SANTA CLARA, CA, Aug 26, 2010 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX News Network) -- Extreme Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ: EXTR) today announced that it is expanding support for its Direct Attach(TM) virtualized data center network architecture for VMware environments. Working with its data center ecosystem partner Exar, Extreme Networks will demonstrate the benefits of virtual machine switching moved back into the network.

The joint data center solution for VMware features Exar's X3100 10 Gigabit Ethernet Network Interface Card (10GbE NIC) and Extreme Networks' Summit(R) X650. The joint solution expands on Extreme Networks introduction of Direct Attach with its data center product portfolio at Las Vegas Interop. The Direct Attach data center architecture, a Best of Interop finalist, features Extreme Networks' implementation of virtual machine switching performed in the network rather than in servers. With this innovative approach, Direct Attach reduces network switching tiers by eliminating the virtual switch tier, and thus reduces cost, end-to-end latency, and security issues in the virtualized network while simplifying management.

"Using Extreme Networks' Direct Attach architecture, and Exar's industry leading 10GbE NIC, optimized for virtualization, customers can utilize standard diagnostic and monitoring tools on virtualized networking traffic," said Rob Reiner, director of marketing, Datacom and Storage, for Exar. "This simplifies management, preserves investments in data center equipment and reduces Total Cost of Ownership."

In addition, with Direct Attach, Extreme Networks eliminates the server-based virtual switch, thus reducing the number of switching elements by orders of magnitude as well as reducing the challenge of managing different virtual switch implementations being offered in the market. Extreme Networks technology breakthroughs with Direct Attach enable all VM traffic to be visible to the network, allowing uniform enforcement of SLAs, multi level security, and traffic management. Direct Attach makes this all possible.

"Direct Attach allows network administrators to leverage mature, well understood and fully capable network switches at wire speed for virtual machine switching, all while still maintaining the benefits of server virtualization," said Kevin Ryan, director of Data Center Solutions Marketing for Extreme Networks. "We are pleased to welcome Exar and their X3100 10GbE NIC solution for VMware environments to the Direct Attach ecosystem."

Extreme Networks Direct Attach architecture, along with ecosystem partners such as Exar, enables uniform, network-based enforcement of security, compliance and regulatory policies in a hypervisor agnostic manner. Extreme Networks Direct Attach is available through a software feature pack with the ExtremeXOS(R) operating system and provides functionality across the entire data center product portfolio, from the Summit(R) X450, Summit(R) X480, Summit X650 fixed switches to the BlackDiamond(R) 8800 series chassis switches.

The Extreme Networks/Exar data center solution will be demonstrated at VMworld. Come see us at booth #1708.

Extreme Networks, Inc. Extreme Networks provides converged Ethernet network infrastructure that support data, voice and video for enterprises and service providers. The company's network solutions feature high performance, high availability and scalable switching solutions that enable organizations to address real-world communications challenges and opportunities. 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

Extreme Networks, Black Diamond, Summit, ExtremeXOS, and Direct Attach are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Extreme Networks, Inc. in the United States and 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 and benefits of the 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

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

SOURCE: Extreme Networks, Inc.

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