, Inc. Consolidated Statement
               of Cash Flows for the three months and
               six months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996                5
 
               Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial
               Statements                                                  6-7

     Item 2.   Management's Discussion and Analysis of
               Financial Condition and Results of Operations               8-12

     Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk  12

PART II.       OTHER INFORMATION

     Item 1.   Legal Proceedings                                           13

     Item 4.   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders         13

     Item 6.   Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                            14

     Signatures                                                            15

     Exhibit Index                                                         16

                                      -2-



<PAGE>   3
PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.   Financial Statements.

                               FORE SYSTEMS, INC.

                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

                       (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       (UNAUDITED)
                                                                       SEPTEMBER 30,   MARCH 31,
                                                                          1997           1997
                                                                       ---------       ---------
<S>                                                                    <C>             <C>
                                     ASSETS

Current assets:
      Cash and cash equivalents                                        $ 153,709       $ 129,424
      Short-term investments                                             144,280         170,258
      Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful
         accounts of $7,498 at September 30, 1997 and
         $4,090 at March 31, 1997                                        101,721          84,997
      Inventories                                                         61,226          50,769
      Deferred income taxes                                               30,267          29,296
      Prepaid income taxes                                                14,145          19,153
      Prepaid expenses and other current assets                           13,537           6,774
                                                                       ---------       ---------
         Total current assets                                            518,885         490,671
Fixed assets, net                                                         59,589          47,906
                                                                       ---------       ---------

                      Total assets                                     $ 578,474       $ 538,577
                                                                       =========       =========


                      LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Current liabilities:
      Accounts payable                                                 $  45,621       $  36,919
      Accrued payroll and related costs                                   16,549          13,909
      Other current liabilities                                           14,844          10,230
      Accrued merger costs                                                 2,745           4,869
      Deferred revenue                                                    21,473          18,471
                                                                       ---------       ---------
         Total current liabilities                                       101,232          84,398
                                                                       ---------       ---------

Commitments and contingencies

Stockholders' equity:
      Common stock, par value $.01 per share; 300,000,000
         shares authorized; shares issued:
         99,591,109 at September 30, 1997 and 97,792,458
         at March 31, 1997                                               416,474         405,768
      Retained earnings                                                   65,082          53,130
      Treasury stock, at cost:  120,000 shares                            (3,248)         (3,248)
      Cumulative translation adjustment                                      208              53
      Valuation allowance for short-term investments                      (1,274)         (1,524)
                                                                       ---------       ---------
         Total stockholders' equity                                      477,242         454,179
                                                                       ---------       ---------

                      Total liabilities and stockholders' equity       $ 578,474       $ 538,577
                                                                       =========       =========
</TABLE>


   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

                                      -3-

<PAGE>   4

                               FORE SYSTEMS, INC.

                        CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME

                                   UNAUDITED

                (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER-SHARE DATA)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   THREE MONTHS ENDED                  SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                      SEPTEMBER 30                       SEPTEMBER 30
                                               ----------------------------     ----------------------------
                                                    1997            1996             1997            1996
                                               ------------    ------------     ------------    ------------
<S>                                            <C>             <C>              <C>             <C>
Revenue                                        $    109,719    $     98,019     $    205,078    $    181,376

Cost of sales                                        48,194          41,646           90,378          76,558
                                               ------------    ------------     ------------    ------------

Gross profit                                         61,525          56,373          114,700         104,818
                                               ------------    ------------     ------------    ------------

Operating expenses:
          Research and development                   17,132          12,619           33,037          23,809
          Sales and marketing                        31,501          21,460           59,439          40,221
          General and administrative                  5,723           4,432           10,504           8,281
                                               ------------    ------------     ------------    ------------
             Total operating expenses                54,356          38,511          102,980          72,311
                                               ------------    ------------     ------------    ------------

Income from operations                                7,169          17,862           11,720          32,507

Interest income, net                                  3,264           3,029            6,293           6,187
Other income (expense)                                  127             (30)              97             (32)
                                               ------------    ------------     ------------    ------------

Income before provision for income taxes             10,560          20,861           18,110          38,662

Provision for income taxes                            3,591           7,510            6,158          13,918
                                               ------------    ------------     ------------    ------------

Net income                                     $      6,969    $     13,351     $     11,952    $     24,744
                                               ============    ============     ============    ============

Net income per common share                    $       0.07    $       0.14     $       0.12    $       0.26
                                               ============    ============     ============    ============
Weighted average common and common
   equivalent shares outstanding                102,519,686      95,931,187      101,508,718      96,349,703
                                               ============    ============     ============    ============
</TABLE>


   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

                                      -4-

<PAGE>   5

                               FORE SYSTEMS, INC.

                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

                                   UNAUDITED

                                 (IN THOUSANDS)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        THREE MONTHS ENDED         SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                                           SEPTEMBER 30              SEPTEMBER 30
                                                                    -----------------------     -----------------------
                                                                       1997          1996          1997          1996
                                                                    ---------     ---------     ---------     ---------
<S>                                                                 <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
     Net income                                                     $   6,969     $  13,351     $  11,952     $  24,744
     Adjustments to reconcile net income
         to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
            Depreciation and amortization                               6,141         4,345        11,655         7,783
            Deferred income tax benefit                                  (716)         (902)         (971)       (1,651)
            Income tax benefit related to stock options                 1,376         8,609         1,376        16,186
            Cumulative translation adjustment                             115            --           155            --
            Change in operating assets and liabilities:
               Accounts receivable                                    (17,068)      (15,654)      (16,724)      (30,638)
               Inventories                                             (7,058)       (3,849)      (10,457)      (11,950)
               Prepaid expenses and other current assets                  344         4,549        (6,369)         (585)
               Accounts payable                                        12,170           501         8,702           313
               Accrued liabilities                                      7,802          (872)        7,275         1,774
               Prepaid income taxes and income taxes payable            3,360        (3,762)        5,008       (12,429)
               Accrued merger costs                                      (938)       (3,407)       (2,124)      (13,255)
               Deferred revenue                                         3,038          (625)        3,002           333
                                                                    ---------     ---------     ---------     ---------
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities                    15,535         2,284        12,480       (19,375)
                                                                    ---------     ---------     ---------     ---------

Cash flows from investing activities:
     Purchases of short-term investments                              (50,290)      (91,111)      (98,935)     (145,344)
     Redemption and sale of short-term investments                     79,851        75,616       125,163        96,712
     Capitalization of software development costs                        (575)         (242)         (585)         (424)
     Purchases of fixed assets                                        (10,330)      (10,094)      (23,147)      (20,150)
                                                                    ---------     ---------     ---------     ---------
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities                    18,656       (25,831)        2,496       (69,206)
                                                                    ---------     ---------     ---------     ---------

Cash flows from financing activities:
     Principal payments on notes payable and capital lease
         obligations                                                       --           (28)          (21)          (71)
     Purchase of treasury stock                                            --        (3,248)           --        (3,248)
     Proceeds from issuance of common stock                             5,664         8,978         9,330        17,324
                                                                    ---------     ---------     ---------     ---------
Net cash provided by financing activities                               5,664         5,702         9,309        14,005
                                                                    ---------     ---------     ---------     ---------

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                       39,855       (17,845)       24,285       (74,576)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period                      113,854       147,282       129,424       204,013
                                                                    ---------     ---------     ---------     ---------

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period                          $ 153,709     $ 129,437     $ 153,709     $ 129,437
                                                                    =========     =========     =========     =========
</TABLE>


   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

                                      -5-
<PAGE>   6
              NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                               September 30, 1997

NOTE 1.  Interim Financial Statements

         The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements
of FORE Systems, Inc. (the "Company") have been prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and
with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X.
Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required
by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.
In the opinion of management, these statements include all adjustments,
consisting of normal and recurring adjustments, considered necessary for a fair
presentation of these results for such periods. The results of operations for
the three and six month periods ending September 30, 1997 are not necessarily
indicative of results which may be achieved for the entire fiscal year ending
March 31, 1998. The unaudited consolidated interim financial statements should
be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto
contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
March 31, 1997 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

NOTE 2.  Inventories (in thousands)

         Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, cost being
determined using the first-in, first-out method, and include raw material
components, processing costs and manufacturing overhead costs. Inventories are
summarized as follows:

                        September 30, 1997       March 31, 1997
                        ------------------       --------------
Raw Materials                $ 16,260               $16,054
Work in Process                 8,990                 5,097
Finished Goods                 35,976                29,618
                             --------               -------
Total Inventories            $ 61,226               $50,769
                             ========               =======

NOTE 3.  Lease Commitments

         In December 1995, the Company entered into an agreement to lease
headquarters and operating facilities constructed on land which was purchased
by the Company. The Company is now occupying the facilities. In October 1997,
the lessor finalized permanent financing arrangements for the facilities with a
group of lenders. Total amount financed was $41 million. The Company is leasing
the facilities under a ten-year operating lease and has options, subject to the
lenders' and lessor's consent, to renew the lease for two additional five-year
terms. Annual minimum rental payments under the lease are approximately $3.3
million and will commence on April 30, 1998. The Company has guaranteed
repayment of up to approximately $32 million of the lenders' financing of the
facilities.

         As part of the above lease transaction, the Company pledged $24.3
million, as of October 31, 1997, of securities it holds as collateral for
specified obligations of the lessor. In addition, under the terms of the lease,
the Company is required to comply with certain financial covenants including
the maintenance of a minimum tangible net worth. Other restrictive covenants
limit indebtedness and the payment of dividends.

                                      -6-


<PAGE>   7

         The Company may, at its option, purchase the facilities during or at
the expiration of the term of the lease at an amount equal to the remaining
balance of any debt of the lessor related to the construction of the facilities
plus any applicable prepayment penalties. If the Company does not exercise the
purchase option at the end of the lease, the Company will guarantee the
residual value of the facilities of approximately $24 million, an amount which
was determined at the lease inception date.

NOTE 4.  Legal Proceedings

         In July and August 1997, the Company was notified that it is a party
to seven nearly identical class action lawsuits alleging certain violations of
federal securities laws by the Company and certain of its officers, who are
named as defendants in the suits, arising from alleged misstatements or
omissions by the Company. Plaintiffs seek compensatory damages for injuries
allegedly incurred by purchasers of the Company's stock during the period from
October 17, 1996 through April 1, 1997, inclusive. The Company believes the
allegations in each complaint are completely without merit and intends to
defend these actions vigorously. The court has ordered that the lawsuits be
consolidated and that a consolidated amended complaint be filed no later than
December 15, 1997. The Company must file a responsive pleading to the
consolidated amended complaint no later than January 31, 1998. Management
believes that the ultimate outcome of these claims will not have a material
adverse effect on the results of operations or financial position of the
Company.

NOTE 5.  New Accounting Pronouncements

         In February 1997, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128
"Earnings per share"("SFAS 128") was issued by the Financial Accounting
Standards Board ("FASB"). SFAS 128 specifies modifications to the calculation
of earnings per share from that currently used by the Company. Under SFAS 128,
"basic earnings per share" will be calculated based upon the weighted average
number of common shares actually outstanding, and "diluted earnings per share"
will be calculated based upon the weighted average number of common shares
outstanding and other potential common shares if they are dilutive. SFAS 128 is
effective for the Company's third quarter of 1998 and will be adopted at that
time. Prior periods will be restated. Had the Company determined earnings per
share in accordance with SFAS 128, basic earnings per share and diluted
earnings per share for the quarter ended September 30, 1997 would have been
$.07 and $.07, respectively, as compared to $.15 and $.14, respectively, for
the corresponding period in 1996. Under SFAS 128, basic earnings per share and
diluted earnings per share for the six month period ended September 30, 1997
would have been $.12 and $.12, respectively, as compared to $.28 and $.26,
respectively, for the corresponding period in 1996.

         In June 1997, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 130 "Reporting Comprehensive Income" ("SFAS 130") and Statement
of Financial Accounting Standards No. 131 "Disclosures about Segments of an
Enterprise and Related Information" ("SFAS 131"). The Company will implement
SFAS No. 130 and SFAS No. 131 as required in fiscal 1999 which require the
Company to report and display certain information related to comprehensive
income and operating segments.

                                      -7-


<PAGE>   8

Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
         Condition and Results of Operations.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

GENERAL

     FORE Systems, Inc. (the "Company") is a leader in the design, development,
manufacture and sale of high-performance networking products based on
Asynchronous Transfer Mode ("ATM") technology. ATM provides significantly
greater scalability and total capacity than conventional networking
technologies. ATM improves the performance of today's network applications, and
also enables new applications, including integrated video, audio and data
communications. The Company believes that it currently offers the most
comprehensive ATM product line available, including ForeRunner(R) ATM switches
for enterprise applications, TNX(TM) ATM switches for service provider
applications, PowerHub(R) local area network ("LAN") switches and ES-3810
Ethernet switches for ATM connectivity, ForeRunner(R) ATM adapter cards,
CellPath(TM) wide area network ("WAN") multiplexing products for WAN access,
ForeThought(TM) internetworking software, ForeView(R) network management
software and the StreamRunner(TM) ATM video product line.

     The Company believes that period-to-period comparisons of its financial
results are not necessarily meaningful and should not be relied upon as an
indication of future performance. In addition, the Company's results of
operations may fluctuate from period to period in the future.

     Certain statements made herein, including, without limitation, statements
regarding increased market acceptance of ATM and LAN switching products,
statements regarding the Company's pricing strategies and resulting effects on
revenue and gross margins and statements regarding the Company's sales and
marketing strategies, may be deemed to be forward-looking statements that
involve risks and uncertainties. Such statements should be read in conjunction
with certain cautionary statements set forth herein and the list of factors set
forth in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31,
1997 (the "Form 10-K"). Such factors could cause actual results to differ
materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements contained
herein.

QUARTER AND SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 COMPARED WITH QUARTER AND SIX
MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996

     REVENUE. Revenue increased by 12% to $109.7 million in the quarter ended
September 30, 1997, from $98.0 million in the quarter ended September 30, 1996.
The distribution of revenue from sales to domestic and foreign customers was
71% and 29%, respectively, in the quarter ended September 30, 1997. This
compares with 67% and 33%, respectively, in the corresponding quarter in 1996.
In the quarter ended September 30, 1997, the distribution of revenue from sales
to foreign customers by geographic region was 17%, 7% and 5% for Europe,
Pacific Rim and other, respectively. Geographic mix for the corresponding
quarter in 1996 was 11%, 16% and 6%, respectively. Revenue increased by 13% to
$205.1 million for the six month period ended September 30, 1997, as compared
to $181.4 million in the corresponding six month period in 1996. The
distribution of revenue from sales to domestic and foreign customers was 71%
and 29%, respectively, in the six month period ended September 30, 1997. This
compares with 63% and 37%, respectively, in the corresponding period in 1996.
The distribution of revenue from sales to foreign customers by geographic
region for the six month period ended September 30, 1997 was 16%, 6% and 7% for
Europe, Pacific Rim and other, respectively. Geographic mix for the
corresponding six month period in 1996 was 13%, 18% and 6% respectively. The
increase in total revenue dollars was attributable to the

                                      -8-


<PAGE>   9

increased market acceptance of ATM and LAN switching products. The decrease in
foreign revenue as a percentage of revenue was largely attributable to a
decrease in sales in Japan which were adversely affected by a decrease in sales
to the Japanese government, increased competition in Japan and slower overall
acceptance of ATM technology in Japan. The principal reason for the decrease in
foreign revenue, in dollars and as a percentage, for the six months ended
September 30, 1997, was slower sales in Japan. The decrease in Japanese sales
during that period is largely attributable to a decrease in sales to the
Japanese government, increased competition in Japan and slower overall
acceptance of ATM technology in Japan. There can be no assurance that the
Company's revenue from international sales will not continue to decline. There
can be no assurance that revenue from sales of the Company's products will
continue to grow at its historical growth rate, given the competitive nature of
the market for networking products, the fact that such market is characterized
by evolving industry standards, frequent new product introductions and rapid
technological development which could render the Company's products
noncompetitive or obsolete and the fact that many of the Company's competitors
have significantly greater financial, technological and personnel resources
than does the Company. For these and other risk factors affecting the Company,
see the list of risk factors set forth in the Form 10-K.

     The Company measures overall unit volume for its switching products based
on the number of ATM ports or network connections shipped. The total number of
ATM ports shipped in the quarter ended September 30, 1997 was over 33,000, as
compared with almost 23,000 in the previous year's corresponding period. The
total installed base of ATM ports as of September 30, 1997 was approximately
218,000, as compared with over 104,000 at September 30, 1996. The total number
of LAN switching ports shipped in the quarter ended September 30, 1997 was
approximately 106,000, as compared with close to 63,000 in the previous year's
corresponding period. The total number of adapter cards shipped in the quarter
ended September 30, 1997 was over 11,400, as compared with almost 8,400 in the
previous year's corresponding period. The total installed base of adapter cards
as of September 30, 1997 was over 80,000 as compared with approximately 44,000
at September 30, 1996. In the quarter ended September 30, 1997, revenue mix, as
a percentage of revenue, among ATM switching products, LAN switching products,
adapter cards and other revenue (principally service support and development
contracts) was 57%, 30%, 5% and 8%, respectively. Revenue mix for the
corresponding quarter in 1996 was 54%, 33%, 5% and 8%, respectively. Average
selling price per ATM port during the quarter ended September 30, 1997 was
$1,900, as compared to $2,300 in the corresponding quarter in 1996. Average
selling price per LAN switching port was $300 in the quarter ended September
30, 1997 as compared to $500 in the corresponding quarter in 1996. Average
selling price for adapter cards shipped during the quarter ended September 30,
1997 was $500, as compared to $650 in the previous year's quarter ended
September 30, 1996. In May of 1996, the Company reduced the price of certain of
its ATM switches by up to 40%. The Company reduced the price of certain of its
LAN switching products by up to 15% in September 1996. The Company believes
that reductions in price per port on ATM and LAN switching products will help
stimulate demand for those products. However, many risk factors, including the
risk that networking products based on ATM may not achieve broad commercial
acceptance, the risk of competition from larger and better financed competitors
and the risk that new technologies may render the Company's products obsolete
or noncompetitive, may cause actual results to differ.

