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  • 27 August 2010 10:01

Extreme Networks’ Direct Attach architecture delivers high performance and operational simplicity to VMWare environments

Extreme Networks and ecosystem partner Exar introduce data centre solution supporting VMware virtualisation environments

SYDNEY Aug. 27, 2010 -- Extreme Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ: EXTR) today announced that it is expanding support for its Direct Attach™ virtualised data centre network architecture for VMware environments. Working with its data centre ecosystem partner Exar, Extreme Networks will demonstrate the benefits of virtual machine switching moved back into the network.

The joint data centre solution for VMware features Exar’s X3100 10 Gigabit Ethernet Network Interface Card (10GbE NIC) and Extreme Network’s Summit® X650. It expands on Extreme Networks’ introduction of Direct Attach with its data centre product portfolio at Las Vegas Interop.

The Direct Attach data centre architecture, a Best of Interop finalist, features Extreme’s Networks implementation of virtual machine switching performed in the network rather than in servers. With this innovative approach, Direct Attach reduces network switching tiers by eliminating the virtual switch tier, and thus reduces cost, end–to-end latency, and security issues in the virtualised network while simplifying management.

"Using Direct Attach, Extreme Networks and Exar enable customers to utilise standard diagnostic and monitoring tools on virtualised networking traffic," said Rob Reiner, director of marketing, Datacom and Storage, for Exar. "This simplifies management, preserves investments in data centre equipment and reduces Total Cost of Ownership."

In addition, with Direct Attach, Extreme Networks eliminates the server-based virtual switch, thus reducing the number of switching elements by orders of magnitude as well as reducing the challenge of managing different virtual switch implementations being offered in the market. Extreme Networks’ technology breakthroughs with Direct Attach enable all VM traffic to be visible to the network, allowing uniform enforcement of SLAs, multi level security, and traffic management. Direct Attach makes this all possible.

“Direct Attach allows network administrators to leverage mature, well understood and fully capable network switches at wire speed for virtual machine switching, all while still maintaining the benefits of server virtualisation,” said Kevin Ryan, director of Data Centre Solutions Marketing for Extreme Networks. “We are pleased to welcome Exar and their X3100 10GbE NIC solution for VMware environments to the Direct Attach eco-system.”

Extreme Networks’ Direct Attach architecture, along with ecosystem partners such as Exar, enables uniform, network-based enforcement of security, compliance and regulatory policies in a hypervisor agnostic manner. Extreme Networks Direct Attach is available through a software feature pack with the ExtremeXOS® operating system and provides functionality across the entire data centre product portfolio, from the Summit® X450, to the Summit® X480, Summit X650 and BlackDiamond® 8800 series chassis switches.

The Extreme Networks/Exar data centre solution will be demonstrated at VMworld. Come see us at booth #1708.

Extreme Networks, Inc.

Extreme Networks provides converged Ethernet network infrastructure 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 centre 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’ distributor in Australia is Distribution Central (NetWorld Systems® business group). In New Zealand, distributors are Distribution Central and Ericsson NZ.

For more information

James Owens Regional Director, Australia and New Zealand Extreme Networks Phone: +61-2-8912 2405 Mobile: +61-430 166 691 Email: jowens@extremenetworks.com

David Frost PR Deadlines Pty Ltd, for Extreme Networks Phone: +61-2-4341 50221 or +61 (0) 408 408 210 Email: davidf@prdeadlines.com.au

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