SANTA CLARA, Calif. and SAN JOSE, Calif., Nov. 5, 2010 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Extreme Networks, Inc. (Nasdaq: EXTR) and NETGEAR®, Inc. (Nasdaq: NTGR), today jointly announced an OEM relationship enabling NETGEAR to respond to chassis-based network requirements within their midsized business and education markets. Under a new multi-year agreement, NETGEAR will add customized Extreme Networks® BlackDiamond® 8800 modular switches to its portfolio of smart networking solutions.

Small and midsized Enterprises are looking to benefit from the scale, reliability, features and cost advantages of Ethernet connectivity for converged communications and Internet services to accelerate their business performance.

By adding select modular switching products from Extreme Networks, NETGEAR extends its network portfolio of 10GE Ethernet switches into the core of the network. The BlackDiamond 8800 platform features price/performance leadership for managed Layer 2/3 Gigabit and 10 GbE networking, proven simplicity and network availability through its consistent and powerful modular software foundation, ExtremeXOS®.

"Customers of all sizes are demanding more from their networks and NETGEAR's selection of our ExtremeXOS-powered modular switch delivers the performance required of today's dynamic enterprise," said Eileen Brooker, Worldwide Vice President Alliances and OEMs for Extreme Networks. "This strong relationship between Extreme and NETGEAR is a testimonial to Extreme Networks flexibility and growing presence as a strategic product partner and innovative solutions provider."

"Today, with the addition of  the customized Extreme Networks BlackDiamond 8800 series modular switch to our existing business class products, NETGEAR further extends our portfolio of smarter solutions to IT departments who demand higher value and performance from their network infrastructure," said Shane Buckley, SVP and GM of NETGEAR's SMB Business Unit. "NETGEAR's network infrastructure offerings now reach from the network edge to the core, delivering a complete suite for the midsized enterprise."

Extreme Networks will provide certain chassis, management and switching modules with its award-winning BlackDiamond® 8800 modular switches to complement NETGEAR's suite of end-to-end networking, storage and security solutions that serve the growing needs of enterprises. The relationship is a multi-year agreement through 2013 and shipments are expected to start early in calendar year 2011.

NETGEAR, Inc.

NETGEAR (NASDAQGM: NTGR) is a global networking company that delivers innovative products to consumers, businesses and Internet service providers. For consumers, we make high performance, dependable and easy home networking, storage and digital media products to connect people with the Internet and their content and devices. For businesses, we provide networking, storage and security solutions without the cost and complexity of Big IT. NETGEAR also supplies all of the top Internet service providers with retail proven, whole home solutions for their customers. NETGEAR products are built on a variety of proven technologies such as wireless, Ethernet and powerline, with a focus on reliability and ease-of-use. NETGEAR products are sold in over 28,000 retail locations around the globe, and through more than 37,000 value-added resellers. The company's headquarters are in San Jose, Calif., with additional offices in 25 countries. NETGEAR is an ENERGY STAR® partner. More information is available at http://www.NETGEAR.com or by calling (408) 907-8000. Connect with NETGEAR at http://twitter.com/NETGEAR and http://www.facebook.com/NETGEAR.

Extreme Networks, Inc.

Extreme Networks provides converged Ethernet network infrastructures 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, the Extreme Networks logo, ExtremeXOS and BlackDiamond are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Extreme Networks, Inc. in Europe, the United States and other countries. All other names and marks 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 the timing and benefits of the customized product  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.