     GROSS PROFIT. Gross profit increased to $61.5 million or 56.1% as a
percentage of revenue in the quarter ended September 30, 1997, as compared to
gross profit of $56.4 million or 57.5% as a percentage of revenue in the
corresponding quarter in 1996. Gross profit of $114.7 million or 55.9% as a
percentage of revenue for the six month period ended September 30, 1997,
compares to gross profit of $104.8 million or 57.8% as a percentage of revenue
during the same period in the previous year. The dollar increase in gross
profit was largely attributable to the increase in revenue. The gross margin
percentage decline primarily resulted from continued pricing pressure and an
increased contribution to the total product mix of low-end LAN switching
products. The Company intends to price its products

                                      -9-


<PAGE>   10

competitively in order to continue to increase revenue and to stimulate demand
for its products. In future periods, gross margins may be adversely affected by
price competition or changes in sales channels, increases in the costs of goods
or changes in the mix of products sold.

     RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT. Research and development expense was $17.1
million or 15.6% of revenue in the quarter ended September 30, 1997, as
compared to $12.6 million or 12.9% of revenue in the corresponding quarter in
1996.  Research and development expense for the six month period ended
September 30, 1997 was $33.0 million or 16.1% of revenue, as compared to $23.8
million or 13.1% of revenue in the year ago six month period. The increase in
research and development expense in dollars and as a percentage of revenue was
largely attributable to increased purchases of research and development
materials, additional engineering costs associated with acquisitions, increases
in depreciation and increases in salary costs. The number of employees of the
Company engaged in research and development increased to 408 at September 30,
1997, from 400 at September 30, 1996.

     SALES AND MARKETING. Sales and marketing expense was $31.5 million or
28.7% of revenue for the quarter ended September 30, 1997, as compared to $21.5
million or 21.9% of revenue in the corresponding quarter in 1996. Sales and
marketing expense for the six month period ended September 30, 1997 was $59.4
million or 29.0% of revenue, as compared to $40.2 million or 22.2% of revenue
in the year ago six month period. The increase in sales and marketing expense
was largely the result of hiring additional sales, marketing and support
personnel (including training and documentation), increased salary costs and
increased marketing promotion costs. The number of employees of the Company
engaged in sales and marketing activities increased to 622 at September 30,
1997, from 551 at September 30, 1996. The Company expects to increase sales and
marketing expenses both domestically and internationally as part of its
continuing effort to expand its markets, introduce new products, build
marketing staff and programs and expand its international presence. Such
efforts are subject to a number of risk factors, including competition in the
networking industry, the timing and nature of any new product introductions by
the Company or its competitors, the level of customer demand, the possibility
that ATM-based networking products will not achieve continuing market
acceptance as competing technologies are introduced by competitors, and other
risks, and there can be no assurance that such efforts will be successful.

     GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE. General and administrative expense was $5.7
million or 5.2% of revenue in the quarter ended September 30, 1997, as compared
to $4.4 million or 4.5% of revenue in the corresponding quarter in 1996.
General and administrative expense for the six month period ended September 30,
1997 was $10.5 million or 5.1% of revenue, as compared to $8.3 million or 4.6%
of revenue in the year ago six month period. The increase in general and
administrative expense was largely due to increased salary costs, increased
hiring of administrative staff, including those engaged in systems
administration, accounting and human resources, and increased costs for
professional services and depreciation. The number of employees of the Company
engaged in general and administrative activities increased to 153 at September
30, 1997, from 142 at September 30, 1996. The Company plans to make appropriate
expenditures in the general and administrative organization as necessary and
does not expect the overall cost as a percentage of revenue to materially
fluctuate in the next twelve months.

     INTEREST INCOME. Interest income, net of interest expense, was $3.3
million and $6.3 million, respectively, in the quarter and six months ended
September 30, 1997, as compared to $3.0 million and $6.2 million in the
corresponding quarter and six month period in 1996.

     INCOME TAXES. The provision for income taxes was $3.6 million, or an
effective rate of 34%, in the quarter ended September 30, 1997, as compared to
$7.5 million, or an effective rate 36%, in the previous year's quarter ended
September 30, 1996. The provision for income taxes recorded in the six month
period ended September 30, 1997 was 6.2 million, or an effective rate of 34%,
as compared to


                                      -10-
<PAGE>   11

13.9 million, or an effective rate of 36%, in the corresponding six month
period in 1996. The decrease in the effective tax rate is primarily the result
of certain tax advantages associated with the opening of the Company's new
manufacturing facility in Dublin, Ireland.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

     The Company has financed most of its working capital and capital
expenditure requirements to date primarily through cash proceeds from public
offerings and cash generated from operations.

     Net cash provided by operations was $12.5 million for the six month period
ended September 30, 1997. Net cash provided by operations was the result of net
income and increases to accounts payable and accrued liabilities offset by
increases to accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other current assets and
inventories. The increase in accounts receivable and inventories was due to
increased revenue. Cash used by operations was $19.4 million for the six months
ended September 30, 1996, which resulted from increased accounts receivable and
inventories and decreases in accrued merger costs and prepaid income taxes and
income taxes payable, offset by net income and increased current liabilities.
The Company's investing activities to date have been primarily for the purchase
of fixed assets to support the Company's growth.

     At September 30, 1997, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of
approximately $153.7 million, short-term investments of $144.3 million and an
unused line of credit of $20 million.

     In December 1995, the Company entered into an agreement to lease
headquarters and operating facilities constructed on land which was purchased
by the Company. The Company is now occupying the facilities. In October 1997,
the lessor finalized permanent financing arrangements for the facilities with a
group of lenders. Total amount financed was $41 million. The Company is leasing
the facilities under a ten-year operating lease and has options, subject to the
lenders' and lessor's consent, to renew the lease for two additional five-year
terms. Annual minimum rental payments under the lease are approximately $3.3
million and will commence on April 30, 1998. The Company has guaranteed
repayment of up to approximately $32 million of the lenders' financing of the
facilities.

     As part of the above lease transaction, the Company pledged $24.3 million,
as of October 31, 1997, of securities it holds as collateral for specified
obligations of the lessor. In addition, under the terms of the lease, the
Company is required to comply with certain financial covenants including the
maintenance of a minimum tangible net worth. Other restrictive covenants limit
indebtedness and the payment of dividends.

     The Company believes that the proceeds from its public offerings, together
with its existing sources of liquidity and internally generated cash, will
satisfy the Company's projected cash needs through at least the next twelve
months. The Company may require additional sources of liquidity to fund future
growth, including additional equity offerings or debt financing.

     In July and August 1997, the Company was notified that it is a party to
seven nearly identical class action lawsuits alleging certain violations of
federal securities laws by the Company and certain of its officers, who are
named as defendants in the suits, arising from alleged misstatements or
omissions by the Company. Plaintiffs seek compensatory damages for injuries
allegedly incurred by purchasers of the Company's stock during the period from
October 17, 1996 through April 1, 1997, inclusive. The Company believes the
allegations in each complaint are completely without merit and intends to
defend these actions vigorously. The court has ordered that the lawsuits be
consolidated and that a consolidated amended complaint be filed no later than
December 15, 1997. The Company must file a responsive pleading to the
consolidated amended complaint no later than January 31, 1998. Management
believes that the ultimate outcome of these claims will not have a material
adverse effect on the results of operations or financial position of the
Company.

                                      -11-


<PAGE>   12

     To date, inflation has not had a material impact on the Company's
financial results.

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

      In February 1997, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128
"Earnings per share"("SFAS 128") was issued by the Financial Accounting
Standards Board ("FASB"). SFAS 128 specifies modifications to the calculation
of earnings per share from that currently used by the Company.

      Under SFAS 128, "basic earnings per share" will be calculated based upon
the weighted average number of common shares actually outstanding, and "diluted
earnings per share" will be calculated based upon the weighted average number of
common shares outstanding and other potential common shares if they are
dilutive. SFAS 128 is effective for the Company's third quarter of 1998 and will
be adopted at that time. Prior periods will be restated. Had the Company
determined earnings per share in accordance with SFAS 128, basic earnings per
share and diluted earnings per share for the quarter ended September 30, 1997
would have been $.07 and $.07, respectively, as compared to $.15 and $.14,
respectively, for the corresponding period in 1996. Under SFAS 128, basic
earnings per share and diluted earnings per share for the six month period ended
September 30, 1997 would have been $.12 and $.12, respectively, as compared to
$.28 and $.26, respectively, for the corresponding period in 1996.

     In June 1997, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
No. 130 "Reporting Comprehensive Income" ("SFAS 130") and Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 131 "Disclosures about Segments of an
Enterprise and Related Information" ("SFAS 131"). The Company will implement
SFAS No. 130 and SFAS No. 131 as required in fiscal 1999 which require the
Company to report and display certain information related to comprehensive
income and operating segments.


Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.

     Not Applicable.

                                      -12-
<PAGE>   13

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.   Legal Proceedings.

          In July and August of 1997, the Company was notified that seven
separate complaints (Robert K. Bell, et al. v. FORE Systems, Inc., et al.,
Alexander Haff v. FORE Systems, Inc., et al., Neil Lazzaro v. FORE Systems,
Inc., et al., Oscar Federbusch v. FORE Systems, Inc., et al., Meridian Capital
Funding, Inc. v. FORE Systems, Inc., et al., Ray Chiostri v. FORE Systems,
Inc., et al., and Rita M. Davidson v. FORE Systems, Inc., et al.) were filed in
the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
alleging certain violations of federal securities laws by the Company and
certain of its officers, who are named as defendants in the suits, arising from
alleged misstatements or omissions by the Company. Each suit, each of which is
identical in nature to the others, was filed as a class action on behalf of the
named plaintiffs and others who are purportedly similarly situated. Plaintiffs
seek compensatory damages for injuries allegedly incurred by purchasers of the
Company's stock during the period from October 17, 1996 through April 1, 1997,
inclusive. The Company believes the allegations in each complaint are
completely without merit and intends to defend these actions vigorously. The
court has ordered that the lawsuits be consolidated and that a consolidated
amended complaint be filed no later than December 15, 1997. The Company must
file a responsive pleading to the consolidated amended complaint no later than
January 31, 1998.

Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

         (a)   The 1997 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company was
               held on Thursday, July 31, 1997.

         (b)   Not applicable, pursuant to Instruction 3 to Item 4 of this
               Form 10-Q.

         (c)   A description of the matters voted upon at the meeting along with
               an indication of the results of the votes on such matters are set
               forth below:

               1.  The election of two class I directors to serve for a term of
                   three years and until their respective successors are duly
                   elected and qualified:

                                         Votes           Authority
                                          For             Withheld
                                          ---             --------

                   Eric C. Cooper      82,210,090       2,342,825
                   Onat Menzilcioglu   82,205,466       2,347,449

               2.  Ratification of the selection of Price Waterhouse LLP,
                   independent accountants, to audit the books and accounts of
                   the Company for the year ending March 31, 1998: For:
                   83,894,986; Against: 192,002; Abstentions: 465,927.

         (d)   Not applicable.

                                      -13-

<PAGE>   14

Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.

         a)  Exhibits.

         The exhibits listed below are filed or incorporated by reference as
         part of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q:

         3.1 Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of FORE Systems,
         Inc. (as amended by Certificate of Amendment dated May 6, 1996)
         (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Annual
         Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1996).

         3.2 Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of FORE Systems, Inc. (as
         amended through March 5, 1997) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
         3.2 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
         ended March 31, 1997).

         10.1 Amendment No. 1 to the Participation Agreement, dated as of
         October 31, 1997, by and among FORE Systems, Inc., Wilmington Trust
         Company, Mellon Financial Services Corporation #4 and Mellon Bank, N.A.

         10.2 Amendment No. 1 to the Guaranty Agreement, dated as of October 31,
         1997, by and among FORE Systems Holding Corporation, Mellon Financial
         Services Corporation #4 and Mellon Bank, N.A.

         10.3 Amended and Restated Pledge and Security Agreement, dated as of
         October 31, 1997, by and among FORE Systems Holding Corporation, FORE
         Systems, Inc., Mellon Financial Services Corporation #4 and Mellon
         Bank, N.A.

         10.4 Pledge and Security Agreement - B (Refinancing), dated as of
         October 31, 1997, by and among FORE Systems Holding Corporation, FORE
         Systems, Inc., Mellon Financial Services Corporation #4 and Mellon
         Bank, N.A.

         10.5 Confirmation of Guaranty, dated as of October 31, 1997, by and
         among FORE Systems, Inc., Mellon Bank, N.A. and Mellon Financial
         Services Corporation #4.

         11.1. Statement regarding Computation of Per Share Earnings.

         27.1. Financial Data Schedule.

         b) Reports on Form 8-K.

         The Company did not file any reports on Form 8-K during the quarter
         ended September 30, 1997.

                                      -14-


<PAGE>   15

                                   SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

                                   FORE SYSTEMS, INC.
                                   (Registrant)

Date: November 14, 1997            /s/  Eric C. Cooper
                                   -------------------------
                                        Eric C. Cooper
                                        Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
                                        (Principal Executive Officer)

Date: November 14, 1997            /s/  Thomas J. Gill
                                   -------------------------
                                        Thomas J. Gill
                                        Chief Operating Officer,
                                        Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
                                        (Principal Financial and Chief
                                        Accounting Officer)

                                      -15-
<PAGE>   16

                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit No.           Description
<S>                  <C>
   10.1               Amendment No. 1 to the Participation Agreement, dated as of
                      October 31, 1997, by and among FORE Systems, Inc.,
                      Wilmington Trust Company, Mellon Financial Services
                      Corporation #4 and Mellon Bank, N.A.

   10.2               Amendment No. 1 to the Guaranty Agreement, dated as of 
                      October 31, 1997, by and among FORE Systems Holding
                      Corporation, Mellon Financial Services Corporation #4 and
                      Mellon Bank, N.A.

   10.3               Amended and Restated Pledge and Security Agreement, dated as of
                      October 31, 1997, by and among FORE Systems Holding
                      Corporation, FORE Systems, Inc., Mellon Financial Services
                      Corporation #4 and Mellon Bank, N.A.

   10.4               Pledge and Security Agreement - B (Refinancing), dated as
                      of October 31, 1997, by and among FORE Systems Holding
                      Corporation, FORE Systems, Inc., Mellon Financial Services
                      Corporation #4 and Mellon Bank, N.A.

   10.5               Confirmation of Guaranty, dated as of October 31, 1997, by and
                      among FORE Systems, Inc., Mellon Bank, N.A. and Mellon
                      Financial Services Corporation #4.

   11.1               Statement Re Computation of per Share Earnings

   27.1               Financial Data Schedule
</TABLE>


                                      -16-

<PAGE>   1
                                                                  Exhibit 10.1


==============================================================================



                 AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO THE PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT


                          Dated as of October 31, 1997


                      (amending the Participation Agreement
                         dated as of December 13, 1995)


                                     between


                               FORE SYSTEMS, INC.,

                  as Lessee, Guarantor, and Construction Agent


                            WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY,
            not in its individual capacity, but solely as trustee of
                           BRUSH CREEK BUSINESS TRUST,

                       as Lessor and Certificate Trustee,


                    MELLON FINANCIAL SERVICES CORPORATION #4,
                 as Certificate Purchaser and Tranche B Lender,

                            as Certificate Purchaser

                                       and

                               MELLON BANK, N.A.,

                   as Construction Lender and Tranche A Lender




==============================================================================


<PAGE>   2




                 AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO THE PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT


         THIS AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO THE PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT dated as of 
October 31, 1997 (this "Amendment"), among FORE SYSTEMS, INC., a Delaware 
corporation, as Lessee, Guarantor and Construction Agent; WILMINGTON TRUST
COMPANY, not in its individual capacity, except as expressly stated herein, but
solely as trustee of BRUSH CREEK BUSINESS TRUST, a Delaware business trust, as
Lessor and Certificate Trustee; MELLON FINANCIAL SERVICES CORPORATION #4, a
Pennsylvania corporation, as the Certificate Purchaser and Tranche B Lender; and
MELLON BANK, N.A., a national banking association ("Mellon"), as Construction
Lender and Tranche A Lender,


                              W I T N E S S E T H:

         WHEREAS, Lessor, the Tranche A Lender and the Tranche B Lender intend
to enter into a certain Amended and Restated Term Loan Agreement, dated as of
October 31, 1997;

         WHEREAS, the Guarantor entered into a certain Confirmation of Guaranty,
dated as of October 31, 1997 (the "Confirmation of Guaranty") whereby the
Guarantor will confirm that the Guaranty remains in full force and effect;

         WHEREAS, FORE Systems Holding Corporation entered into a certain
Amendment No. 1 to the Guaranty Agreement, dated as of October 31, 1997 (the
"Amendment of Guaranty Agreement") whereby (among other matters) FORE Systems
Holding Corporation will confirm that the Guaranty Agreement remains in full
force and effect;

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual terms and conditions
herein contained, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto
agree as follows:

<PAGE>   3



                                    ARTICLE I

                                   DEFINITIONS

         SECTION I.1. Use of Defined Terms; Rules of Usage. Unless otherwise
defined or the context otherwise requires, terms for which meanings are provided
in Appendix I to the Participation Agreement shall have such meanings when used
in this Amendment. The rules of interpretation set forth in Appendix I to the
Participation Agreement shall apply to this Amendment.

         SECTION I.2. Certain Defined Terms. The following terms (whether or not
underscored) when used in this Amendment, including its preamble and recitals,
shall, except where the context otherwise requires, have the following meanings
(such meanings to be equally applicable to the singular and plural forms
thereof):

         "Amended and Restated Pledge and Security Agreement" means the Amended
and Restated Pledge and Security Agreement, dated as of October 31, 1997, among
the Pledgor, the Tranche A Lender, FORE, and Mellon Bank N.A., as custodian
thereunder (amending and restating the Pledge and Security Agreement).

         "Amendment" is defined in the preamble.

         "Amendment of Guaranty Agreement" is defined in the recitals.

         "Confirmation of Guaranty" is defined in the recitals.

