LAS VEGAS, May 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Interop 2012 -- Extreme Networks (Nasdaq: EXTR) and QLogic (Nasdaq: QLGC) today announced that they have entered into a co-marketing agreement to work together to deliver a next-generation storage network solution for the data center.  The combined solution will allow data center operators to connect Ethernet networks to both Fibre Channel and Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) networks for a converged storage solution.

At the heart of the solution are Extreme Networks Open Fabric Architecture 10GbE and 40GbE network switches and QLogic® Fibre Channel and FCoE storage products. Working together, the products will allow customers to accelerate their storage deployments to a unified network fabric.

Extreme Networks and QLogic are delivering interoperable converged fabric, Fibre Channel and Ethernet solutions that include Extreme Networks BlackDiamond® and Summit®-series data center switches with QLogic 10GbE Converged Network Adapters (CNAs) as well as QLogic 5800 Series Fibre Channel switches and Universal Access Point™ UA5900 Series converged switches. Through its relationship with QLogic, Extreme Networks offers tested and documented reference architectures as a first phase of an overall go-to-market strategy. 

"Customer requirements to reduce costs are driving data center network convergence," said David Ginsburg, CMO for Extreme Networks. "Working with QLogic, a pioneer in the storage space, we look to put an end to the frustration customers often have with respect to FCoE by heightening levels of interoperability and performance."

"Developing a joint reference architecture that delivers FCoE and native 16Gb Fibre Channel, gives customers the option to deploy the right technology based on their unique requirements," said Chris Humphrey, vice president of Corporate Marketing for QLogic. "Data center deployments are pragmatic and this solution gives customers a way to implement converged data center networks more easily, at their own pace and at the right cost."

More Information

Visit: http://www.extremenetworks.com/solutions/datacenter_FCoE.aspx

Additionally, Show attendees can see the solution live at Interop Las Vegas at Extreme Networks booth: #1851

About Extreme Networks

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 http://www.extremenetworks.com

Extreme Networks, the Extreme Networks logo, Summit and BlackDiamond are either trademarks or 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 performance, timing and features of the 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.

SOURCE Extreme Networks