SANTA CLARA, CA, Apr 19, 2010 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX News Network) -- Extreme Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ: EXTR) today announced its innovative "Direct Attach" architecture for data centers, a network architecture designed to bring virtual machine switching back into the network and out of the server.

Extreme Networks(R) Direct Attach(TM) data center architecture is an evolutionary approach that allows Virtual Machines (VMs) to be directly attached to the network without having to go through a full layer of software switching in the server. This approach to virtualized networks greatly simplifies management, monitoring and troubleshooting, while improving network performance in highly virtualized data center environments.

"While embedded virtual switches have enabled early server virtualization projects they can limit performance and increase complexity," said Joe Skorupa, research vice president, data center and transformation and security, at Gartner, Inc. "Emerging technologies like direct I/O and VEPA allow VM to VM switching to be implemented in hardware in the first physical switch, increasing performance and simplifying management."

Extreme Networks Direct Attach architecture moves VM switching out of the server and into network switches, delivering wire-speed, network-based switching to VMs while dramatically reducing the number of managed switches through the elimination of the virtual switch layer.

In addition, Extreme Networks Direct Attach architecture significantly simplifies management and troubleshooting by exposing inter-VM traffic to traditional, mature and well-understood networking tools, such as ACLs, firewalls and IDS.

Extreme Networks Direct Attach architecture will interoperate with emerging IEEE 8021.Qbg, providing an easy and seamless migration path for organizations in addition to built-in investment protection.

"Extreme Networks' Direct Attach architecture for virtual machine switching is a visionary step resulting in cost and performance benefits for the data center," said Shehzad Merchant, senior director of strategy for Extreme Networks. "Organizations can now transition their data center from a physical to a virtual model without fear of being locked into any proprietary technology, while realizing all the benefits of virtualization, and eliminating some of the most painful objections."

Extreme Networks Direct Attach architecture will be made available through a licensable ExtremeXOS(R) software module, ranging across Extreme Networks' portfolio of data center switching products. This includes fixed configuration stackable Summit(R) switches, including the Summit X450, Summit X480, Summit X650 and the BlackDiamond(R) 8800 modular switching platform.

Extreme Networks Direct Attach architecture was named a Finalist for Best of Interop, recognizing the best new products in the Virtualization category at Interop Las Vegas 2010.

Extreme Networks Direct Attach architecture is a critical element included in the Company's Four Pillar vision for the data center, enabling enterprises, managed hosting providers and cloud providers to seamlessly migrate from a Physical network to a Virtual network to Cloud environments.

Pricing and Availability Extreme Networks Direct Attach has a targeted release of third quarter via a licensable software module upgrade. The software module will be priced at $995 per Ethernet switch.

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, BlackDiamond, EPICenter, Summit and ExtremeXOS are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Extreme Networks, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries.

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

SOURCE: Extreme Networks, Inc.

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