         "Participation Agreement" means that certain participation agreement
dated as of December 13, 1995, entered into by and among FORE Systems, Inc., a
Delaware corporation, as lessee, guarantor and construction agent; Wilmington
Trust Company, not in its individual capacity, except as expressly stated
herein, but solely as trustee of Brush Creek Business Trust, a Delaware business
trust, as lessor and certificate trustee; Mellon Financial Services Corporation
#4, a Pennsylvania corporation, as the Certificate Purchaser; and Mellon Bank,
N.A., a national banking association, as construction lender.


<PAGE>   4


                                   ARTICLE II

                                   AMENDMENTS

         SECTION II.1. Amendments to Appendix I to the Participation Agreement.

         (a) The following definitions contained in Appendix I of the
Participation Agreement are hereby amended and restated to read in their
entirety as follows:

                  "Alternate Base Rate" means, for any period, an interest rate
per annum equal to the sum of (i) the Federal Funds Effective Rate most recently
determined by the Lender plus .50% and (ii) in respect of a determination
relative to any Certificate, the Certificate Margin. If the aforesaid rate
changes from time to time after the date of the Loan Agreement, the Alternate
Base Rate shall be automatically increased or decreased, if appropriate and as
the case may be, without notice to the Lessee or the Lessor, as of the effective
time of each change, provided that the Lender shall endeavor to notify the
Lessee of any such change but shall have no liability for any failure to do so.

                  "Applicable Margin" means with respect to Tranche A Loans, 1/2
of 1%.

                  "Base Date" means October 31, 1997.

                  "Default" means any event or condition which, with the lapse
of time or the giving of notice, or both, would constitute an Event of Default
or a Loan Agreement Event of Default.

                  "Eurodollar Rate" means with respect to each day during the
applicable Interest Period, the rate per annum determined by the Tranche A
Lender by dividing (the resulting quotient to be rounded upward to the nearest
1/100 of 1%) (a) the rate of interest (which shall be the same for each day in
such Interest Period) determined in good faith by the Tranche A Lender in
accordance with its usual procedures (which determination shall be conclusive
absent manifest error) to be the average of the rates per annum for deposits in
Dollars offered to major money center banks in the London interbank market at
approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two Business Days prior to the first day



                                     - 3 -
<PAGE>   5


of such Interest Period for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period in
amounts comparable to the proposed Tranche A Loan (or, if there are no such
comparable amounts actively traded, the smallest amounts actively traded) and
having maturities comparable to such Interest Period, by (b) a number equal to
1.00 minus the Eurocurrency Reserve Requirements. The "Eurodollar Rate" may also
be expressed by the following formula:

                  [average of the rates offered to major money]
                  [center banks in the London interbank market]
Eurodollar Rate = [as determined by the Tranche A Lender as set 
                  forth above                                 ] 
                  ---------------------------------------------
                  [1.00 - Eurocurrency Reserve Requirements   ]

                  "Interest Period" means, with respect to any Construction Loan
and on and prior to the Refinancing, the Certificate:

                  (a) initially, the period commencing on the funding with
         respect to such Construction Loan and Certificate and ending on the
         tenth Business Day of the next succeeding month;

                  (b) thereafter, each period commencing on the last day of the
         next preceding Interest Period applicable to such Loan and Certificate
         and ending (x) in the case of Eurodollar Rate Construction Loans and
         Certificate any month from one, two, three, six, nine and twelve months
         thereafter, and (y) in the case of Mellon Bank Cost of Funds
         Construction Loans and Certificate, any month from one month to
         twenty-four months thereafter; and

with respect to the Tranche A Loan on and after the Refinancing Funding Date:

                  (c) the period commencing on the date the Tranche A Note is
         deemed to be issued or continued as, or converted into, a Eurodollar
         Rate Loan and ending on the date which numerically corresponds to such
         date six months thereafter (or, if such month has no numerically
         corresponding day, then on the last Business Day of such month);

provided that, the foregoing provisions relating to Interest 


                                     - 4 -
<PAGE>   6


Periods are subject to the following:

                  (i) if any Interest Period would otherwise end on a day that
is not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next
succeeding Business Day unless the result of such extension would be to carry
such Interest Period into another calendar month in which event such Interest
Period shall end on the immediately preceding Business Day;

                  (ii) any Interest Period that would otherwise extend beyond
the Construction Loan Expiration Date or the Maturity Date, as the case may be,
shall end on the Construction Loan Expiration Date or Maturity Date, as
applicable;

                  (iii) the Lessee shall select Interest Periods so as not to
require a payment or prepayment of any Construction Loan during an Interest
Period for such Construction Loan; and

                  (iv) any Interest Period in respect of a Certificate shall end
on the date the Refinancing is consummated.

                  "Loan Agreement Event of Default" means a Construction Loan
Agreement Event of Default, an Allegheny Loan Agreement Event of Default or a
Refinancing Loan Agreement Event of Default.

                  "Marketable Collateral" means (i) direct obligations of the
United States of America and agencies guaranteed by the United States government
having a final maturity of 30 months or less from the date of purchase thereof;
(ii) direct obligations of any corporation or finance company incorporated or
doing business in the United States of America having a final maturity of 30
months or less from the date of purchase and a rating assigned to such corporate
bonds of Aa2 or better by Moody's and AA or better by S&P, (iii) direct
obligations of any city, state or county and agencies of any such city, state or
county guaranteed by the city, state or county government having a final
maturity of 30 months or less from the date of purchase thereof and having a
rating assigned to such municipal bonds of Aa2 or better by Moody's and AA or
better by S&P; (iv) a certificate of deposit issued by Mellon Bank; or (v) cash.


                                     - 5 -
<PAGE>   7


                  "Note" is defined in Section 2.3 of the Construction Loan
Agreement and after the Refinancing Funding Date, a note issued under the
Amended and Restated Term Loan Agreement.

                  "Pledge and Security Agreement" means, as applicable, either:
(i) the Amended and Restated Pledge and Security Agreement among Pledgor, the
Tranche A Lender, FORE and Mellon Bank, as custodian; or (ii) the Pledge and
Security Agreement-B (Refinancing), dated as of October 31, 1997, among the
Pledgor, the Tranche B Lender, FORE and Mellon Bank, as custodian thereunder
(the "Pledge and Security Agreement-B (Refinancing)").

                  "Operative Documents" means the following:

                    (a)  the Participation Agreement;
                    (b)  the Lease;
                    (c)  the Trust Agreement;
                    (d)  the Certificate;
                    (e)  the Construction Loan Agreement;
                    (f)  the Note;
                    (g)  the Guaranty;
                    (h)  the Pledge and Security Agreement;
                    (i)  the Assignment of Leases and Rents;
                    (j)  the Deed;
                    (k)  the Mortgage;
                    (l)  the Construction Agency Agreement;
                    (m)  the Assignment of Construction Agency Agreement;
                    (n)  the Construction Documents Assignment;
                    (o)  the Completion Guaranty;
                    (p)  the Intercreditor Agreement;
                    (q)  the Guaranty Agreement; and
                    (r)  the Pledge and Security Agreement-B (Refinancing)

                  "Refinancing Credit Facility Agreements" means the Amended and
Restated Term Loan Agreement, Amendment No.1 to the Participation Agreement,
Amendment No.1 to the Guaranty Agreement, the Notes, the First Amendment to Open
End Mortgage and Security Agreement, the Confirmation of Guaranty, the Amended
and Restated Pledge and Security Agreement, and the Pledge and Security
Agreement-B (Refinancing).



                                     - 6 -
<PAGE>   8


                  "Refinancing Loan Balance" means as of the date of 
determination the Outstanding Loan Balance.

                  "Scheduled Payment Date" means (a) as to any Construction Loan
bearing interest at the Alternative Base Rate, the tenth Business Day of each
calendar month and the Expiration Date or, if any such day is not a Business
Day, the next succeeding Business Day, (b) as to any Construction Loan bearing
interest at the Mellon Prime Rate, the tenth Business Day of each calendar month
during the Construction Period and the last day of the Construction Period or,
if the last day of the Construction Period is not a Business Day, the next
succeeding Business Day, (c) as to all other types of Construction Loans, the
tenth Business Day of each calendar month during the Interest Period and the
last day of each Interest Period, (d) as to any Tranche A Loan bearing interest
at the Eurodollar Rate, the last day of each Interest Period, (e) as to any
Tranche A Loan bearing interest at the Alternative Base Rate, the last Business
Day of each calendar month and the Maturity Date and (f) as to any Tranche B
Loan, each Semi-Annual Payment Date.

                  "Tranche A Commitment" is defined in Section 2.1 of the
Amended and Restated Term Loan Agreement.

                  "Tranche A Loans" is defined in Section 2.1 of the Amended and
Restated Term Loan Agreement.

                  "Tranche B Loans" is defined in Section 2.1 of the Amended and
Restated Term Loan Agreement.

         (b) The following definitions are hereby inserted into Appendix I of
the Participation Agreement in their appropriate alphabetical order:

                  "Amended and Restated Loan Agreement" means the Amended and
Restated Term Loan Agreement, dated as of October 31, 1997 (amending and
restating the Construction Loan Agreement among the Certificate Trustee, the
Tranche A Lender and the Tranche B Lender.

                  "Board" means the Board of Governors of the Federal 


                                     - 7 -
<PAGE>   9


Reserve System of the United States (or any successor).

                  "Borrowing Request" means a loan request and certificate duly
executed by the Lessee on behalf of the Certificate Trustee, substantially in
the form of Exhibit A hereto.

                  "Construction Note" is defined in Section 2.1 to the Amended
and Restated Term Loan Agreement.

                  "Marketable Collateral-B" means, at any time, (i) direct
obligations of the United States of America and agencies guaranteed by the
United States government having a final maturity of 30 months or less from the
date of purchase thereof; (ii) a certificate of deposit issued by Mellon Bank or
(iii) cash.

                  "Outstanding Loan Balance" means at any time the aggregate
outstanding principal amount of the Tranche A Loans and Tranche B Loans.

                  "Refinancing Funding Date" means the date on which the Tranche
B Loan is made.

                  "Refinancing Loan Agreement Event of Default" is defined in
Section 6.1(a) of the Amended and Restated Term Loan Agreement.

                  "Semi-Annual Payment Date" means the last day of each April,
and October of each calendar year, commencing April 30, 1998; provided that if
the Tranche A Loan bears interest at the Eurodollar Rate, prepayments of
principal in respect of the Tranche A Loan shall be payable on the last day of
the Interest Period ending in each April and October.

                  "Submitted Financial Statements" means the financial
statements of FORE Systems, Inc. for the fiscal year ended in 1997 which were
audited by Price Waterhouse, copies of which have been delivered to the Lender.

                  "Tranche B Commitment" is defined in Section 2.1 of the
Amended and Restated Term Loan Agreement.



                                     - 8 -
<PAGE>   10


         SECTION 2.2 Amendment to Article III of the Participation Agreement.

         The following Sections 3.8 and 3.9 are added to Article III of the
Participation Agreement.

         Section 3.8. Refinancing the Tranche A Loan.

         Unless a Default or Event of Default shall exist, at the request and
expense of Lessee, and subject to the provisions of Section 2.3(b) of the Loan
Agreement, Lessor, upon receipt of written instructions from Lessee and upon
compliance with the conditions hereof shall refinance the Tranche A Loan by
either: (i) issuing and selling during the Term refunding notes pursuant to and
subject to the restrictions of Section 2.3(b) of the Amended and Restated Term
Loan Agreement with such terms and conditions as Lessee and the new Tranche A
Lender or Lenders may agree upon and, in connection therewith, use the proceeds
of such issuance and sale, to prepay, (pursuant to Section 2.3(b) of the Loan
Agreement) all of the Tranche A Loan then outstanding, in whole but not in part,
or (ii) causing the Tranche A Lender to assign the Tranche A Loan to a
commercial bank, savings and loan association, savings bank, pension plan,
depository institution, insurance company, branches or agents of foreign banks,
a real estate investment trust or other similar institution as the Lessee
identifies and as a result of such assignment the Tranche A Lender receives par
plus all accrued interest through the date of such assignment, plus all other
amounts then due and payable to the selling Tranche A Lender so long as in the
case of clause (i) or (ii) all of the following conditions shall have been
satisfied: (a) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing; (b) no such refinancing shall increase or decrease the amount, or
shorten or lengthen the maturity, of any scheduled payment of any outstanding
principal amount thereof; (c) no such refinancing shall increase the principal
amount of indebtedness then outstanding under the Tranche A Loan, provided that
the interest rate charged by the lenders in connection with any such refinancing
may be different from the interest rate under the Tranche A Loan; (d) no such
refinancing shall contain any covenants or restrictions upon the 



                                     - 9 -
<PAGE>   11



Lessee or any of its Affiliates which are materially more burdensome to the
Lessee or any of its Affiliates than the undertakings and restrictions contained
in the Operative Documents; (e) no such refinancing shall create any Liens on
any property of the Lessee or any of its Affiliates except for those Liens
created pursuant to the Security Documents in accordance with the terms of the
Security Documents; provided however, Lessee or its Affiliates may pledge
additional collateral up to a value of $5,000,000 to such new lender so long as
the pledge of such additional collateral does not violate the covenants set
forth in Section 10.3, it being understood that for purposes of applying Section
10.3(d), any such amount pledged to a new lender shall be treated as if it were
distributed as a dividend by the Lessee to its shareholders (provided, that this
subsection shall not be construed to prohibit such new Tranche A Lender from
taking a first priority mortgage position as contemplated in the Intercreditor
Agreement); (f) the lenders under such refinancing shall each execute an
agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to the Lenders, pursuant to which
such refinancing lenders shall agree to be bound by all of the obligations,
terms and conditions of the Intercreditor Agreement to which the Tranche A
Lender is bound and to assume all of the responsibilities, covenants and
agreements of the Tranche A Lender under the Intercreditor Agreement; (g) no
such refinancing shall impair the Liens, rights or benefits of the Lenders under
the Refinancing Loan Documents, or any documents or agreements executed in
connection therewith (provided, that this subsection shall not be construed to
prohibit such new Tranche A Lender from taking a first priority mortgage
position as contemplated in the Intercreditor Agreement); (h) after giving
effect to any such refinancing, no Default or Event of Default shall exist; and
(i) Lessee shall cause the Pledgor under the Pledge and Security Agreement-B
(Refinancing) to make an additional transfer to the Collateral Account (as
defined in Pledge and Security Agreement-B (Refinancing)) in the amount required
thereunder as a result of the refinancing or refunding. The parties hereto shall
cooperate in the preparation and execution of any amendments, supplements and
other writings reasonably requested to accomplish such refinancing, including
assignments and/or release instruments, as appropriate. Lessee shall reimburse
Lessor, the Tranche A Lender and Tranche B Lender for all reasonable costs and
expenses (including all reasonable internal and external costs and fees of 



                                     - 10 -
<PAGE>   12


the Tranche A Lender and Tranche B Lender) incurred in connection with any
refinancing of the Tranche A Loan.

                  SECTION 3.9. Instructions to Certificate Trustee.

         Pursuant to Section 4.4 of the Trust Agreement (Brush Creek Business
Trust) the Certificate Purchaser hereby instructs the Certificate Trustee to
execute and deliver each of the Refinancing Credit Facility Agreements to which
it is a party. All action taken by the Certificate Trustee in connection with
this Section 3.9 is covered by the fee and indemnification provisions set forth
in Section 7.1 of the Trust Agreement.

         SECTION 2.3 Amendment to Section 4.6 of the Participation
                     Agreement.

         Section 4.6 is amended to read in its entirety as follows:

         Lessee shall pay to the Certificate Purchaser, a fully-earned,
non-refundable arrangement fee in the amount of $200,000, payable on January 10,
1996.


         SECTION 2.4 Amendment to Section 10.3 of the Participation
                     Agreement

         Section 10.3(c)(3) of the Participation Agreement is amended to read in
its entirety as follows:

         (c)   Limitations on Indebtedness.

               (3) Consolidated Funded Indebtedness shall not at any time
exceed 20% of Consolidated Shareholders' Equity.


         SECTION 2.5 Amendment to Article X of the Participation Agreement.

         The following Section 10.3.A. is added to Article X of the
Participation Agreement.



                                     - 11 -
<PAGE>   13


         SECTION 10.3.A. Negative Covenant.

         Lessee will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter
into any agreement prohibiting the ability of any Subsidiary to make any
payments, directly or indirectly, to the Lessee by way of dividends, advances,
repayment of loans or advances, reimbursement of management and other
intercompany charges, expenses and accruals or other returns on investments, or
any other agreement or arrangement which restricts the ability of any such
Subsidiary to make any payment, directly or indirectly, to Lessee.

         SECTION 2.6 Amendment to Article XIV of the Participation Agreement.

         The following Section 14.18 is added to Article XIV of the
Participation Agreement.

         SECTION 14.18. Pledged Property. If an Event of Default (as defined in
the Amended and Restated Pledge and Security Agreement) exists, the Tranche A
Lender (only prior to a sale or refinancing of the Tranche A Loans under Section
3.8) shall with reasonable diligence exercise a substantial remedy in respect of
the Pledged Property (unless otherwise prohibited by operation of law) before
asserting any claim to a distribution under Section 3.7 of the Intercreditor
Agreement.


                                   ARTICLE III

                              CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

         SECTION III.1. Conditions to Effectiveness. This Amendment shall become
effective as of the date hereof (the "Effective Date") when each of the
conditions precedent set forth in this Article III shall have been satisfied or
waived in writing by each of the parties hereto.

         (a) Each of the conditions precedent set forth in Section
6.1(a),(b),(d), (f), (g),(h),(m), and 6.2(c),(d),(e),(f) and (l) of the
Participation Agreement, insofar as the conditions contained therein are
applicable to the Refinancing, are hereby 


                                     - 12 -
<PAGE>   14


incorporated by reference into this Section as though specifically set forth
herein together with all related definitions and ancillary provisions.

         SECTION 3.2. Compliance with Warranties. The representations
and warranties set forth in Article IV hereof shall be true and correct.

         SECTION 3.3. Execution and Delivery of Amended and Restated Term Loan
Agreement. The Amended and Restated Term Loan Agreement shall have been duly
executed and delivered by the Certificate Trustee and the Lenders and the
conditions to its effectiveness shall have been satisfied or waived.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

         SECTION IV.1. Guarantor's Representations and Warranties.

