LAS VEGAS, May 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Extreme Networks, Inc. (Nasdaq: EXTR) today announced new 10 gigabit Ethernet (GbE) copper modules for its BlackDiamond® X8 core switch and new copper versions of its Summit® X670 Top-of-Rack fixed data center switches. The new products can be viewed at the Interop Las Vegas tradeshow, booth #1851.

The Dell'Oro Group predicts in its most recent 5 year market forecast that 10GBase-T copper switches, as a ratio of global ports shipped, will become the primary choice for cloud and data center network upgrades in the next two years. Extreme Networks new high density copper switches are optimized to take advantage of servers based on the Intel® Xeon® Processor E5 Family and 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) LAN on motherboard (LOM)  devices.

"Investment protection is critical to new data center operators," said Huy Nguyen, senior director of product management at Extreme Networks. "Data center operators are always looking for ways to reuse cabling infrastructure, when upgrading their networks to 10 GbE.  Rip-and-replace is the last option for most data center operators. The new BlackDiamond X8 blade and Summit X670 copper switch allow data center customers to deploy the most cost-effective 10 GbE options using standard RJ45 copper jacks."

"Intel and Extreme Networks believe 10GBase-T copper switches will be a driver for cloud and data center upgrades because of their simplicity, backwards compatibility with one gigabit switches, and low-cost copper cabling," said Steve Schultz, director of marketing, Intel LAN Access Division. "We are committed to driving 10GbE adoption, and the new 10GBASE-T products from Extreme Networks will help with that evolution and serve as an excellent complement to our new 10GBASE-T controller, the Intel® Ethernet Controller X540."

Driving 10 GbE's adoption in virtualized data centers has been a focus of Extreme Networks since 2009, when the company began working with Intel on Ethernet switching for Intel server platforms; see Extreme-Intel white paper here.  The Intel® Ethernet Controller X540 is the industry's first single-chip, fully integrated 10GBASE-T controller and is designed for cost-effective, low power LOM and converged network adapters solutions. Extreme Networks offers Gigabit, 10 and 40 Gigabit Ethernet networking solutions for Layer 2/3 switching. These products can be used by data center and cloud operators in modular and fixed configurations.

The new Summit X670 switch will support 48-ports of wire-speed 10 GbE copper RJ45 with 40 GbE uplink capabilities and is expected to begin shipping this calendar year. The new BlackDiamond X8 copper blade will support 48-ports of wire-speed 10 GbE copper RJ45 with 384 total ports inside the chassis. In independent tests conducted in November by the Lippis Report, existing versions of the switch families were up to 10 times faster and used less half the power of other network vendors.  Wide adoption of 10GbE servers is important because it is expected to drive a new wave of 40GbE network upgrades for next generation data centers over time.

About Extreme Networks, Inc.
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 extremenetworks.com. 

Extreme Networks, the Extreme Networks logo, Summit and BlackDiamond are 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, and benefits of Extreme Networks 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

SOURCE Extreme Networks, Inc.