Extreme Networks partners with NETGEAR, expands market reach

NOVEMBER 8, 2010 -- Extreme Networks Inc. and NETGEAR Inc. have entered into an OEM relationship enabling NETGEAR to respond to chassis-based network requirements within its midsized business and education markets. Under a new multi-year agreement, NETGEAR will add customized Extreme Networks BlackDiamond 8800 modular switches to its portfolio of smart networking tools.

Small and midsized enterprises are looking to benefit from the scale, reliability, features, and cost advantages of Ethernet connectivity for converged communications and Internet services to accelerate their business performance, says a spokesperson.

"Customers of all sizes are demanding more from their networks and NETGEAR's selection of our ExtremeXOS-powered modular switch delivers the performance required of today's dynamic enterprise," says Eileen Brooker, worldwide vice president, alliances and OEMs for Extreme Networks.

By adding select modular switching products from Extreme Networks, NETGEAR extends its network portfolio of 10GE Ethernet switches into the core of the network. The BlackDiamond 8800 platform is designed to deliver managed Layer 2/3 Gigabit and 10 GbE networking, simplicity, and network availability through the ExtremeXOS modular software foundation.

Shane Buckley, SVP and GM of NETGEAR's SMB Business Unit, says: "NETGEAR's network infrastructure offerings now reach from the network edge to the core, delivering a complete suite for the midsized enterprise."

Extreme Networks will provide certain chassis, management, and switching modules with its BlackDiamond 8800 modular switches to complement NETGEAR's suite of end-to-end networking, storage, and security solutions that serve the growing needs of enterprises. The relationship is a multi-year agreement through 2013 and shipments are expected to start early in calendar year 2011.