         The Guarantor represents and warrants to the Lenders as to all matters
contained in Section 8.3 of the Participation Agreement insofar as the
representations and warranties contained therein are applicable to the Guarantor
and its properties, each such representation and warranty set forth in such
Section (insofar as applicable as aforesaid) together with all related
definitions and ancillary provisions, being incorporated into this Amendment by
reference as though specifically set forth in this Section 4.1, provided however
that for purposes of Section 8.3(dd) the address of the Guarantor is 1000 FORE
Drive, Warrendale, PA 15086.

         SECTION 4.2. Binding Effect. This Amendment constitutes a valid and
binding agreement of each of the parties hereto and each other Refinancing Loan
Document executed by Certificate 



                                     - 13 -
<PAGE>   15



Trustee, Lessee, each Lender and the Guarantor, when executed and delivered in
accordance with the Amended and Restated Term Loan Agreement, will constitute
valid and binding obligations of each of the parties thereto, enforceable
against each party in accordance with the respective terms thereof, except as
such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium and similar laws affecting the enforcement of
creditors' rights generally and by general equitable principles.


                                    ARTICLE V

                            MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

         SECTION V.1. Ratification of and References to the Participation
Agreement. This Amendment shall be deemed to be an amendment to the
Participation Agreement, and the Participation Agreement, as amended hereby, is
hereby ratified, approved and confirmed in each and every respect. All
references to the Participation Agreement in any Operative Document or any other
document, instrument, agreement or writing shall hereafter be deemed to refer to
the Participation Agreement as amended hereby.

         SECTION V.2. Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed by the
parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and
delivered shall be an original, but all such counterparts shall together
constitute but one and the same instrument.

         SECTION V.3. Captions. Section captions used in this Amendment are
inserted for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the construction
of this Amendment or any provisions hereof.

         SECTION V.4. Governing Law; Entire Agreement. THIS AMENDMENT AND EACH
OTHER OPERATIVE DOCUMENT EXECUTED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH SHALL GOVERNED BY AND
CONSTRUED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA WITHOUT REGARD TO
CONFLICT OF LAW PRINCIPLES. This Amendment and the other Operative Documents
executed in connection herewith constitute the entire understanding among the
parties hereto with respect to 



                                     - 14 -
<PAGE>   16



the subject matter hereof and supersede any prior agreements, written or oral,
with respect thereto.

         SECTION V.5. Make-Whole Premium. The parties hereto agree that a
Make-Whole Premium shall be payable to the Certificate Purchaser by the Trust in
all circumstances in which the Trust is obligated to pay a Make-Whole Premium to
the Tranche B Lender under the Amended and Restated Term Loan Agreement. Lessee
acknowledges that any Make-Whole Premium payable to the Tranche B Lender or the
Certificate Purchaser by the Trust shall be payable by Lessee to the Trust as
Supplemental Rent; provided, however, in no event shall a Make-Whole Premium be
payable as a result of an event described in Sections 15.1(a) or 15.1(b) of the
Lease and as provided in Section 2.3 of the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement
no prepayment penalty shall be payable for any prepayment on the Tranche A Loan.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                       INSTRUCTIONS TO CERTIFICATE TRUSTEE

         Mellon Financial Services Corporation #4, as Certificate Purchaser,
hereby authorizes and directs the Certificate Trustee to enter into, execute and
deliver each of the following agreements as of October 31, 1997.

         (a) Amendment No. 1 to the Participation Agreement;


         (b) First Amendment to Open End Mortgage and Security Agreement;


         (c) Amended and Restated Term Loan Agreement;


         (d) Tranche B Note, in substantially the form of Exhibit B to the
Amended and Restated Term Loan Agreement, for the amount advanced by the Tranche
B Lender, not to exceed the Tranche B Loan Commitment; and


                                     - 15 -
<PAGE>   17


         (e) a Tranche A Note, in substantially the form of Exhibit A to the
Amended and Restated Term Loan Agreement, in substitution of the Construction
Note, all in accordance with the Amended and Restated Term Loan Agreement;


         (f) all other documents, certificates and agreements in connection with
the transactions contemplated by the Refinancing; and to do all such things and
take all such actions as may be necessary or convenient to consummate the
transactions contemplated by the Refinancing, and to perform the terms and
conditions of the aforementioned documents and agreements.

         Lessee hereby consents to the execution, delivery and performance of
each of the aforementioned documents and agreements by the Certificate Trustee.

                           [THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE
                       HAS BEEN LEFT INTENTIONALLY BLANK]



                                     - 16 -
<PAGE>   18


         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this AMENDMENT NO. 1
TO THE PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT to be executed by their respective officers
thereunto duly authorized as of the day and year first above written.


                                    FORE SYSTEMS, INC.


                                    By      /s/ THOMAS J. GILL
                                        -----------------------------------
                                        Name:   Thomas J. Gill
                                        Title:  Chief Operating Officer



                                    WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY,
                                    not in its individual capacity, but     
                                    solely as trustee of
                                    BRUSH CREEK BUSINESS TRUST,

                                    By      /s/ ANN E. ROBERTS
                                        -----------------------------------
                                        Name:   Ann E. Roberts
                                        Title:  Senior Financial
                                                Services Officer



                                    MELLON FINANCIAL SERVICES CORPORATION #4

                                    By     /s/ STEPHEN R. VIEHE
                                        -----------------------------------
                                        Name:  Stephen R. Viehe
                                        Title: Vice President



                                    MELLON BANK, N.A.

                                    By     /s/ BRIAN CIAVERELLA
                                        -----------------------------------
                                        Name:  Brian Ciaverella
                                        Title: Vice President


                                     - 17 -

<PAGE>   1
                                                                   Exhibit 10.2


===============================================================================





                    AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO THE GUARANTY AGREEMENT


                          Dated as of October 31, 1997


                        (amending the Guaranty Agreement
                         dated as of December 13, 1995)


                                     between


                        FORE SYSTEMS HOLDING CORPORATION,

                                  as Guarantor


                    MELLON FINANCIAL SERVICES CORPORATION #4,

                               as Tranche B Lender

                                       and

                               MELLON BANK, N.A.,

                               as Tranche A Lender





================================================================================

<PAGE>   2





                    AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO THE GUARANTY AGREEMENT



     THIS AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO THE GUARANTY AGREEMENT dated as of October 31, 1997
(this "Amendment"), among FORE SYSTEMS HOLDING CORPORATION, a Delaware
corporation, as Guarantor (hereunder the "Guarantor"); MELLON FINANCIAL SERVICES
CORPORATION #4, a Pennsylvania corporation, as the Tranche B Lender (the
"Tranche B Lender"); and MELLON BANK, N.A., a national banking association
("Mellon"), as Tranche A Lender (the "Tranche A. Lender").


                              W I T N E S S E T H:


     WHEREAS, Lessor, the Tranche A Lender, the Tranche B Lender and the
Borrower intend to enter into a certain Amended and Restated Term Loan
Agreement, dated as of October 31, 1997 (the "Loan Agreement");

     WHEREAS, the Guarantor has duly authorized the execution, delivery and
performance of this Amendment; and

     WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of the Guarantor to execute this
Amendment inasmuch as the Guarantor will derive substantial benefits from the
transactions contemplated by the Refinancing Loan Documents;

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual terms and conditions herein
contained, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as
follows:


                                    ARTICLE I

                                   DEFINITIONS

     SECTION 1.1. Use of Defined Terms; Rules of Usage. Unless otherwise defined
or the context otherwise requires, terms for which meanings are provided in
Appendix I to the Participation Agreement (as amended by Amendment No. 1 to the
Participation Agreement, dated as of October 31, 1997) shall have such meanings
when used in this Amendment. The rules of interpretation set forth in Appendix I
to the Participation Agreement shall apply to this Amendment.

     SECTION 1.2. Certain Defined Terms. The following terms (whether or not
underscored) when used in this Amendment, including its preamble and recitals,
shall, except 



<PAGE>   3


where the context otherwise requires, have the following meanings
(such meanings to be equally applicable to the singular and plural forms
thereof):

     "Amendment" is defined in the preamble.

     "Amendment No. 1 to the Participation Agreement" means that certain
Amendment No. 1 to the Participation Agreement dated as of October 31, 1997
among FORE Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation, as Lessee, Guarantor and
Construction Agent; Wilmington Trust Company, not in its individual capacity,
except as expressly stated therein, but solely as trustee of Brush Creek
Business Trust, a Delaware business trust, as Lessor and Certificate Trustee;
Mellon Financial Services Corporation #4, a Pennsylvania corporation, as the
Certificate Purchaser and Tranche B Lender; and Mellon Bank, N.A., a national
banking association, as Construction Lender and Tranche A Lender.

     "Guaranty Agreement" means that certain Guaranty Agreement dated as of
December 13, 1995 is made by FORE Systems Holding Corporation, a Delaware
corporation, the Guarantor, in favor of Mellon Bank, N.A., as Construction
Lender (together with the various financial institutions which may from time to
time become lenders under the construction loan agreement referred to therein,
and in the event of a refinancing, the Tranche A Lender and the Tranche B Lender
and Mellon Financial Services Corporation #4, as Certificate Purchaser (together
with its successors and assigns in such capacity).

     "Participation Agreement" means that certain Participation Agreement dated
as of December 13, 1995, entered into by and among FORE Systems, Inc., a
Delaware corporation, as Lessee, Guarantor and Construction Agent; Wilmington
Trust Company, not in its individual capacity, except as expressly stated
therein, but solely as trustee of Brush Creek Business Trust, a Delaware
business trust, as Lessor and Certificate Trustee; Mellon Financial Services
Corporation #4, a Pennsylvania corporation, as the Certificate Purchaser; and
Mellon Bank, N.A., a national banking association, as Construction Lender.


                                   ARTICLE II

                                   AMENDMENTS

     SECTION 2.1. Amendment to Article I of the Guaranty Agreement.

     (a) The following definition contained in Section 1.1 of the Guaranty
Agreement is hereby amended and restated to read in its entirety as follows:

     "Obligations" means all of the following, in each case howsoever created,
arising or evidenced, whether direct or indirect, joint or several, absolute or
contingent, or now or hereafter existing, or due or to become due: all principal
of the Note, interest accrued thereon, the Certificate Amount, Certificate Yield
accrued thereon and all additional amounts and other sums at any time due and
owing, and required to be paid, to the Participants by the Certificate Trustee
under the terms of the Loan Agreement, the Note or any other Operative Documents
and, in the event of a Refinancing, to the Tranche A Lenders and the Tranche B
Lender under any 


<PAGE>   4


Refinancing Loan Document; provided however, except for the representations and
warranties of Guarantor provided herein, the liability of the Guarantor
hereunder shall be strictly limited to the amount of the collateral required to
be pledged by the Guarantor under (i) the Amended and Restated Pledge and
Security Agreement and (ii) Pledge and Security Agreement-B (Refinancing), as
applicable, from time to time; provided further, that the aggregate liability of
the Guarantor hereunder and Lessee under the Guaranty for the principal amount
of the Note outstanding at any time during the Interim Term guaranteed by this
Guaranty Agreement and the Guaranty shall not exceed 86.6% of the then
outstanding aggregate of the principal amount of the Note and the Certificate
Amount at such time; and provided further, that with respect to an exercise of
the Remarketing Option pursuant to Section 20.1 of the Lease, the amount
guaranteed under this Guaranty shall not exceed the aggregate amounts Lessee is
required to pay under the Lease and the other Operative Documents.


                                   ARTICLE III

                            MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

     SECTION 3.1. Ratification of and References to the Guaranty Agreement. This
Amendment shall be deemed to be an amendment to the Guaranty Agreement, and the
guaranty Agreement, as amended hereby, is hereby ratified, approved and
confirmed in each and every respect. All references to the Guaranty Agreement in
any Operative Document or any other document, instrument, agreement or writing
shall hereafter be deemed to refer to the Guaranty Agreement as amended hereby.

     SECTION 3.2. Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed by the parties
hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered
shall be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but
one and the same instrument.

     SECTION 3.3. Captions. Section captions used in this Amendment are inserted
for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the construction of this
Amendment or any provisions hereof.

     SECTION 3.4 Governing Law; Entire Agreement. THIS AMENDMENT AND EACH OTHER
REFINANCING LOAN DOCUMENT EXECUTED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH SHALL GOVERNED BY AND
CONSTRUED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA WITHOUT REGARD TO
CONFLICT OF LAW PRINCIPLES. This Amendment and the other Refinancing Loan
Documents executed in connection herewith constitute the entire understanding
among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede
any prior agreements, written or oral, with respect thereto.



                           [THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE
                       HAS BEEN LEFT INTENTIONALLY BLANK]



<PAGE>   5





     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment No. 1 to
the Guaranty to be executed by their respective officers thereunto duly
authorized as of the day and year first above written.


                                         FORE SYSTEMS HOLDING CORPORATION


                                         By:    /s/ THOMAS J. GILL
                                             ---------------------------------
                                             Name:  Thomas J. Gill
                                             Title: Treasurer



                                         MELLON FINANCIAL SERVICES
                                         CORPORATION NO. #4


                                         By:    /s/ STEPHEN R. VIEHE
                                             ---------------------------------
                                             Name:  Stephen R. Viehe
                                             Title: Vice President



                                         MELLON BANK, N.A.


                                         By:    /s/ BRIAN CIAVERELLA
                                             ---------------------------------
                                             Name:  Brian Ciaverella
                                             Title: Vice President



<PAGE>   1
                                                                    Exhibit 10.3




               AMENDED AND RESTATED PLEDGE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

         THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED PLEDGE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT, dated as of
October 31, 1997 (this "Agreement"), is made by FORE SYSTEMS HOLDINGS
CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the "Pledgor"), FORE Systems, Inc., a
Delaware corporation ("FORE"), MELLON BANK, N.A. (the "Tranche A Lender",
together with its successors and assigns from time to time, in its capacity as
secured party hereunder (the "Pledgee"), MELLON FINANCIAL SERVICES CORPORATION
#4 and MELLON BANK, N.A., as custodian (in such capacity, the "Custodian").
Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined in this Agreement have the
respective meanings specified in (i) Appendix 1 to that certain Participation
Agreement, dated as of December 13, 1995 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise
modified from time to time, the "Participation Agreement"), among FORE Systems,
Inc., Brush Creek Business Trust, a statutory Delaware business trust (the
"Trust") acting through Wilmington Trust Company, not in its individual
capacity except as expressly stated therein, but solely as Certificate Trustee,
Mellon Financial Services Corporation #4 and Mellon Bank, N.A.; and the rules
of interpretation stated in such Appendix 1 shall be applicable to this
Agreement and (ii) in the First Amendment to such Participation Agreement dated
as of October 31, 1997.

                             PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS

                                  (1)    The Tranche A Lender has entered
                                         into the Amended and Restated Term
                                         Loan Agreement, pursuant to which the
                                         Tranche A Lender has agreed to make
                                         the Tranche A Loan to the Trust, to be
                                         evidenced by the Tranche A Note, to
                                         provide the funds necessary to
                                         refinance a portion of the Note issued
                                         to Mellon Bank N.A. under the
                                         Construction Loan Agreement.

                                  (2)    Pledgor will deliver, or cause to be
                                         delivered from time to time, to the
                                         Custodian in accordance with the terms
                                         hereof and of that certain agreement
                                         between the Pledgor and the Custodian
                                         (the "Custody Agreement"), Pledged
                                         Property with a Collateral Value in an
                                         amount not less than the Collateral
                                         Requirement and at all


<PAGE>   2



                                         times until all obligations of the
                                         Guarantor and the Borrower created
                                         under the Refinancing Loan Documents,
                                         with respect to the Tranche A Loan,
                                         have been fully satisfied or discharged
                                         in accordance with the terms thereof,
                                         to maintain, or cause to be maintained
                                         from time to time, Pledged Property
                                         with the Custodian in an amount not
                                         less than the Collateral Requirement
                                         from time to time thereafter, for the
                                         purpose of securing all obligations of
                                         Pledgor, with respect to the Tranche A
                                         Loan, under the Guaranty Agreement, as
                                         amended, (whether for principal,
                                         interest or other amounts due and
                                         payable thereunder); provided, however,
                                         the maximum liability of the Pledgor
                                         hereunder and under the Guaranty
                                         Agreement (and of FORE under the
                                         Guaranty) is limited to Pledged
                                         Property required hereby to be pledged
                                         and the "Pledged Property" required to
                                         be pledged under the Pledge and
                                         Security Agreement-B (Refinancing),
                                         however such obligations are created,
                                         arising or evidenced, whether direct or
                                         indirect, joint or several, absolute or
                                         contingent, or now or hereafter
                                         existing, or due or to become due
                                         (including all amounts which would
                                         become due but for the operation of the
                                         automatic stay under Section 362(a) of
                                         the United States Bankruptcy Code, and
                                         the operation of Sections 502(b) and
                                         506(b) of the United States Bankruptcy
                                         Code) (all of the foregoing,
                                         collectively, the "Secured
                                         Obligations").

                                  (3)    Pledgor acknowledges and agrees that it
                                         will derive substantial benefits from
                                         the execution and delivery of this
                                         Agreement, and each of the Refinancing
                                         Loan Documents to which it is a party,
                                         and the transactions contemplated
                                         thereunder.

                                      -2-

<PAGE>   3


         NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt of
which is hereby acknowledged, the Pledgor, the Custodian and the Pledgee,
intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

SECTION 1. Pledge and Assignment. As collateral security for the due and
punctual payment of all of the Secured Obligations, the Pledgor hereby pledges,
assigns, conveys, transfers, delivers and grants to the Pledgee a security
interest in and continuing lien on all of the following property, whether now
owned or existing or hereafter acquired or arising, and wherever located
(collectively, the "Collateral"), subject to the terms and conditions contained
herein:

         (a)      the Collateral Account (as hereinafter defined) and all
                  moneys, funds, instruments, and securities, including,
                  Pledged Property, now in or from time to time credited to or
                  on deposit in the Collateral Account, including, all Pledged
                  Property deposited in the Collateral Account pursuant to
                  Sections 3 and 4(a) hereof;

         (b)      all interest, profit (whether of cash or securities) and
                  distributions of any of the foregoing; and

         (c)      all proceeds (as defined in the Uniform Commercial Code) of
                  the foregoing.

