SANTA CLARA, Calif., Jan. 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Extreme Networks, Inc., (Nasdaq: EXTR) today announced an enhanced network architecture aimed at boosting performance in next-generation data centers and clouds by combining its Direct Attach^™ Virtual Machine (VM) switching with Multi-System Link Aggregation (M-LAG) to enable a new M-LAG Direct Attach architecture that addresses high-performance switching for virtualized environments.  

With the emergence of private and public cloud architectures, the networking infrastructure required to support virtualization and the VM mobility associated with shared and dynamic cloud-based resources has become overly complex due to outmoded network designs based on Spanning Tree. Extreme Networks M-LAG Direct Attach architecture addresses this complexity by significantly simplifying network design and scaling performance.

"Extreme Networks M-LAG Direct Attach data center architecture will greatly help IP-Only to scale services while ensuring redundancy within the network and data center," said Magnus Oberg, CEO for IP-Only, a premier service provider in Sweden. "With this ExtremeXOS® feature, we decrease complexity in the network compared to other solutions and scale to meet the needs of more demanding virtualized services."  

"Integrating the M-LAG Direct Attach architecture with Extreme Networks' data center portfolio serves as an important evolution of our Four Pillar data center strategy for migrating networks from physical to virtual to cloud," said Shehzad Merchant, senior director of strategy for Extreme Networks.  "For the majority of virtualized data center architectures, the M-LAG Direct Attach architecture eliminates the drawbacks of Spanning Tree while providing the benefits of TRILL (Transparent Interconnect of Lots of Links) without having complete disruption to the network and enormous capital expense."

With its high-performance data center solutions, the BlackDiamond® and Summit® switches running the ExtremeXOS® operating system, Extreme Networks now delivers a doubling of performance compared to traditional Spanning Tree architectures and provides a simpler, more cost-effective solution over pre-standard TRILL implementations – all of which would require a rip-and-replace of the existing network.  More information about Extreme Networks M-LAG Direct Attach architecture is available with its white paper.  

With the release of ExtremeXOS version 12.5, Extreme Networks enables software-loadable support for Direct Attach architecture, network-level support of Virtual Ethernet Port Aggregator (VEPA), and M-LAG across its portfolio of high-performance BlackDiamond modular switches and Summit fixed stackable switches. Extreme Networks Direct Attach architecture enables the removal of virtual switches from the network, increasing performance, reducing cost and greatly simplifying management of the virtualized environment.

About 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, Direct Attach, BlackDiamond, Summit, and ExtremeXOS are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Extreme Networks, Inc. in the United States and 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 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

CONTACT:  Gregory Cross, Worldwide Public Relations Manager, Extreme Networks, Inc., +1-408 579 3483,  gcross@extremenetworks.com

SOURCE Extreme Networks, Inc.