Extreme Networks, Inc. announced highly scalable 40 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) network solutions. The VIM3-40G4X adds four 40 GbE connections to the award-winning Summit(R) X650 Top-of-Rack stackable switches. The new module is fully compatible with the existing Summit X650 and Summit X480 stackable switches, preserving customers' investments while providing a smooth upgrade to greatly increased scalability of both virtualized and non-virtualized data centers.

"As data centers increase in server density through consolidation efforts and the use of virtualization, 40 GbE connectivity from the network core to Top-of-Rack switches becomes critical to providing the performance and scale required of the network," said Shehzad Merchant, senior director of strategy for Extreme Networks. "Furthermore, as servers move to native 10 GbE connectivity, the need for 40 GbE at the top-of-rack becomes even more acute."

Extreme Networks is demonstrating the VIM3-40G4X installed in a Summit X650 stackable switch in a "Top-of-Rack" configuration connected to the BlackDiamond(R) 8800 chassis with a four port 40 GbE module configured as the Data Center core. All of the industry-leading features of the ExtremeXOS(R) modular operating system, including Layer 2/Layer 3 forwarding, redundancy and resiliency features such as EAPS, and the ability to bond together multiple links, are implemented at 40 GbE speeds.

40 GbE is poised to become a data center infrastructure requirement, where it serves as an aggregation technology necessary to build data centers with high performance servers that are supporting virtualized services, video, storage and traditional applications.

Extreme Networks, Inc. Extreme Networks provides converged Ethernet network infrastructure that supports 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