                  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or
in any other Refinancing Loan Document or in any Operative Document, Mellon
Bank N.A. (in its capacity as Pledgee under this Agreement) shall only have
rights in and to the Pledged Property until the repayment in full of the
Secured Obligations.

      SECTION 2. Collateral Account; Transfer of Collateral; Definitions.
(a)Concurrently herewith the Pledgor has established at the branch of the
Custodian located at Mellon Bank, N.A., One Mellon Bank Center, Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania 15259, a collateral account designated on the records of the
Custodian as "FORE Systems Holding Corp. Collateral Account, Mellon Bank, N.A.,
as Secured Party", account number 856-33508-9 (herein, together with any
substitution therefor, the "Collateral Account"). The Collateral Account shall
be segregated from any and all other accounts or other property of the Pledgor,
and subject to Section 4 hereof (with respect to permitted withdrawals) and
Section 7 hereof (with respect to investment at the direction of Pledgor), the
Pledgee shall have


                                      -3-


<PAGE>   4



sole dominion and control over the Collateral Account. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, so long as an Event of Default (as hereinafter
defined) has occurred and is continuing the Pledgee shall have the sole right
to make withdrawals from the Collateral Account. Except as expressly provided
in Section 4, until the Secured Obligations are paid in full, the Pledgor shall
have no right to make withdrawals from the Collateral Account or to otherwise
exercise any control with respect to any securities or other property from time
to time on deposit in or credited to the Collateral Account, or provide
substitute Collateral.

         (b) Intentionally Omitted.

         (c) The Pledgor shall deliver with any securities transferred
hereunder all appropriate undated bond powers, duly executed in blank and any
and all other forms related to transfer requested by the Custodian, completed
or executed so to make such transfer valid under applicable law and the rules
of any securities exchange or otherwise.

         (d) The Pledgor and the Pledgee agree to do or take all actions (or
omit from taking actions) in order to make all transfers contemplated hereby
valid under applicable law and the rules of any securities exchange or
otherwise.

         (e) (i) For the purpose of this Agreement, "Pledged Property" shall
mean Marketable Collateral and any undistributed Earnings thereon, delivered
and duly pledged in accordance with Section 1 and maintained in accordance with
Section 3.

             (ii) For the purpose of this Agreement, the "Collateral
Requirement" shall be an amount equal to the sum of the aggregate principal
amount outstanding from time to time under the Tranche A Notes plus all accrued
but unpaid interest on the entire outstanding principal amount thereof.

             (iii) For the purposes of establishing the Collateral Value of
Pledged Property held in accordance with Sections 1, 3 and 4a in the Collateral
Account, the term "Fair Market Value" shall mean, in the case of cash, the
amount of such cash, and otherwise, the market value of the applicable Pledged
Property as determined by reference to market quotes provided on the date of
valuation by Bloomberg Financial Market Service, or if such rate is
unavailable, by Interactive Data Services Inc., Telerate, Reuters and/or any
major daily financial publication such as the Wall Street Journal or The New
York Times.

             (iv) For the purpose of this Agreement "Collateral Value" shall
mean (i) in the case of cash, 100% of the amount of such cash, (ii) in the case
of a certificate of deposit issued

                                      -4-


<PAGE>   5

by Mellon Bank, 100% of the Fair Market Value, (iii) in the case of Pledged
Property, other than cash or a certificate of deposit issued by Mellon Bank
N.A., 90% of the Fair Market Value of the Pledged Property properly delivered
and perfected hereunder.

         SECTION 3. Maintaining Pledged Property; Additional Deposits to
Collateral Account. Subject to Section 4, the Pledgor shall maintain at all
times until the Secured Obligations have been fully satisfied and discharged in
accordance with the Refinancing Loan Documents Pledged Property having a
Collateral Value equal to the Collateral Requirement. All such Pledged Property
shall be unrestricted and shall not be subject to any Lien, except for the
Liens created by the Refinancing Loan Documents.

         SECTION 4. Valuation; Required Collateral Level; Substitutions and
Release. (a) On the first Business Day of each calendar month during the
Collateral Term, the Custodian shall determine the aggregate Collateral Value
of the Pledged Property in the Collateral Account. Such determination shall be
promptly furnished, in writing, to the Pledgor and the Pledgee. To the extent
the Collateral Value of the Pledged Property in the Collateral Account is less
than, at any time prior to the full satisfaction and discharge of the Secured
Obligations in accordance with the terms of the Refinancing Loan Documents, the
Collateral Requirement, the Pledgor promptly, but in any event within seven
days after receipt of notice of such determination, shall transfer Pledged
Property to such account in an amount equal to or exceeding the Collateral
Value shortfall amount so that the Collateral Requirement is maintained at all
times prior to the full satisfaction and discharge of the Secured Obligations
in accordance with the terms of the Refinancing Loan Documents. To the extent
the Collateral Value of the Pledged Property in the Collateral Account exceeds
the Collateral Requirement on the first Business Day of any calendar month
prior to the full satisfaction and discharge of the Secured Obligations in
accordance with the terms of the Refinancing Loan Documents and no Event of
Default (as hereinafter defined) or Default shall have occurred and be
continuing, the Pledgor may request the Pledgee, with a copy to the Custodian,
to release such excess Collateral to the Pledgor or upon its order or the order
of its designee, and the Pledgee shall release and direct the Custodian to
release such excess Collateral to the Pledgor or upon its order in accordance
with the release procedures set forth in Section 4(b) below.

         (b) During such time as Pledged Property is held in the Collateral
Account, upon delivery of prior notice to the Custodian, the Pledgor may, at
any time and so long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing, substitute for any Collateral subject to this Agreement, other
Pledged Property


                                      -5-


<PAGE>   6


having in the aggregate at least equivalent Collateral Value, and such
substitute Pledged Property shall be Collateral for all purposes hereunder. All
such substitute Pledged Property shall be deposited in and credited to the
Collateral Account, and shall be accompanied by proper instruments of
assignment and/or bond powers executed in blank or to the Pledgee by the
Pledgor in accordance with the instructions of the Pledgee. Collateral for
which the Custodian has received substituted Collateral to the extent permitted
hereunder or Collateral which is otherwise to be released in accordance with
4(a) above shall be promptly released by the Pledgee and shall be redelivered
and retransferred to the Pledgor or transferred to such Pledgor's account by
the Custodian upon the instructions of the Pledgor and shall be accompanied by
proper instruments of reassignment and/or bond powers (as appropriate) executed
by the Custodian (or its nominee) or the Pledgee, as applicable, as the Pledgor
shall direct, all at the expense of the Pledgor and without recourse,
representation or warranty by the Pledgee or the Custodian or any of their
nominees (except for the representation that the released Collateral is free
and clear of all Liens created by, through or under the Pledgee or the
Custodian).

         (c) The delivery of a written notice pursuant to clause (a) above by
the Pledgor to the Custodian, prior to effecting any sale, substitution, or
additional pledge of Collateral as contemplated by this Section 4(c) shall
constitute a representation and warranty by the Pledgor that, to Pledgor's
knowledge, no violation of the rules and regulations of the Federal Reserve
Board exists with respect to the Tranche A Loan and such sale, substitution or
pledge of Collateral will not result in a violation of any rule or regulation
of the Federal Reserve Board.

         SECTION 5. The Custodian. (a) The Pledgee hereby appoints the
Custodian as the Pledgee's agent (i) for retaining physical possession of any
cash included in the Collateral and any physical certificates or instruments or
other physical representation or evidence of any Collateral in accordance with
the provisions of this Agreement and (ii) for holding the interest of the
Pledgee in all book-entry securities in accordance with the provisions of this
Agreement.  All Collateral shall be in the Collateral Account and segregated
from all other property, including, without limitation, that of the Pledgor and
the Pledgee.  The Custodian hereby accepts such appointment.

         (b) The Custodian shall retain physical possession of the certificates
or instruments representing or evidencing the Collateral if the Collateral is
issued in physical form; provided that the Custodian may have such Collateral
credited to the Custodian's account at The Depository Trust Company ("DTC"). If
the Collateral is in book-entry form, the Collateral shall be (i)


                                      -6-


<PAGE>   7


credited to the Custodian or its nominee in the Custodian's account at DTC or
(ii) registered on the books of the issuer thereof in the name of the
Custodian.  The Custodian shall mark its books and records with respect to the
Collateral to indicate security interests of the Pledgee in the Collateral.
Certificated securities may be held (in the discretion of the Pledgee) in the
name of the Pledgor, endorsed or assigned in blank, or endorsed or assigned to
the Pledgee, the Custodian or DTC (or its nominee).

         (c) All book-entry obligations of the United States Government issued
in the form of an entry on the records of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York
shall be (1) identified on the records of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York
for the account of Mellon Bank, N.A. or its agent and (2) identified on the
records of Mellon Bank, N.A. as part of the Collateral Account. The Custodian
shall mark its books and records with respect to the Collateral to indicate the
security interests of the Pledgee in the Collateral.

         (d) In addition, subject to Section 7 hereof, the Custodian shall at
all times have the right to exchange certificates or instruments representing
or evidencing Pledged Property for certificates or instruments for Pledged
Property of smaller or larger denominations for any purpose consistent with its
performance of this Agreement; provided that the aggregate principal amount of
the certificates or instruments received upon such an exchange shall not be
less than the aggregate principal amount of the certificates or instruments
tendered for exchange.

         (e) The Custodian acknowledges receipt of this Agreement, certifies
that no notice of any other security agreement or claim affecting the
Collateral has been received by it, states that the Collateral will be held in
the Collateral Account for the benefit of the Pledgee and agrees to hold the
Collateral solely for the benefit of the Pledgee and subject to the control of
the Pledgee, as provided in this Agreement. The Custodian agrees to exercise
the same degree of care as exercised by banks generally for similar property in
exercising its duties under this Agreement. The duties of the Custodian under
this Agreement shall only be those set forth in this Agreement.

         SECTION 6. Interest, Distributions, etc. on Collateral. If, while this
Agreement is in effect, the Pledgor shall become entitled to receive or shall
receive any interest or other cash payments or property paid in respect of the
Pledged Property (to the extent such property or other proceeds, profits, or
other property is cash or is reduced to cash, the "Earnings") whether as an
addition to, in substitution of, or in exchange for any security included in
the Pledged Property, or otherwise, subject to Sections 4(a) and 4(b), the
Pledgor agrees to accept the same


                                      -7-

<PAGE>   8


as the Pledgee's agent and to hold the same in trust on behalf of and for the
benefit of Pledgee and to convert the same to Pledged Property, as necessary,
and to deliver the same forthwith to the Custodian with the endorsement of the
Pledgor when necessary and/or appropriate undated bond powers, duly executed in
blank, or to the Pledgee, as the Pledgee may direct, to be deposited in the
Collateral Account.

         SECTION 7. Investment of Collateral. (a) The Custodian shall invest
all moneys on deposit from time to time (including moneys on deposit upon the
sale or maturity of securities) in the Collateral Account so long as no Event
of Default or Default shall have occurred and be continuing, at the direction
of the Pledgor, in Pledged Property having an equal or greater Collateral Value
than the sold or matured security. Such investments, together with any interest
or other earnings resulting from such investments, shall be maintained in the
Collateral Account and shall be reinvested as provided in this paragraph. The
Custodian shall collect so much of the moneys payable on account of interest as
it is able to collect in the ordinary course and shall hold such interest in
the Collateral Account, provided that in no event shall the provisions hereof
impose on the Custodian the obligation to institute any collection proceedings,
judicial or otherwise, in respect of investments comprising the Collateral.
Neither the Custodian nor the Pledgee shall be liable or responsible for any
loss resulting from any such investments, except for any such loss resulting
from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such person.

         SECTION 8. Rights of the Custodian. Neither the Custodian nor the
Pledgee shall be liable for failure to collect or realize upon the Collateral,
or any part thereof, or for any delay in so doing nor shall any of them be
under any obligation to take any action whatsoever with regard thereto, except
for any such persons failure resulting from the gross negligence or wilfull
misconduct of such person. Any or all of the Collateral may, if an Event of
Default has occurred and is continuing, without notice, be registered in the
name of the Custodian or its nominee or the Pledgee or its nominee, if not then
so registered, and the Custodian or its nominee or the Pledgee or its nominee
may thereafter without notice, exercise all rights, privileges or options
pertaining to any of the securities included in the Collateral, if appropriate,
as if it were the absolute owner thereof, all without liability except to
account for property actually received by it, and the Pledgor shall execute and
deliver (or cause to be executed and delivered) to the Custodian all powers of
attorney, interest coupons and other instruments for the purpose of enabling
the Custodian to exercise the rights and powers which the Custodian is entitled
to exercise pursuant to this Section.

                                      -8-


<PAGE>   9


      SECTION 9. Application of Collateral by Custodian Prior to an Event of
Default. At the Maturity Date if the Lessee shall have elected to purchase the
Property pursuant to the Lease, so long as no Event of Default or Default shall
have occurred and be continuing the Custodian shall, upon 10 days written
notice from the Lessee and the Pledgor, liquidate the Pledged Property in the
Collateral Account and apply the proceeds to any purchase of the Property
pursuant to the Lease; provided, however, that the Custodian shall transfer the
proceeds of such Pledged Property only upon receipt of a certification of
Lessor stating that the Lessor has received or has made arrangements
satisfactory to it to receive in connection with any such purchase an amount
which, together with the proceeds of the Pledged Property, will be sufficient
to pay the Lease Balance.

      SECTION 10. Events of Default. Each of the following events shall
constitute an event of default under this Agreement (each, an "Event of
Default"):

            (a) The failure of Pledgor to pay, after three days prior written
       notice by means of invoice, the reasonable fees and expenses of the
       Custodian;

            (b) The failure of Pledgor to comply with any of the terms or
       provisions of this Agreement, which (except as provided in (a) above)
       failure shall have continued for a period of five (5) days after written
       notice to FORE or Pledgor; or

            (c) A Lease Event of Default, or Refinancing Loan Agreement Event
       of Default shall occur and be continuing.

       SECTION 11. Remedies upon Default. If an Event of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing, then the Pledgee shall have all the rights and
remedies of a secured party under the Uniform Commercial Code in effect in (the
"UCC") and other applicable law, and, in addition, the Pledgee, upon written
notice to FORE, may direct the Custodian from time to time to:

            (a) deliver and pay over all or any portion of the Collateral in
       the Collateral Account to the Pledgee, to be applied to satisfy accrued
       and unpaid Secured Obligations;

            (b) sell the Collateral, or any part thereof, at any public or
       private sale or on any securities exchange, for cash, upon credit or for
       future delivery, as the Pledgee shall deem appropriate. The Pledgee
       shall be authorized at any such sale to restrict the prospective bidders
       or purchasers to persons who will represent and agree that they are
       purchasing the Collateral for their own account for investment and not
       with a view to the distribution or sale


                                      -9-


<PAGE>   10


       thereof, and upon consummation of any such sale, the Pledgee shall have
       the right to assign and transfer and have the Custodian transfer and
       deliver to the purchaser or purchasers thereof the Collateral so sold.
       Each such purchaser at any such sale shall hold the property sold
       absolutely free from any claim or right on the part of the Pledgor and
       FORE, and each of the Pledgor and FORE hereby waives (to the extent
       permitted by law) all rights of redemption, stay and/or appraisal which
       it now has or may at any time in the future have under any rule or law
       or statute now existing or hereafter enacted. The Pledgee shall give the
       Pledgor at least ten (10) days' written notice of the Pledgee's
       intention to make any such public or private sale or sales at any
       broker's board or on any such securities exchange. Such notice, in case
       of public sale, shall state the time and place fixed for such sale. Any
       such public sale shall be held at such time or times within ordinary
       business hours and at such place or places, as the Pledgee may fix in
       the notice of such sale.  At any such sale, the Collateral, or portion
       thereof, to be sold may be sold in one sale as an entirety or in
       separate sales, as the Pledgee may (in its sole and absolute discretion)
       determine and the Pledgee may bid (which bid may be in whole or in part,
       in the form of cancellation of indebtedness) for and purchase for the
       account of the Pledgee the whole or any part of the Collateral. The
       Pledgee shall not be obligated to make any sale of Collateral if it
       shall determine not to do so, regardless of the fact that notice of sale
       of Collateral may have been given. The Pledgee may, without notice or
       publication, adjourn any public or private sale or cause the same to be
       adjourned from time to time by announcement at the time and place fixed
       for sale, and such sale may, without further notice, be made at the time
       and place to which the same was so adjourned.  In case a sale of all or
       any part of the Collateral is made on credit or for future delivery, the
       Collateral so sold may be retained by the Pledgee until the sale price
       is paid by the purchaser or purchasers thereof, but the Pledgee shall
       not incur any liability in case any such purchaser or purchasers shall
       fail to take up and pay for the Collateral so sold and, in case of any
       such failure, such Collateral may be sold again upon like notice; or

            (c) proceed by a suit or suits at law or in equity to foreclose the
       security interest granted under this Agreement and to sell the
       Collateral, or any portion thereof, pursuant to a judgment or decree of
       a court or courts of competent jurisdiction.

       In addition, the Pledgee shall have all of the rights granted to the
Pledgee under this Agreement upon the occurrence


                                      -10-

<PAGE>   11


of an Event of Default.

         FORE (but not the Pledgor) shall be liable for the deficiency if the
proceeds of any sale or other disposition of the Collateral are insufficient to
pay all amounts to which the Pledgee is entitled, and the fees and
disbursements of any attorneys employed by the Pledgee to collect such
deficiency.

         SECTION 12. Application of Proceeds of a Sale. The cash or proceeds of
sale of Collateral sold pursuant to Section 11 of this Agreement shall be paid
to the Pledgee until the Secured Obligations are paid in full; thereafter all
such proceeds shall be delivered to the Pledgor.

         SECTION 13. Conditions of Effectiveness. This Agreement shall become
effective when the Pledgee shall have received a counterpart of this Agreement
duly executed and delivered by Pledgor.

