Released on: September 25, 2008, 1:45 am

Press Release Author: Extreme Networks

Industry: Computers

Press Release Summary: Extreme Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ: EXTR) today introduced the
BlackDiamond® 20808 metro Ethernet transport switch, the flagship in its service
provider product portfolio. The BlackDiamond 20808 switch is the first
purpose-built metro Ethernet transport switch, delivering the industry-leading
combination of value, scale and performance for converged packet transport.


Press Release Body: Extreme Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ: EXTR) today introduced the
BlackDiamond® 20808 metro Ethernet transport switch, the flagship in its service
provider product portfolio. The BlackDiamond 20808 switch is the first
purpose-built metro Ethernet transport switch, delivering the industry-leading
combination of value, scale and performance for converged packet transport.

“Extreme Networks® Black Diamond 20808 switch is changing the game for Ethernet
transport in the metro with the right combination of density and scale,” said Eve
Griliches, Program Director for IDC’s telecom equipment group. "This is a terrific
introduction for Extreme Networks.” IDC’s Product Flash on the announcement notes
that they expect the Carrier Ethernet routing and switching market to reach well
over $7.6 billion with a 5-year CAGR of 17.5% by 2012.

The BlackDiamond 20808 switch raises the bar for scaling metro Ethernet transport
networks with the highest slot capacity in the industry – 120 Gbps per slot in an
8-slot system delivering 2 Tbps of switching capacity. This unmatched slot capacity
results in outstanding 10 Gigabit Ethernet (GE) port-density, with up to 64 10 GE
ports per chassis and 192 10 GE ports per rack. The BlackDiamond 20808 switch
fabric provides ample capacity for future high density, line-rate 40 GE and 100 GE
line-card upgrades.

The BlackDiamond 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
architecture is optimized for metro Ethernet performance with fully distributed
network processors that deliver line rate performance for a broad range of industry
standard and emerging protocols.

The BlackDiamond 20808 switch enables the lowest total cost of ownership for metro
Ethernet transport by slashing capital expenditures while minimizing operational
expenditures. With a list price of under $5,800 per 10 GE port the BlackDiamond
20808 switch provides a dramatic reduction in provider capital expenditures. And,
unlike router-based metro architectures which require complex provisioning by highly
trained engineers, operational expenses are reduced with the BlackDiamond 20808
switch thanks to the operational simplicity of Layer 2 solutions. With a scalable
metro Ethernet transport network capable of carrying more services at a lower cost,
the BlackDiamond 20808 switch enables increased carrier profitability.

“In order to drive better profitability, service providers are looking to increase
the average revenue per user while lowering the cost of delivering services,” said
Peter Lunk, Senior Director of Service Provider Marketing, Extreme Networks. “In
order to do that, they need an alternative to the complex and costly model of
extending MPLS to the edge. Ethernet transport is the clear choice for economical
metro packet delivery and the BlackDiamond 20808 switch at the metro core offers
the right mix of value, capacity, scalability and protocols to deliver more
profitable business, residential and mobile backhaul services.”

Pricing and Availability

The BlackDiamond 20808 metro Ethernet transport solution will be available in
December. List price for an entry level system is under U.S. $100,000.



Web Site: http://www.extremenetworks.com

Contact Details: Vinita Bhattacharjee
vinitab@2020india.com