SANTA CLARA, CA, Jan 14, 2009 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX News Network) -- Extreme Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ: EXTR) today announced that it gained market share in the third quarter of 2008 for Carrier Ethernet Switching Routing (CESR) products according to the latest research provided by leading analyst firm Heavy Reading. In their latest quarterly market report Extreme Networks rose to the #3 position behind Cisco and Alcatel-Lucent.

"The carrier Ethernet market is driven by a steady transformation, replacing expensive legacy technologies with Ethernet due to its flexibility, performance and price," said Stan Hubbard, industry analyst for Heavy Reading. "The recent growth of Extreme Networks market share reflects the success of their increased focus on the needs of the carrier market."

"Our carrier Ethernet business is really picking up steam," said Peter Lunk, senior director of service provider marketing for Extreme Networks. "The increased momentum is a validation of our efforts to help service providers lower their total cost of ownership and improve profitability with scalable, resilient and cost effective Ethernet transport networks. We are very pleased with our market share gain in CESR and look forward to helping our customers to more effectively build and operate networks supporting business, residential and mobile backhaul services."

Extreme Networks' portfolio of carrier solutions provides metro core, edge and aggregation Ethernet transport solutions. The recently unveiled BlackDiamond(R) 20808 switch is purpose-built for metro Ethernet transport networks, the culmination of over 10 years of Ethernet system design experience forged into Extreme Networks fifth generation solution. The BlackDiamond 20808 switch enables low total cost of ownership for metro Ethernet transport by slashing capital expenditures while minimizing operational expenditures. With a capacity of up to 64 line rate 10GE ports in a single system and a list price of under $5,800 per 10GE port, the BlackDiamond 20808 switch provides a dramatic reduction in provider capital expenditures. With a scalable metro Ethernet transport network capable of carrying more services at a lower cost, the BlackDiamond 20808 switch enables increased carrier profitability.

About Extreme Networks, Inc.

Extreme Networks provides converged Ethernet networks that support data, voice and video for enterprises and service providers. The company's network solutions feature high performance and high availability switching that deliver insight and control enabling customers to solve their real-world business communications challenges. 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.

Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release, including without limitation the performance, functionality and scalability of the BlackDiamond 20808 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, actual product performance, and use of the products in different environments and configurations. 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).

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

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

SOURCE: Extreme Networks, Inc.

http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/emailprcntct?id=A16EAA0E0B72B2C2

Copyright 2009 Market Wire, All rights reserved.

News Provided by COMTEX