         SECTION 14. Disposition, etc. Without the prior written consent of the
Pledgee, the Pledgor agrees not to sell, assign, transfer, exchange, or
otherwise dispose of, or grant any option with respect to, the Pledged Property
held in the Collateral Account, except as provided in Section 4, and Sections
11 and 12, of this Agreement, nor will it create, incur or permit to exist any
Lien with respect to any of the Pledged Property held in the Collateral
Account, or any interest therein, or any proceeds thereof, except for the lien
and security interest provided for by this Agreement.

         SECTION 15. Exoneration; Indemnity. Neither the Custodian, the
Pledgee, nor any director, officer or employee of the Custodian or the Pledgee,
shall be liable to the Pledgor or FORE for any action taken or omitted to be
taken by them or any one of them, pursuant to this Agreement, except to the
extent arising from its or their own gross negligence or willful misconduct;
nor shall the Custodian or the Pledgee be responsible for the validity,
effectiveness or sufficiency hereof or of any document or security furnished
pursuant hereto or in connection herewith. The Custodian and the Pledgee shall
be entitled to rely on any communication, instrument or document believed by
them to be genuine and correct and to have been signed or sent by the proper
person or persons. FORE agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Custodian and
the Pledgee, and/or the directors, officers, employees, agents or nominees of
the Custodian or the Pledgee, from and against any and all liability incurred
by the Custodian or the Pledgee (or such agent or nominee) hereunder or in
connection herewith, except to the extent such liability shall be due to
willful misconduct or gross negligence on the part of the Custodian or the
Pledgee or such directors, officers, employees, agents or nominees. In
furtherance hereof, each of the Pledgor


                                      -11-


<PAGE>   12



and FORE acknowledges and agrees that the Custodian and the Pledgee may act on
the instructions of the Pledgor acting alone with respect to all matters
related hereto, including the receipt, release, transfer, substitution or
investment of any Collateral or the transfer of any amounts pursuant hereto.
Any liability of the Custodian and the Pledgee under this Agreement shall be
several and not joint.

         SECTION 16. The Pledgee Appointed Attorney-in-Fact. The Pledgor hereby
appoints the Pledgee and the Custodian, acting either individually or jointly,
as the Pledgor's attorney-in-fact for the purpose of carrying out the
provisions of this Agreement and taking any action and executing any instrument
which they may deem necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes hereof,
which appointment is irrevocable and coupled with an interest. Without limiting
the generality of the foregoing, both the Pledgee and the Custodian, acting
either individually or jointly, shall have the right and power to receive,
endorse and correct all checks, drafts and other orders for the payment of
money made payable to the Pledgor representing any interest payment or other
distribution payable or distributable in respect of the Collateral or any part
thereof and to give full discharge for the same.

         SECTION 17. Change of Custodian. No change in Custodian may occur
without the express written consent of the Pledgee and the Pledgor. The
Custodian may resign by giving thirty (30) days' notice to the parties to this
Agreement. The Pledgee may then appoint a successor Custodian with the prior
written consent of the Pledgor, which shall not be unreasonably withheld or
delayed, whereupon the successor Custodian shall succeed to the rights, powers
and duties of the Custodian.

         SECTION 18. No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies. No failure on the part of
Custodian or the Pledgee to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right,
power or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any
single or partial exercise of any such right, power or remedy by the Custodian
or the Pledgee preclude any other further exercise thereof or the exercise of
any other right, power or remedy. All remedies hereunder are cumulative and are
not exclusive of any other remedies provided by law or in equity.

         SECTION 19. Termination. This Agreement shall terminate on the payment
in full of the Secured Obligations and the payment of all other amounts owing
to the Tranche A Lender under the Refinancing Loan Documents, at which time the
Pledgee shall execute and deliver to the Pledgor an appropriate release and
shall reassign, retransfer and redeliver (or cause to be reassigned,
retransferred and redelivered) to the Pledgor, or to such person or persons as
the Pledgor shall designate, against

                                      -12-


<PAGE>   13


receipt, such of the Collateral pledged by the Pledgor as shall have not been
sold or otherwise applied pursuant to the terms hereof and shall still be held
by the Custodian pursuant to this Agreement, together with proper instruments
of reassignment and retransfer. Any such reassignment and retransfer shall be
without recourse, representation or warranty by the Pledgee or the Custodian
and shall be at the expense of the Pledgor (except for the representation that
the released Pledged Property is free and clear of all Liens created by,
through or under the Pledgee or the Custodian).

         SECTION 20. Notices. All communications and notices hereunder shall be
in writing, unless otherwise specifically provided herein, and delivered or
mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, registered or certified, return
receipt requested, by overnight courier, or by facsimile transmission, to the
address of the Pledgor (which shall be the same address as the address of FORE)
and Pledgee set forth in the Participation Agreement, or, as to each party, at
such other address as shall be designated by such party in a written notice to
the other parties hereto complying as to delivery with the terms of this
Section. All notices, requests, demands and other communications provided for
hereunder shall be effective upon deposit in the United States mail or upon
facsimile transmission during business hours.

         SECTION 21. Further Assurances; etc. Each of the Pledgor, Pledgee and
Custodian agrees to do such further acts and things, and to execute and deliver
such additional conveyances, assignments, agreements and instruments, including
the filing of any financing or continuation statements under the Uniform
Commercial Code in effect in any jurisdiction with respect to the security
interests created hereby as may be reasonably required to effect the terms and
provisions of this Agreement. The Pledgor also hereby irrevocably authorizes
the Pledgee to file any such financing or continuation statement, without the
signature of the Pledgor to the extent permitted by applicable law, as the
Pledgee may at any time reasonably request in connection with the
administration or enforcement of this Agreement in order better to assure and
confirm unto the Pledgee its rights, powers and remedies hereunder. The Pledgor
hereby consents and agrees that the issuers of or obligors in respect of the
Collateral or any registrar or transfer agent or trustees for any of the
Collateral shall be entitled to accept the provisions hereof as conclusive
evidence of the right of the Pledgee to effect any transfer pursuant to this
Agreement, notwithstanding any other notice or direction to the contrary
heretofore or hereafter given by the Pledgor or any other person to any of such
issuers or obligors or to any such registrar or transfer agent or trustees. The
Pledgor further covenants that it will defend the Pledgee's right, title and
interest in the Collateral, from time


                                      -13-

<PAGE>   14



to time pledged by the Pledgor, against the claims and demands of all
Persons.

         SECTION 22. Assignment. This Agreement, and the terms, covenants and
conditions hereof, shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the
parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns, except that neither
Pledgor nor Pledgee shall be permitted to assign this Agreement except in
connection with an assignment permitted under the Participation Agreement.

         SECTION 23. Amendments. Neither this Agreement nor any provisions
hereof may be amended, modified, waived or terminated, except by an instrument
in writing signed by a duly authorized officer of the Pledgee and the Pledgor.

         SECTION 24. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,
without regard to conflicts of law principles.

         SECTION 25. Costs, Expenses and Taxes. FORE agrees to pay on demand
all reasonable costs and expenses of, and all stamp and other taxes payable
(including any penalties) incurred by the Custodian or the Pledgee in
connection with the preparation, execution, delivery, administration and
enforcement of this Agreement.

         SECTION 26. Fees and Expenses of Custodian. The fees and expenses of
the Custodian shall be payable by FORE as set forth in a separate agreement
between the Custodian and FORE, which fees shall be those fees customarily
charged by custodians performing the foregoing services.

         SECTION 27. Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for
convenience only and shall not be deemed or construed to affect the meaning or
construction of any of the provisions of this Agreement.

         SECTION 28. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number
of counterparts, each of which, when executed and delivered, shall be deemed to
be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the
same instrument.

         SECTION 29. SUBMISSION OF JURISDICTION. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT
PERMITTED BY LAW, THE PLEDGOR, PLEDGEE AND CUSTODIAN HEREBY SUBMIT TO THE
EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE WESTERN
DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA AND ANY COURT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA FOR
PURPOSES OF ALL LEGAL PROCEEDINGS ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS
AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. THE PLEDGOR, PLEDGEE AND
CUSTODIAN IRREVOCABLY WAIVE, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ANY
OBLIGATION WHICH SUCH PARTY MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF THE VENUE
OF ANY SUCH PROCEEDINGS BROUGHT IN SUCH A COURT AND ANY CLAIM THAT ANY SUCH
PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN SUCH A COURT HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM.


                                      -14-

<PAGE>   15



         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this AMENDED AND
RESTATED PLEDGE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT to be duly executed by their duly
authorized officers on the dates specified below with effect from the date
first above written.

                                   FORE SYSTEMS HOLDING CORPORATION as Pledgor
Attest:

/s/ CHRISTOPHER H. GEBHARDT        By:     /s/ THOMAS J. GILL
- ----------------------------            -----------------------------
                                        Name:  Thomas J. Gill 
                                        Title: Treasurer


                                   FORE SYSTEMS, INC.
Attest:

/s/ CHRISTOPHER H. GEBHARDT        By:     /s/ THOMAS J. GILL
- ----------------------------            -----------------------------
                                        Name:  Thomas J. Gill 
                                        Title: Chief Operating Officer


                                   MELLON BANK, N.A.,
                                   as Pledgee
Attest:

/s/ FRANK LABARBERA                By:     /s/ BRIAN CIAVERELLA
- ----------------------------            -----------------------------
                                        Name:  Brian Ciaverella 
                                        Title: Vice President

                                   MELLON BANK, N.A.,
                                   as Custodian
Attest:

/s/ JEFFREY T. RECKER              By:    /s/ CHRISTINA HITCHINS
- ----------------------------            -----------------------------
                                        Name:  Christina Hitchins 
                                        Title: Officer


                                      -15-


<PAGE>   16





                                   MELLON FINANCIAL SERVICES CORPORATION #4

Attest:

/s/ MICHAEL J. TIESI               By:     /s/ STEPHEN R. VIEHE
- ----------------------------            -----------------------------
                                        Name:  Stephen R. Viehe 
                                        Title: Vice President



<PAGE>   17

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----
<S>         <C>                                                            <C>

SECTION 1.  Pledge and Assignment............................................-2-

SECTION 2.  Collateral Account; Transfer of Collateral; Definitions..........-3-

SECTION 3.  Maintaining Pledged Property; Additional 
            Deposits to Collateral Account...................................-4-

SECTION 4.  Valuation; Required Collateral Level; Substitutions and
            Release..........................................................-4-

SECTION 5.  The Custodian....................................................-5-

SECTION 6.  Interest, Distributions, etc. on Collateral......................-7-

SECTION 7.  Investment of Collateral.........................................-7-

SECTION 8.  Rights of the Custodian..........................................-7-

SECTION 9.  Application of Collateral by Custodian Prior to an Event of
            Default..........................................................-8-

SECTION 10. Events of Default................................................-8-

SECTION 11. Remedies upon Default............................................-8-

SECTION 12. Application of Proceeds of a Sale...............................-10-

SECTION 13. Conditions of Effectiveness.....................................-10-

SECTION 14. Disposition, etc................................................-10-

SECTION 15. Exoneration; Indemnity..........................................-10-

SECTION 16. The Pledgee Appointed Attorney-in-Fact..........................-11-

SECTION 17. Change of Custodian.............................................-11-

SECTION 18. No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies..................................-11-

SECTION 19. Termination.....................................................-11-

SECTION 20. Notices.........................................................-12-
</TABLE>

                                       i



<PAGE>   18

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----
<S>         <C>                                                            <C>
SECTION 21. Further Assurances; etc.........................................-12-

SECTION 22. Assignment......................................................-13-

SECTION 23. Amendments......................................................-13-

SECTION 24. Governing Law...................................................-13-

SECTION 25. Costs, Expenses and Taxes.......................................-13-

SECTION 26. Fees and Expenses of Custodian..................................-13-

SECTION 27. Headings........................................................-13-

SECTION 28. Counterparts....................................................-13-
</TABLE>

                                       ii


<PAGE>   1

                                                                   Exhibit 10.4



                  PLEDGE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT-B (REFINANCING)


     THIS PLEDGE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT-B (REFINANCING), dated as of October 31,
1997 (this "Agreement"), is made by FORE SYSTEMS HOLDINGS CORPORATION, a
Delaware corporation (the "Pledgor"), FORE Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation
("FORE"), MELLON FINANCIAL SERVICES CORPORATION #4 (the "Tranche B Lender"),
together with its successors and assigns from time to time, in its capacity as
secured party hereunder (the "Pledgee"), and MELLON BANK, N.A., as custodian (in
such capacity, the "Custodian"). Capitalized terms used but not otherwise
defined in this Agreement have the respective meanings specified in (i) Appendix
1 to that certain Participation Agreement, dated as of December 13, 1995 (as
amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the
"Participation Agreement"), among FORE Systems, Inc., Brush Creek Business
Trust, a statutory Delaware business trust (the "Trust") acting through
Wilmington Trust Company, not in its individual capacity except as expressly
stated therein, but solely as Certificate Trustee, Mellon Financial Services
Corporation #4 and Mellon Bank, N.A. and the rules of interpretation stated in
such Appendix 1 shall be applicable to this Agreement and (ii) in the First
Amendment to such Participation Agreement dated as of October 31, 1997.

                             PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS

                                    (1)     The Tranche B Lender has entered
                                            into the Amended and Restated Term
                                            Loan Agreement, pursuant to which
                                            the Tranche B Lender has agreed to
                                            make the Tranche B Loan to the
                                            Trust, to be evidenced by the
                                            Tranche B Note.

                                    (2)     Pledgor will deliver, or
                                            cause to be delivered from
                                            time to time, to the
                                            Custodian in accordance
                                            with the terms hereof and
                                            of that certain agreement
                                            between the 

<PAGE>   2


                                            Pledgor and the
                                            Custodian (the "Custody
                                            Agreement-B"), Pledged
                                            Property with a Collateral
                                            Value in an amount not less
                                            than the Collateral
                                            Requirement and at all
                                            times until all obligations
                                            of the Guarantor and the
                                            Borrower created under the
                                            Refinancing Documents, with
                                            respect to the Tranche B
                                            Loan, have been fully
                                            satisfied or discharged in
                                            accordance with the terms
                                            thereof, to maintain, or
                                            cause to be maintained from
                                            time to time, Pledged
                                            Property with the Custodian
                                            in an amount not less than
                                            the Collateral Requirement
                                            from time to time
                                            thereafter, for the purpose
                                            of securing all
                                            obligations, with respect
                                            to the Tranche B Loan under
                                            the Guaranty Agreement as
                                            amended (whether for
                                            principal, interest,
                                            Make-Whole Premium or other
                                            amounts due and payable
                                            thereunder); provided,
                                            however, the maximum
                                            liability of the Pledgor
                                            hereunder and under the
                                            Guaranty Agreement (and of
                                            FORE under the Guaranty) is
                                            limited to Pledged Property
                                            required hereby to be
                                            pledged and the "Pledged
                                            Property" required to be
                                            pledged under the Pledge
                                            and Security Agreement - A
                                            (Refinancing), however such
                                            obligations are created,
                                            arising or evidenced,
                                            whether direct or indirect,
                                            joint or several, absolute
                                            or contingent, or now or
                                            hereafter existing, or due
                                            or to become due (including
                                            all amounts which would
                                            become due but for the
                                            operation of the automatic
                                            stay under Section 362(a)
                                            of the United States
                                            Bankruptcy Code, and 



                                     - 2 -
<PAGE>   3


                                            the operation of Sections 502(b) and
                                            506(b) of the United States
                                            Bankruptcy Code) (all of the
                                            foregoing, collectively, the
                                            "Secured Obligations").

                                    (3)     Pledgor acknowledges and
                                            agrees that it will derive
                                            substantial benefits from
                                            the execution and delivery
                                            of this Agreement, and each
                                            of the Refinancing Loan
                                            Documents to which it is a
                                            party, and the transactions
                                            contemplated thereunder.

     NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which
is hereby acknowledged, the Pledgor, the Custodian and the Pledgee, intending to
be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:


SECTION 1. Pledge and Assignment. As collateral security for the due and
punctual payment of all of the Secured Obligations, the Pledgor hereby pledges,
assigns, conveys, transfers, delivers and grants to the Pledgee a security
interest in and continuing lien on all of the following property, whether now
owned or existing or hereafter acquired or arising, and wherever located
(collectively, the "Collateral"), subject to the terms and conditions contained
herein:

     (a)  the Collateral Account (as hereinafter defined) and all moneys, funds,
          instruments, and securities, including, Pledged Property, now in or
          from time to time credited to or on deposit in the Collateral Account,
          including, all Pledged Property deposited in the Collateral Account
          pursuant to Sections 3 and 4(a) hereof;

     (b)  all interest, profit (whether of cash or securities) and distributions
          of any of the foregoing; and

     (c)  all proceeds (as defined in the Uniform Commercial Code) of the
          foregoing.


                                     - 3 -
<PAGE>   4


     Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in any other
Refinancing Loan Document, or in any other Operative Document, Mellon Financial
Services Corporation #4 (in its capacity as Pledgee under this Agreement) shall
only have rights in and to the Pledged Property until the repayment in full of
the Secured Obligations.

     SECTION 2. Collateral Account; Transfer of Collateral; Definitions. (a)
Concurrently herewith the Pledgor has established at the branch of the
Custodian located at Mellon Bank, N.A., One Mellon Bank Center, Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania 15258, a collateral account designated on the records of the
Custodian as "FORE Systems Holding Corp. Collateral Account, Mellon Financial
Services Corporation #4, as Secured Party," account number 856-37247-9 (herein,
together with any substitution therefor, the "Collateral Account"). The
Collateral Account shall be segregated from any and all other accounts or other
property of the Pledgor, and subject to Section 4 hereof (with respect to
permitted withdrawals) and Section 7 hereof (with respect to investment at the
direction of Pledgor), the Pledgee shall have sole dominion and control over the
Collateral Account. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, so long as
an Event of Default (as hereinafter defined) has occurred and is continuing the
Pledgee shall have the sole right to make withdrawals from the Collateral
Account. Except as expressly provided in Section 4, until the Secured
Obligations are paid in full, the Pledgor shall have no right to make
withdrawals from the Collateral Account or to otherwise exercise any control
with respect to any securities or other property from time to time on deposit in
or credited to the Collateral Account, or provide substitute Collateral.

