SANTA CLARA, CA, Apr 29, 2009 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX News Network) -- Extreme Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ: EXTR) today announced that its Ethernet solutions, including its BlackDiamond(R) Ethernet transport switches and certain Summit(R) Series Ethernet switches are now listed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development Telecommunications Program as acceptable for deployment by companies using USDA Rural Utilities Service (RUS) funding to build networks.

More than $7B in stimulus funding is allocated for broadband initiatives through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. Now carriers serving rural communities may apply for these government funds to build networks that include the Extreme BlackDiamond 20808, BlackDiamond 12800R, BlackDiamond 10808, Summit 250e, Summit 450 and ExtremeXOS(R) Network Operating System.

"Extreme Networks is a growing participant in the carrier Ethernet switch market," said Michael Howard, principal analyst and co-founder, Infonetics Research. "The acceptance of Extreme's new BlackDiamond 20808 switch into the RUS program is well timed to stimulate this growth given the government funding targeted at this market segment."

"By achieving RUS acceptance, Extreme Networks has made it simpler for regional and independent telephone companies in the United States to build next-generation networks," said Peter Lunk, senior director of service provider marketing. "This is an important step in our initiative to help rural carriers deliver highly scalable Ethernet transport solutions which provide the best value for deploying business, residential and mobile backhaul services."

USDA Rural Development's mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for rural residents. Rural Development fosters growth, finances business development, and supports creation of critical community and technology infrastructure. The Rural Development Telecommunications program provides loans and grants to support the extension of broadband networks into rural areas and to support distance learning and telemedicine initiatives.

For more information on the USDA RUS program, visit http://www.usda.gov/rus/telecom/index.htm.

About Extreme Networks, Inc.

Extreme Networks provides converged Ethernet networks that support data, voice and video for enterprises and service providers. The company's network solutions feature high performance and high availability switching that deliver insight and control enabling customers to solve their real-world business communications challenges. Operating in more than 50 countries, Extreme Networks provides wired and wireless secure LANs, data center infrastructure and Service Provider Ethernet transport solutions that are complemented by global, 24x7 service and support. For more information, visit http://www.extremenetworks.com.

Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release, including without limitation statements as to features and benefits of ExtremeXOS , BlackDiamond and Summit products 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

Copyright 2009 Extreme Networks, Inc. All rights reserved. Extreme Networks, ExtremeXOS, BlackDiamond and Summit are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Extreme Networks, Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

For more information, contact:
Extreme Networks Public Relations
Greg Cross
(408) 579 3483
Email Contact

SOURCE: Extreme Networks, Inc.

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