SANTA CLARA, Calif., April 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Extreme Networks, Inc. (Nasdaq: EXTR) today announced further expansion of its Open Fabric network architecture, extending the network edge to scale for multiple services and bring advanced capabilities driven by ExtremeXOS® to the network edge, where devices and users require innovation. The Open Fabric Edge enables Unified Communications (UC), Physical Security (PhySec) systems, Audio-Video Bridging (AVB), and WLAN on a single converged network. The solution offers increased scalability (1-40GbE), reliability, advanced services and customization through an open standards approach to lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for enterprises.

Extreme Networks is delivering new edge products, including switches, management and WLAN access points with enhancements to scale for the new challenges and benefits stemming from UC platforms.  The Open Fabric Edge solution meets the strategic imperative of IT to embrace virtualization, mobility and advanced services.

"Traditionally the enterprise edge architecture was about device connectivity, authentication and power over Ethernet, but with its Open Fabric Edge position, Extreme Networks is heightening the return on infrastructure investment with innovations contributing to availability, automation and task enablement that the market has experienced with cloud and data center networks," said Zeus Kerravala, principal analyst and founder of ZK Research. "ExtremeXOS serves as middleware across switches at each layer, brokering intelligence and communications for convergence, mobility and SDN."

Extreme Networks is now certified for operation with market leading collaboration platforms including qualification in the Network Infrastructure Optimization program for Microsoft Lync Server 2010. The network can support every aspect of UC, including VoIP desk phones, softphones, instant messaging and video collaboration. The Open Fabric Edge also offers more flexible and scalable network access architecture, delivering intelligent mobility for Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD).

"Both IT and end-users want the collaboration and flexibility benefits of an integrated and mobile experience, be it for a web conference, a phone call or video." said BJ Haberkorn, Director Product Marketing of Microsoft Lync. "With completion of the Lync qualification, Extreme Networks, with its Open Fabric solutions, has demonstrated a network solution that is highly capable to deliver converged services and keep users and communications connected. This promotes open technologies for convergence."

Third-party integration is achieved via the ExtremeXOS operating system, supporting OpenFlow technology on Summit switches and offering customization tools and interfaces that deliver automation and application enhancements in concert with the network.  

Boosting security with high performance devices, the Open Fabric Edge equips IT departments to more easily deploy high resolution cameras for PhySec in the access layer. The ExtremeXOS operating system offers tools, including new Chalet, an intuitive web-based GUI, to detect and provision IP-based cameras, using secure 802.1x authentication and QoS policies to ensure quality video.

With The Open Fabric edge, the network delivers the scale, performance and reliability that keep users connected, communicating and productive. Automation and network customization is enabled with the support of both programmable APIs, and SDN tools with OpenFlow and OpenStack. Additionally, new cost-optimized Summit X430 wired access switches and Altitude™ 4022 and 4522 Wireless LAN 802.11n APs allow for strategic cost-optimization deployments as the demands of the network increase.

Extreme Networks enterprise campus solution brings a range of choices and key functionality to mobilize enterprises and campus, and to respond to exploding data traffic from multiple devices and systems.

Highlights of the Open Fabric Edge Include:

• New Summit® X430 series switches that extend the intelligence and resiliency of the ExtremeXOS® network operating system to the converged access edge, enabling fine grained Quality of Service (QoS), high availability features and identity aware security in a compact, cost effective switch.
• New Summit X440 series switches include fiber optic interfaces on all ports to physically extend the network edge. Customers can now connect devices including cameras, phones, remote offices, and other switches at distances up to 70km from aggregation or core switches.
• Ridgeline^TM 4.0 Network and Service Management Software provides an updated graphical user interface to provide a single pane of glass view for switches, access points and wireless controllers.
• New Chalet is an intuitive web-based GUI for simplified PhySec operation designed for Axis Communication IP cameras management through an Extreme Networks switch.
• New Altitude 4022/4522 access points that lower the cost of deploying and operating a secure, reliable 802.11n wireless LAN (WLAN), and enables controller-less operations at small to medium sites by serving as a virtual controller and coordinating the operation of up to 24 neighboring access points for mobility and QoS services.
• ExtremeXOS modular operating system for high availability architecture with EAPS protocol to reduce network downtime for business continuity and access to mission-critical applications such as CRM, data warehouses and VoIP for carrier and voice grade networks.

About Extreme Networks

Extreme Networks is a technology leader in high performance Ethernet switching for cloud, data center and mobile networks. Based in Santa Clara, CA, Extreme Networks has more than 6,000 customers in more than 50 countries. For more information, visit the company's website at http://www.extremenetworks.com

Extreme Networks, Summit, the Extreme Networks logo, ExtremeXOS, Ridgeline and Altitude are trademarks or registered trademarks of Extreme Networks, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. All other names are the property of their respective owners.

Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release, including without limitation statements as to features, performance, benefits, and integration of the products or the combined solution are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date. Because such statements deal with future events, they are subject to risks and uncertainties, including network design and actual results of use of the product in different environments. We undertake no obligation to update the forward-looking information in this release. Other important factors which could cause actual results to differ materially are contained in the Company's 10-Qs and 10-Ks which are on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (http://www.sec.gov).

SOURCE Extreme Networks, Inc.