     (b) Intentionally Omitted.

     (c) The Pledgor shall deliver with any securities transferred hereunder all
appropriate undated bond powers, duly executed in blank and any and all other
forms related to transfer requested by the Custodian, completed or executed so
to make such transfer valid under applicable law and the rules of any securities
exchange or otherwise.

     (d) The Pledgor and the Pledgee agree to do or take all actions (or omit
from taking actions) in order to make all 



                                     - 4 -
<PAGE>   5


transfers contemplated hereby valid under applicable law and the rules of any
securities exchange or otherwise.

     (e) (i) For the purpose of this Agreement, "Pledged Property" shall mean
Marketable Collateral-B and any undistributed Earnings thereon delivered and
duly pledged in accordance with Section 1 and maintained in accordance with
Section 3.

         (ii) For the purpose of this Agreement, the "Collateral Requirement"
shall be an amount equal to 50% of the aggregate principal amount outstanding
from time to time under the Tranche B Notes; and if Lessee refinances or refunds
the Tranche A Loans in accordance with Section 3.8 of the Participation
Agreement, the "Collateral Requirement" shall be as of the date the Tranche A
Loan is repaid or assigned pursuant to Section 3.8 thereof an amount equal to
the sum of 50% of the aggregate principal amount outstanding from time to time
under the Tranche B Note plus an amount equal to the value of the Pledged
Property in the Collateral Account had Earnings not been distributed at any time
after the Refinancing Funding Date minus the value of the Pledged Property in
the Collateral Account on the date upon which the Tranche A Loan is refinanced
pursuant to Section 3.8 of the Participation Agreement (such amount shall be
calculated by FORE and will be verified by Mellon Bank N.A.)

         (iii) For the purposes of establishing the Collateral Value of Pledged
Property held in accordance with Sections 1, 3 and 4(a) in the Collateral
Account, the term "Fair Market Value" shall mean, in the case of cash, the
amount of such cash, and otherwise, the market value of the applicable Pledged
Property as determined by reference to market quotes provided on the date of
valuation by Bloomberg Financial Market Service, or if such rate is unavailable,
by Interactive Data Services Inc., Telerate, Reuters and/or any major daily
financial publication such as the Wall Street Journal or The New York Times.

         (iv) For the purpose of this Agreement "Collateral Value" shall mean
(i) in the case of cash 100% of the amount of such cash, (ii) in the case of a
certificate of deposit issued by Mellon Bank, 100% of the Fair Market Value, and
(iii) in the case of Pledged Property, other than cash and a certificate of
deposit issued by Mellon Bank, 90% of the Fair Market Value of the 



                                     - 5 -
<PAGE>   6


Pledged Property properly delivered and perfected hereunder.

     SECTION 3. Maintaining Pledged Property; Additional Deposits to Collateral
Account. Subject to Section 4, the Pledgor shall maintain at all times until the
Secured Obligations have been fully satisfied and discharged in accordance with
the Refinancing Loan Documents Pledged Property in the Collateral Account having
a Collateral Value equal to or greater than the Collateral Requirement. All such
Pledged Property shall be unrestricted and shall not be subject to any Lien,
except for the Liens created by the Refinancing Loan Documents. On the date, if
any, the Tranche A Loans are repaid or assigned pursuant to Section 3.8 of the
Participation Agreement, it is a condition precedent to such refinancing that
the Pledgor transfer and assign to the Collateral Account sufficient additional
Pledged Property so that the Collateral Value (after taking into account such
transfer) is at least equal to the new Collateral Requirement.

     SECTION 4. Valuation; Required Collateral Level; Substitutions and Release.
(a) On the first Business Day of each calendar month during the Collateral Term,
the Custodian shall determine the aggregate Collateral Value of the Pledged
Property in the Collateral Account. Such determination shall be promptly
furnished, in writing, to the Pledgor and the Pledgee. To the extent the
Collateral Value of the Pledged Property in the Collateral Account is less than,
at any time prior to the full satisfaction and discharge of the Secured
Obligations in accordance with the terms of the Refinancing Loan Documents, the
Collateral Requirement, the Pledgor promptly, but in any event within seven days
after receipt of notice of such determination, shall transfer Pledged Property
to such account in an amount equal to or exceeding the Collateral Value
shortfall amount so that the Collateral Requirement is maintained at all times
prior to the full satisfaction and discharge of the Secured Obligations in
accordance with the terms of the Refinancing Loan Documents. To the extent the
Collateral Value of the Pledged Property in the Collateral Account exceeds the
Collateral Requirement on the first Business Day of any calendar month prior to
the full satisfaction and discharge of the Secured Obligations in accordance
with the terms of the Refinancing Loan Documents and no Event of Default (as
hereinafter defined) or Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the
Pledgor may request the 



                                     - 6 -
<PAGE>   7


Pledgee, with a copy to the Custodian, to release such excess Collateral to the
Pledgor or upon its order or the order of its designee, and the Pledgee shall
release and direct the Custodian to release such excess Collateral to the
Pledgor or upon its order in accordance with the release procedures set forth in
Section 4(b) below.

     (b) During such time as Pledged Property is held in the Collateral Account,
upon delivery of prior notice to the Custodian, the Pledgor may, at any time and
so long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, substitute
for any Collateral subject to this Agreement, other Pledged Property having in
the aggregate at least equivalent Collateral Value, and such substitute Pledged
Property shall be Collateral for all purposes hereunder. All such substitute
Pledged Property shall be deposited in and credited to the Collateral Account,
and shall be accompanied by proper instruments of assignment and/or bond powers
executed in blank or to the Pledgee by the Pledgor in accordance with the
instructions of the Pledgee. Collateral for which the Custodian has received
substituted Collateral to the extent permitted hereunder or Collateral which is
to be otherwise released in accordance with 4(a) above shall be promptly
released by the Pledgee and shall be redelivered and retransferred to the
Pledgor or transferred to such Pledgor's account by the Custodian upon the
instructions of the Pledgor and shall be accompanied by proper instruments of
reassignment and/or bond powers (as appropriate) executed by the Custodian (or
its nominee) or the Pledgee, as applicable, as the Pledgor shall direct, all at
the expense of the Pledgor and without recourse, representation or warranty by
the Pledgee or the Custodian or any of their nominees (except for the
representation that the released Collateral is free and clear of all Liens
created by, through or under the Pledgee or the Custodian).

     (c) The delivery of a written notice pursuant to clause (a) above by the
Pledgor to the Custodian, prior to effecting any sale, substitution, or
additional pledge of Collateral as contemplated by this Section 4(c) shall
constitute a representation and warranty by the Pledgor that, to Pledgor's
knowledge, no violation of the rules and regulations of the Federal Reserve
Board exists with respect to the Tranche B Loan and such sale, substitution or
pledge of Collateral will not result in a violation of any rule or regulation of
the Federal 



                                     - 7 -
<PAGE>   8

Reserve Board.

     SECTION 5. The Custodian. (a) The Pledgee hereby appoints the Custodian as
the Pledgee's agent (i) for retaining physical possession of any cash included
in the Collateral and any physical certificates or instruments or other physical
representation or evidence of any Collateral in accordance with the provisions
of this Agreement and (ii) for holding the interest of the Pledgee in all
book-entry securities in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. All
Collateral shall be credited to the Collateral Account and segregated from all
other property, including, without limitation, that of the Pledgor and the
Pledgee. The Custodian hereby accepts such appointment.

     (b) The Custodian shall retain physical possession of the certificates or
instruments representing or evidencing the Collateral if the Collateral is
issued in physical form; provided that the Custodian may have such Collateral
credited to the Custodian's account at The Depository Trust Company ("DTC"). If
the Collateral is in book-entry form, the Collateral shall be (i) credited to
the Custodian or its nominee in the Custodian's account at DTC or (ii)
registered on the books of the issuer thereof in the name of the Custodian. The
Custodian shall mark its books and records with respect to the Collateral to
indicate security interests of the Pledgee in the Collateral. Certificated
securities may be held (in the discretion of the Pledgee) in the name of the
Pledgor, endorsed or assigned in blank, or endorsed or assigned to the Pledgee,
the Custodian or DTC (or its nominee).

     (c) All book-entry obligations of the United States Government issued in
the form of an entry on the records of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York
shall be (1) identified on the records of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York
for the account of Mellon Financial Services Corporation #4, or its agent and
(2) identified on the records of Mellon Bank, N.A. as part of the Collateral
Account. The Custodian shall mark its books and records with respect to the
Collateral to indicate the security interests of the Pledgee in the Collateral.

     (d) In addition, subject to Section 7 hereof, the Custodian shall at all
times have the right to exchange certificates or 



                                     - 8 -
<PAGE>   9


instruments representing or evidencing Pledged Property for certificates or
instruments for Pledged Property of smaller or larger denominations for any
purpose consistent with its performance of this Agreement; provided that the
aggregate principal amount of the certificates or instruments received upon such
an exchange shall not be less than the aggregate principal amount of the
certificates or instruments tendered for exchange.

     (e) The Custodian acknowledges receipt of this Agreement, certifies that no
notice of any other security agreement or claim affecting the Collateral has
been received by it, states that the Collateral will be held in the Collateral
Account for the benefit of the Pledgee and agrees to hold the Collateral solely
for the benefit of the Pledgee and subject to the control of the Pledgee, as
provided in this Agreement. The Custodian agrees to exercise the same degree of
care as exercised by banks generally for similar property in exercising its
duties under this Agreement. The duties of the Custodian under this Agreement
shall only be those set forth in this Agreement. Notwithstanding any other
provision contained herein, Pledgor, Pledgee and Custodian agree that Custodian
shall comply with entitlement orders originated by Pledgee with respect to any
or all of the Collateral, without further consent from Pledgor. Pledgee agrees
with and for the benefit of Pledgor, however, that Pledgee will not originate
any such entitlement orders except if an Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing or in order to release Collateral to Pledgor in accordance with the
terms hereof. Custodian also shall comply with entitlement orders originated by
Pledgor with respect to the Collateral to the extent provided herein. To the
extent that the Custody Agreement-B is inconsistent with this Pledge and
Security Agreement-B, this Pledge and Security Agreement-B shall control.

     SECTION 6. Interest, Distributions, etc. on Collateral. If, at any time on
or after the Tranche A Loan is assigned or repaid pursuant to Section 3.8 of the
Participation Agreement, the Pledgor shall become entitled to receive or shall
receive any interest or other cash payments or property paid in respect of the
Pledged Property (to the extent such property or other proceeds, profits, or
other property is cash or is reduced to cash, the "Earnings") whether as an
addition to, in substitution of, or in exchange for any security included in the
Pledged Property, or otherwise, subject to Sections 4(a) and 4(b) the 



                                     - 9 -
<PAGE>   10


Pledgor agrees to accept the same as the Pledgee's agent and to hold the same in
trust on behalf of and for the benefit of Pledgee and to convert the same to
Pledged Property, as necessary, and to deliver the same forthwith to the
Custodian with the endorsement of the Pledgor when necessary and/or appropriate
undated bond powers, duly executed in blank, or to the Pledgee, as the Pledgee
may direct, to be deposited in the Collateral Account.

     SECTION 7. Investment of Collateral. (a) The Custodian shall invest all
moneys on deposit from time to time (including moneys on deposit upon the sale
or maturity of securities) in the Collateral Account so long as no Event of
Default or Default shall have occurred and be continuing, at the direction of
the Pledgor, in Pledged Property having an equal or greater Collateral Value
than the sold or matured security. Such investments, shall be maintained in the
Collateral Account and shall be reinvested as provided in this paragraph. The
Custodian shall collect so much of the moneys payable on account of interest as
it is able to collect in the ordinary course and shall distribute the Earnings
upon the written request of the Pledgor, no more frequently than once per fiscal
quarter (unless an assignment or repayment of the Tranche A Loan is made under
Section 3.8 of the Participation Agreement, in which event such Earnings shall
be held in the Collateral Account, subject to Section 4), provided that in no
event shall the provisions hereof impose on the Custodian the obligation to
institute any collection proceedings, judicial or otherwise, in respect of
investments comprising the Collateral. Neither the Custodian nor the Pledgee
shall be liable or responsible for any loss resulting from any such investments,
except for any such loss resulting from the gross negligence or willful
misconduct of such person.

     SECTION 8. Rights of the Custodian. Neither the Custodian nor the Pledgee
shall be liable or responsible for any loss resulting from any such investments,
except for any such persons loss resulting from the gross negligence or willful
misconduct of such person. Any or all of the Collateral may, if an Event of
Default has occurred and is continuing, without notice, be registered in the
name of the Custodian or its nominee or the Pledgee or its nominee, if not then
so registered, and the Custodian or its nominee or the Pledgee or its nominee
may thereafter without notice, exercise all rights, privileges or 



                                     - 10 -
<PAGE>   11


options pertaining to any of the securities included in the Collateral, if
appropriate, as if it were the absolute owner thereof, all without liability
except to account for property actually received by it, and the Pledgor shall
execute and deliver (or cause to be executed and delivered) to the Custodian all
powers of attorney, interest coupons and other instruments for the purpose of
enabling the Custodian to exercise the rights and powers which the Custodian is
entitled to exercise pursuant to this Section.

     SECTION 9. Application of Collateral by Custodian Prior to an Event of
Default. At the Maturity Date if the Lessee shall have elected to purchase the
Property pursuant to the Lease, so long as no Event of Default or Default shall
have occurred and be continuing the Custodian shall, upon 10 days written notice
from the Lessee and the Pledgor, liquidate the Pledged Property in the
Collateral Account and apply the proceeds to any purchase of the Property
pursuant to the Lease; provided, however, that the Custodian shall transfer the
proceeds of such Pledged Property only upon receipt of a certification of Lessor
stating that the Lessor has received or has made arrangements satisfactory to it
to receive in connection with any such purchase an amount which, together with
the proceeds of the Pledged Property, will be sufficient to pay the Lease
Balance.

     SECTION 10. Events of Default. Each of the following events shall
constitute an event of default under this Agreement (each, an "Event of
Default"):

          (a) The failure of Pledgor to pay, after three days prior written
     notice by means of invoice, the reasonable fees and expenses of the
     Custodian;

          (b) The failure of Pledgor to comply with any of the terms or
     provisions of this Agreement, which (except as provided in (a) above)
     failure shall have continued for a period of five (5) days after written
     notice to FORE or Pledgor; or

          (c) A Lease Event of Default, or Refinancing Loan Agreement Event of
     Default shall occur and be continuing.

     SECTION 11. Remedies upon Default. If an Event of Default 



                                     - 11 -
<PAGE>   12


shall have occurred and be continuing, then the Pledgee shall have all the
rights and remedies of a secured party under the Uniform Commercial Code (the
"UCC") and other applicable law, and, in addition, the Pledgee, upon written
notice to FORE, may direct the Custodian from time to time to:

          (a) deliver and pay over all or any portion of the Collateral in the
     Collateral Account to the Pledgee, to be applied to satisfy accrued and
     unpaid Secured Obligations;

          (b) sell the Collateral, or any part thereof, at any public or private
     sale or on any securities exchange, for cash, upon credit or for future
     delivery, as the Pledgee shall deem appropriate. The Pledgee shall be
     authorized at any such sale to restrict the prospective bidders or
     purchasers to persons who will represent and agree that they are purchasing
     the Collateral for their own account for investment and not with a view to
     the distribution or sale thereof, and upon consummation of any such sale,
     the Pledgee shall have the right to assign and transfer and have the
     Custodian transfer and deliver to the purchaser or purchasers thereof the
     Collateral so sold. Each such purchaser at any such sale shall hold the
     property sold absolutely free from any claim or right on the part of the
     Pledgor and FORE, and each of the Pledgor and FORE hereby waives (to the
     extent permitted by law) all rights of redemption, stay and/or appraisal
     which it now has or may at any time in the future have under any rule or
     law or statute now existing or hereafter enacted. The Pledgee shall give
     the Pledgor at least ten (10) days' written notice of the Pledgee's
     intention to make any such public or private sale or sales at any broker's
     board or on any such securities exchange. Such notice, in case of public
     sale, shall state the time and place fixed for such sale. Any such public
     sale shall be held at such time or times within ordinary business hours and
     at such place or places, as the Pledgee may fix in the notice of such sale.
     At any such sale, the Collateral, or portion thereof, to be sold may be
     sold in one sale as an entirety or in separate sales, as the Pledgee may
     (in its sole and absolute discretion) determine and the Pledgee may bid
     (which bid may be in whole or in part, in the form of cancellation of
     indebtedness) for and purchase for the account of the Pledgee the whole or
     any part of the 



                                     - 12 -
<PAGE>   13


     Collateral. The Pledgee shall not be obligated to make any sale of
     Collateral if it shall determine not to do so, regardless of the fact that
     notice of sale of Collateral may have been given. The Pledgee may, without
     notice or publication, adjourn any public or private sale or cause the same
     to be adjourned from time to time by announcement at the time and place
     fixed for sale, and such sale may, without further notice, be made at the
     time and place to which the same was so adjourned. In case a sale of all or
     any part of the Collateral is made on credit or for future delivery, the
     Collateral so sold may be retained by the Pledgee until the sale price is
     paid by the purchaser or purchasers thereof, but the Pledgee shall not
     incur any liability in case any such purchaser or purchasers shall fail to
     take up and pay for the Collateral so sold and, in case of any such
     failure, such Collateral may be sold again upon like notice; or

          (c) proceed by a suit or suits at law or in equity to foreclose the
     security interest granted under this Agreement and to sell the Collateral,
     or any portion thereof, pursuant to a judgment or decree of a court or
     courts of competent jurisdiction.

     In addition, the Pledgee shall have all of the rights granted to the
Pledgee under this Agreement upon the occurrence of an Event of Default.

     FORE (but not the Pledgor) shall be liable for the deficiency if the
proceeds of any sale or other disposition of the Collateral are insufficient to
pay all amounts to which the Pledgee is entitled, and the fees and disbursements
of any attorneys employed by the Pledgee to collect such deficiency.

     SECTION 12. Application of Proceeds of a Sale. The cash or proceeds of sale
of Collateral sold pursuant to Section 11 of this Agreement shall be paid to the
Pledgee until the Secured Obligations are paid in full; thereafter all such
proceeds shall be delivered to the Pledgor.

