Lippis Report Tests Show that Extreme Networks BlackDiamond X8 is the Largest Capacity Cloud Switch

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Jan 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Extreme Networks®, Inc. (Nasdaq: EXTR) today announced further results of independent performance tests by Lippis Reports for the BlackDiamond® X8 modular switch. Recent tests at Ixia's state-of-the-art iSimCity testing facility demonstrated that the BlackDiamond X8 achieved lossless throughput performance when tested under cloud simulation conditions, superior energy efficiency to other products tested, and ultra-low latency. 

Under cloud network conditions, the Extreme Networks BlackDiamond X8 demonstrated 192 wire-speed 40GbE ports configured in in a full mesh. The switch performed remarkably with lossless throughput at 100% bi-directional capacity with the ports demonstrating the lowest latency of all 10 and 40 GbE modular switches tested, at 2.3 microseconds for 64 byte packets.

"The combination of ultra-low latency and power consumption on a platform that supports 768 10GbE or 192 40GbE scale is unprecedented," said Nick Lippis, chief industry analyst and publisher of the Lippis Report. "The BlackDiamond X8 is the largest capacity Ethernet switch tested and the full mesh test of 192 40GbE ports without a single packet lost is groundbreaking, setting a new performance standard in the network industry while paving the way for the cloud-based fabric architectures."

The BlackDiamond X8 Open Fabric switch offers the highest 10GbE and 40GbE port density to seamlessly support up to 768 wire-speed 10GbE connected servers in 1/3 of a 42 RU rack or 2,304 servers in a rack.

Ixia's Xcellon-Flex 10/40GE and 4x40GE high-density load modules were used to populate the BlackDiamond X8 switch with 192 ports of 40G line-rate traffic, while Ixia's IxNetwork application (running automated "QuickTests") measured traffic-forwarding performance and power consumption per industry-standard test methodologies. A special cloud simulation test validated traffic delivery using a mix of traffic flows commonly seen in today's virtualized data centers.

"Trends in virtualized data center traffic are driving higher performance expectations for both data center networks and vendor products," said Atul Bhatnagar, president and CEO of Ixia. "Ixia's advanced load modules and test applications, along with pre-defined "QuickTests," enable equipment manufacturers such as Extreme Networks to easily demonstrate city-scale performance under real-world conditions."

BlackDiamond X8 Test Highlights:

• 100% throughput with 0 packet loss as a percentage of line-rate across all 192 40GbE ports
• Lowest average latency of 2.3 microseconds for Layer 2 and Layer 3 traffic
• Up to half the power consumption of some competitors

To learn more about the BlackDiamond X8's unrivaled test performance and to view a video interview with Extreme Networks and Nick Lippis, visit the results page.

The BlackDiamond X8 is expected to be available in the first calendar quarter of 2012. 

About Extreme Networks, Inc.

Extreme Networks delivers networks for the mobile world. The company's open network solutions enable a seamless user experience providing a platform for improved business agility. From the converged mobile edge of enterprises to virtualized clouds, and from data centers to global carrier networks that backhaul mobile traffic, Extreme Networks' extensible services architecture, sets a foundation for mobility, identity awareness and faster performance to empower people and machines to connect and move seamlessly. Extreme Networks is headquartered in Santa Clara, California, with offices in more than 50 countries worldwide. For more information, visit: http://www.extremenetworks.com. 

Extreme Networks, the Extreme Networks logo, and BlackDiamond are registered trademarks of Extreme Networks, Inc. in the United States and/or 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 performance, timing and features of the BlackDiamond X8 product, 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

SOURCE Extreme Networks, Inc.