     SECTION 13. Conditions of Effectiveness. This Agreement shall become
effective when the Pledgee shall have received a counterpart of this Agreement
duly executed and delivered by 


                                     - 13 -
<PAGE>   14


Pledgor.


     SECTION 14. Disposition, etc. Without the prior written consent of the
Pledgee, the Pledgor agrees not to sell, assign, transfer, exchange, or
otherwise dispose of, or grant any option with respect to, the Pledged Property
held in the Collateral Account, except as provided in Section 4, and Sections 11
and 12, of this Agreement, nor will it create, incur or permit to exist any Lien
with respect to any of the Pledged Property held in the Collateral Account, or
any interest therein, or any proceeds thereof, except for the lien and security
interest provided for by this Agreement.

     SECTION 15. Exoneration; Indemnity. Neither the Custodian, the Pledgee, nor
any director, officer or employee of the Custodian or the Pledgee, shall be
liable to the Pledgor or FORE for any action taken or omitted to be taken by
them or any one of them, pursuant to this Agreement, except to the extent
arising from its or their own gross negligence or willful misconduct; nor shall
the Custodian or the Pledgee be responsible for the validity, effectiveness or
sufficiency hereof or of any document or security furnished pursuant hereto or
in connection herewith. The Custodian and the Pledgee shall be entitled to rely
on any communication, instrument or document believed by them to be genuine and
correct and to have been signed or sent by the proper person or persons. FORE
agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Custodian and the Pledgee, and/or the
directors, officers, employees, agents or nominees of the Custodian or the
Pledgee, from and against any and all liability incurred by the Custodian or the
Pledgee (or such agent or nominee) hereunder or in connection herewith, except
to the extent such liability shall be due to willful misconduct or gross
negligence on the part of the Custodian or the Pledgee or such directors,
officers, employees, agents or nominees. In furtherance hereof, FORE
acknowledges and agrees that the Custodian and the Pledgee may act on the
instructions of the Pledgor acting alone with respect to all matters related
hereto, including the receipt, release, transfer, substitution or investment of
any Collateral or the transfer of any amounts pursuant hereto. Any liability of
the Custodian and the Pledgee under this Agreement shall be several and not
joint.

     SECTION 16. The Pledgee Appointed Attorney-in-Fact. The Pledgor hereby
appoints the Pledgee and the Custodian, acting 



                                     - 14 -
<PAGE>   15


either individually or jointly, as the Pledgor's attorney-in-fact for the
purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Agreement and taking any action
and executing any instrument which they may deem necessary or advisable to
accomplish the purposes hereof, which appointment is irrevocable and coupled
with an interest. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, both the
Pledgee and the Custodian, acting either individually or jointly, shall have the
right and power to receive, endorse and correct all checks, drafts and other
orders for the payment of money made payable to the Pledgor representing any
interest payment or other distribution payable or distributable in respect of
the Collateral or any part thereof and to give full discharge for the same.

     SECTION 17. Change of Custodian. No change in Custodian may occur without
the express written consent of the Pledgee and the Pledgor. The Custodian may
resign by giving thirty (30) days' notice to the parties to this Agreement. The
Pledgee may then appoint a successor Custodian with the prior written consent of
the Pledgor, which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, whereupon the
successor Custodian shall succeed to the rights, powers and duties of the
Custodian.

     SECTION 18. No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies. No failure on the part of
Custodian or the Pledgee to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right,
power or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any
single or partial exercise of any such right, power or remedy by the Custodian
or the Pledgee preclude any other further exercise thereof or the exercise of
any other right, power or remedy. All remedies hereunder are cumulative and are
not exclusive of any other remedies provided by law or in equity.

     SECTION 19. Termination. This Agreement shall terminate on the payment in
full of the Secured Obligations or the exercise and consummation of the
Remarketing Option by the Lessee pursuant to Article XX of the Lease, and the
payment of all other amounts owing to the Tranche B Lender under the Refinancing
Loan Documents, at which time the Pledgee shall execute and deliver to the
Pledgor an appropriate release and shall reassign, retransfer and redeliver (or
cause to be reassigned, retransferred and redelivered) to the Pledgor, or to
such person or persons as the Pledgor shall designate, against receipt, such of
the Collateral 



                                     - 15 -
<PAGE>   16


pledged by the Pledgor as shall have not been sold or otherwise
applied pursuant to the terms hereof and shall still be held by the Custodian
pursuant to this Agreement, together with proper instruments of reassignment and
retransfer. Any such reassignment and retransfer shall be without recourse,
representation or warranty by the Pledgee or the Custodian (except for the
representation that the released Pledged Property is free and clear of all Liens
created by, through or under the Pledgee or the Custodian) and shall be at the
expense of the Pledgor.

     SECTION 20. Notices. All communications and notices hereunder shall be in
writing, unless otherwise specifically provided herein, and delivered or mailed
by first-class mail, postage prepaid, registered or certified, return receipt
requested, by overnight courier, or by facsimile transmission, to the address of
the Pledgor (which shall be the same address as the address of FORE) and Pledgee
set forth in the Participation Agreement, or, as to each party, at such other
address as shall be designated by such party in a written notice to the other
parties hereto complying as to delivery with the terms of this Section. All
notices, requests, demands and other communications provided for hereunder shall
be effective upon deposit in the United States mail or upon facsimile
transmission during business hours.

     SECTION 21. Further Assurances; etc. Each of the Pledgor, Pledgee and
Custodian agrees to do such further acts and things, and to execute and deliver
such additional conveyances, assignments, agreements and instruments, including
the filing of any financing or continuation statements under the Uniform
Commercial Code in effect in any jurisdiction with respect to the security
interests created hereby as may be reasonably required to effect the terms and
provisions of this Agreement. The Pledgor also hereby irrevocably authorizes the
Pledgee to file any such financing or continuation statement, without the
signature of the Pledgor to the extent permitted by applicable law, as the
Pledgee may at any time reasonably request in connection with the administration
or enforcement of this Agreement in order better to assure and confirm unto the
Pledgee its rights, powers and remedies hereunder. The Pledgor hereby consents
and agrees that the issuers of or obligors in respect of the Collateral or any
registrar or transfer agent or trustees for 



                                     - 16 -
<PAGE>   17


any of the Collateral shall be entitled to accept the provisions hereof as
conclusive evidence of the right of the Pledgee to effect any transfer pursuant
to this Agreement, notwithstanding any other notice or direction to the contrary
heretofore or hereafter given by the Pledgor or any other person to any of such
issuers or obligors or to any such registrar or transfer agent or trustees. The
Pledgor further covenants that it will defend the Pledgee's right, title and
interest in the Collateral, from time to time pledged by the Pledgor, against
the claims and demands of all Persons.

     SECTION 22. Assignment. This Agreement, and the terms, covenants and
conditions hereof, shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties
hereto and their respective successors and assigns, except that neither Pledgor
nor Pledgee shall be permitted to assign this Agreement except in connection
with an assignment permitted under the Participation Agreement.

     SECTION 23. Amendments. Neither this Agreement nor any provisions hereof
may be amended, modified, waived or terminated, except by an instrument in
writing signed by a duly authorized officer of the Pledgee and the Pledgor.

     SECTION 24. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,
without regard to conflicts of law principles.

     SECTION 25. Costs, Expenses and Taxes. FORE agrees to pay on demand all
reasonable costs and expenses of, and all stamp and other taxes payable
(including any penalties) incurred by the Custodian or the Pledgee in connection
with the preparation, execution, delivery, administration and enforcement of
this Agreement.

     SECTION 26. Fees and Expenses of Custodian. The fees and expenses of the
Custodian shall be payable by FORE as set forth in a separate agreement between
the Custodian and FORE, which fees shall be those fees customarily charged by
custodians performing the foregoing services.

     SECTION 27. Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience
only and shall not be deemed or construed to 



                                     - 17 -
<PAGE>   18


affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions of this Agreement.

     SECTION 28. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which, when executed and delivered, shall be deemed to be
an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same
instrument.

     SECTION 29. SUBMISSION OF JURISDICTION. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY
LAW, THE PLEDGOR, PLEDGEE AND CUSTODIAN HEREBY SUBMIT TO THE EXCLUSIVE
JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF
PENNSYLVANIA AND ANY COURT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA FOR PURPOSES OF
ALL LEGAL PROCEEDINGS ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT AND
THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. THE PLEDGOR, PLEDGEE AND CUSTODIAN
IRREVOCABLY WAIVE, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ANY OBLIGATION WHICH
SUCH PARTY MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF THE VENUE OF ANY SUCH
PROCEEDINGS BROUGHT IN SUCH A COURT AND ANY CLAIM THAT ANY SUCH PROCEEDING
BROUGHT IN SUCH A COURT HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM.



                                     - 18 -
<PAGE>   19



     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this PLEDGE AND SECURITY
AGREEMENT-B (REFINANCING) to be duly executed by their duly authorized officers
on the dates specified below with effect from the date first above written.


                                   FORE SYSTEMS HOLDING CORPORATION
                                   as Pledgor
Attest:
/s/ CHRISTOPHER H. GEBHARDT        By:    /s/ THOMAS J. GILL
- ---------------------------            -----------------------------------
                                       Name:  Thomas J. Gill
                                       Title: Treasurer



                                   FORE SYSTEMS, INC.

Attest:
/s/ CHRISTOPHER H. GEBHARDT        By:    /s/ THOMAS J. GILL
- ---------------------------            -----------------------------------
                                       Name:  Thomas J. Gill
                                       Title: Chief Operating Officer



                                   MELLON FINANCIAL SERVICES CORPORATION #4
                                   as Pledgee
Attest:
/s/ MICHAEL J. TIESI               By:    /s/ STEPHEN R. VIEHE
- ---------------------------            -----------------------------------
                                       Name:  Stephen R. Viehe
                                       Title: Vice President


                                   MELLON BANK, N.A.,
                                   as Custodian
Attest:
/s/ JEFFREY T. RECKER              By:    /s/ CHRISTINA HITCHINS
- ---------------------------            -----------------------------------
                                       Name:  Christina Hitchins
                                       Title: Officer



                                     - 19 -
<PAGE>   20


                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        Page
                                                                                        ----
<S>         <C>                                                                         <C> 
SECTION 1.  Pledge and Assignment..........................................................2

SECTION 2.  Collateral Account; Transfer of Collateral; Definitions........................3

SECTION 3.  Maintaining Pledged Property; Additional Deposits to Collateral
                     Account...............................................................4

SECTION 4.  Valuation; Required Collateral Level; Substitutions and Release................4

SECTION 5.  The Custodian..................................................................6

SECTION 6.  Interest, Distributions, etc. on Collateral....................................7

SECTION 7.  Investment of Collateral.......................................................7

SECTION 8.  Rights of the Custodian........................................................8

SECTION 9.  Application of Collateral by Custodian Prior to an Event of Default............8

SECTION 10. Events of Default..............................................................8

SECTION 11. Remedies upon Default..........................................................9

SECTION 12. Application of Proceeds of a Sale.............................................10

SECTION 13. Conditions of Effectiveness...................................................10

SECTION 14. Disposition, etc..............................................................10

SECTION 15. Exoneration; Indemnity........................................................10
</TABLE>




                                       i
<PAGE>   21
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        Page
                                                                                        ----
<S>         <C>                                                                          <C> 

SECTION 16. The Pledgee Appointed Attorney-in-Fact........................................11

SECTION 17. Change of Custodian...........................................................11

SECTION 18. No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies................................................12

SECTION 19. Termination...................................................................12

SECTION 20. Notices.......................................................................12

SECTION 21. Further Assurances; etc.......................................................12

SECTION 22. Assignment....................................................................13

SECTION 23. Amendments....................................................................13

SECTION 24. Governing Law.................................................................13

SECTION 25. Costs, Expenses and Taxes.....................................................13

SECTION 26. Fees and Expenses of Custodian................................................13

SECTION 27. Headings......................................................................13

SECTION 28. Counterparts..................................................................14

SECTION 29. SUBMISSION OF JURISDICTION....................................................14
</TABLE>



                                       ii

<PAGE>   1
                                                                   Exhibit 10.5


                            CONFIRMATION OF GUARANTY


     This Confirmation of Guaranty dated as of October 31, 1997 (the
"Confirmation") is given by FORE SYSTEMS, INC, a Delaware corporation (the
"Guarantor") in favor of Mellon Bank, N.A., as the Tranche A Lender ("Mellon")
and Mellon Financial Services Corporation #4, a Pennsylvania corporation, as the
Tranche B Lender and the Certificate Purchaser ("Mellon #4"). Mellon and Mellon
#4, together with each of their respective successors and permitted assigns, are
referred to herein collectively as the "Funding Parties" and individually as a
"Funding Party").

     WHEREAS, pursuant to a Construction Loan Agreement dated as of December 13,
1995 (the "Construction Loan Agreement") between Wilmington Trust Company, not
in its individual capacity except as expressly provided therein, but solely as
Certificate Trustee (the "Certificate Trustee") of BRUSH CREEK BUSINESS TRUST, a
Delaware business trust (the "Trust") and Mellon, as Construction Lender, Mellon
made loans to the Trust for the purpose of constructing Improvements on the
Property; and

     WHEREAS, the Construction Loan Agreement contemplates that the construction
loans will be refinanced through a Refinancing made by the Tranche A Lender and
Tranche B Lender; and

     WHEREAS, the Guarantor, as Lessee, entered into a Lease Agreement and Open
End Mortgage dated as of December 13, 1995 (the "Lease") with the Trust, by
which the Lessee leases the Improvements; and

     WHEREAS, the Guarantor, pursuant to a Guaranty dated as of December 13,
1995 (the "Guaranty") guarantied to the Funding Parties the Obligations (as
defined in the Guaranty); and

     WHEREAS, the Tranche A Lender and Tranche B Lender are prepared to effect
the Refinancing pursuant to an Amended and Restated Term Loan Agreement dated as
of the date hereof amending and restating the Construction Loan Agreement (the
"Term Loan Agreement"), and as a condition thereto, each Funding Party has
requested that Guarantor confirm its guaranty of the Obligations under the
Guaranty.

     NOW, THEREFORE, the Guarantor, intending to be legally bound hereby,
affirms as follows: (i) the Guaranty remains in full force and effect, (ii) the
Guarantor consents to the execution and delivery of the Term Loan Agreement and
the other Refinancing Loan Documents by the Certificate Trustee on behalf of the
Trust, (iii) the Tranche A Loan and the Tranche B Loan are included within the
definition of Obligations under the Guaranty and (iv) the Guarantor recognizes
each of the Tranche A Lender and the Tranche B Lender as a Lender under the
Guaranty, entitled to the benefits thereof.

     Capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined herein have the
meanings specified in the Term Loan Agreement; and the rules of interpretation
set forth in the Term Loan Agreement shall apply to this Confirmation of
Guaranty.


<PAGE>   2



     In witness whereof, the Guarantor has executed this Confirmation for
Guaranty on the date and year first written above.

ATTEST:                                       FORE SYSTEMS, INC.



By:    /s/ CHRISTOPHER H. GEBHARDT            By:    /s/ THOMAS J. GILL
       ---------------------------                   --------------------------

Title: Secretary                              Title: Chief Operating Officer
       ---------------------------                   --------------------------

Name:  Christopher H. Gebhardt                Name:  Thomas J. Gill
       ---------------------------                   --------------------------



<PAGE>   1
                                                                    Exhibit 11.1

STATEMENT REGARDING COMPUTATION OF PER SHARE EARNINGS

PRIMARY EARNINGS PER SHARE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 THREE MONTHS ENDED                 SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                    September 30,                     SEPTEMBER 30,
                                           ---------------------------------    ---------------------------
                                                   1997            1996            1997           1996
                                           -----------------    ------------    ------------    -----------
<S>                                        <C>                  <C>             <C>             <C>
Weighted Average Common and Common
     Equivalent Shares:

Weighted Average Common Stock
     Outstanding During the Period                99,111,609      89,848,965      98,717,903     89,309,000

Weighted Average Common Equivalent
     Shares                                        3,408,077       6,082,222       2,790,815      7,040,703
                                           -----------------    ------------    ------------    -----------

                                                 102,519,686      95,931,187     101,508,718     96,349,703
                                           =================    ============    ============    ===========

Net income                                 $       6,969,000    $ 13,351,000    $ 11,952,000    $24,744,000
                                           =================    ============    ============    ===========

Net income per common share                $            0.07    $       0.14    $       0.12    $      0.26
                                           =================    ============    ============    ===========


FULLY DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 THREE MONTHS ENDED                 SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                    September 30,                     SEPTEMBER 30,
                                           ---------------------------------    ---------------------------
                                                   1997            1996            1997           1996
                                           -----------------    ------------    ------------    -----------
<S>                                        <C>                  <C>             <C>             <C>
Weighted Average Common and Common
     Equivalent Shares:

Weighted Average Common Stock
     Outstanding During the Period                99,111,609      89,848,965      98,717,903     89,309,000

Weighted Average Common Equivalent
     Shares                                        4,297,429       7,730,058       3,236,962      7,765,491
                                           -----------------    ------------    ------------    -----------

                                                 103,409,038      97,579,023     101,954,865     97,074,491
                                           =================    ============    ============    ===========

Net income                                 $       6,969,000    $ 13,351,000    $ 11,952,000    $24,744,000
                                           =================    ============    ============    ===========

Net income per common share                $            0.07    $       0.14    $       0.12    $      0.25
                                           =================    ============    ============    ===========
</TABLE>


<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                         153,709
<SECURITIES>                                   144,280
<RECEIVABLES>                                  109,219
<ALLOWANCES>                                     7,498
<INVENTORY>                                     61,226
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               518,885
<PP&E>                                          98,981
<DEPRECIATION>                                  39,392
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 578,474
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          101,232
<BONDS>                                              0
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                       416,474
<OTHER-SE>                                      60,768
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   578,474
<SALES>                                        205,078
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               205,078
<CGS>                                           90,378
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   90,378
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               102,883
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 18,110
<INCOME-TAX>                                     6,158
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             11,952
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    11,952
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.12
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.12
        

</TABLE>


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