Extreme Networks and Avaya Streamline Delivery of Engaged Network Solutions for the Public Sector

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Dec. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Extreme Networks Inc. , in collaboration with Avaya , a leading global provider of business communications applications, systems and services, along with members of the Avaya Global Partner Program, have become a premier source of engaged networks for public services organizations, including healthcare, education and state and local government. An engaged network provides intelligence, through insight and control, which is intrinsically woven into the enterprise's day-to-day operations and empowers them to adapt to changes in the operational, commercial and competitive landscape.

Cooperation between Avaya, Extreme Networks and leading technology integrators allows public services organizations to easily acquire intelligent, policy-based networks and layer advanced, converged voice and data applications to help provide better service to constituents while maximizing resources. These secure, highly reliable solutions have proven interoperability and can help public services organizations increase productivity, streamline processes, and lower costs through more efficient network and application management.

Extreme Networks helps these organizations simplify network operations, including the discovery of devices and to authenticate users coming on the network, with its innovative, Universal Port, a global policy management solution that integrates with Avaya's communication solutions. Universal Port is a powerful framework that incorporates open architecture and standards- based technologies to automate security and device discovery. Universal Port does so by utilizing Link Layer Discovery Protocol (LLDP) and strong 802.1x authentication that is supported with Avaya's IP handsets. This allows the network to auto-discover devices, respond to events and securely authenticate end devices on a per port basis with support for multiple supplicants on the same port. This simplifies and automates day-to-day operations, helping organizations to contain network management costs and secure the network.

Relational Technology Solutions (RTS), a national provider of technology solutions, leverages Avaya and Extreme Networks solutions to assist organizations in the public sector with their technology and convergence requirements.

"Our support of Avaya and Extreme Networks is a true benefit to public services customers because it allows us to deliver the most efficient, feature-rich and integrated IP communication solutions," said John Babcock, Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Converged Technologies Division of RTS. "Public services customers require technology that can reduce operational costs, and complete solutions that are open, secure and reliable. Along with Avaya and Extreme Networks, we are well established to continually deliver these benefits to healthcare, education and government organizations."

Western States Contracting Alliance Contract Eases Procurement

To further streamline the purchase process of its engaged network infrastructure by organizations in the public sector, Extreme Networks is included in the Western States Contracting Alliance (WSCA) contract, this makes the procurement of engaged data, wireless and security solutions both simple and streamlined for state agencies, local governments, schools and public utilities. The WSCA contract establishes pre-negotiated pricing and tested solutions including Extreme Networks BlackDiamond(R) and Summit(R) switches.

The Kansas City Board of Public Utilities has benefited from the WSCA contract as it continues to build an innovative Gigabit Ethernet network. "Extreme Networks provides effective data switching and having its solutions under the WSCA umbrella saves me a great deal of resources," said Paul Pauesick, manager of information technology for the Kansas City Board of Public Utilities. "With the WSCA and Extreme Networks, I don't have to process new RFPs and I gain an excellent range of solutions to meet my needs for a network capable of supporting advanced control functions, thus helping to keep our power grid stable with information that is easily accessed, whenever it is needed."

"Organizations in the public services market require increased innovation and robust business support from vendors as they scale their engaged networks to support IP phones and secure mobile communications," said Mike Seaton, vice president of strategic alliances for Extreme Networks. "Working with from Avaya, our reseller partners, and purchasing vehicles such as WSCA, we can truly bring new levels of value to customers in healthcare, education and government."

"Avaya and Extreme Networks are uniquely positioned to offer powerful and open communication solutions that are mission-critical for the public sector," said Kevin Cook, vice president, North America, Avaya. "By leveraging our reach, our advanced technology, and the expertise of our channel partners, we offer public sector customers solutions to boost their productivity and better allow them to capitalize on the value of information technology."

About Avaya

Avaya Inc. designs, builds and manages communications networks for more than one million businesses worldwide, including 90 percent of the FORTUNE 500(R). Focused on businesses large to small, Avaya is a world leader in secure and reliable Internet Protocol (IP) telephony systems and communications software applications and services. Driving the convergence of voice and data communications with business applications -- and distinguished by comprehensive worldwide services -- Avaya helps customers leverage existing and new networks to achieve superior business results. For more information visit the Avaya website: http://www.avaya.com/ .

Extreme Networks, Inc.

Extreme Networks designs, builds, and installs Ethernet infrastructure solutions that solve the toughest business communications challenges. Our commitment to open networking sets us apart from the alternatives by delivering meaningful insight and unprecedented control to applications and services. We believe openness is the best foundation for growth, freedom, flexibility, and choice. We focus on enterprises and service providers who demand high performance, converged networks that support voice, video and data, over a wired and wireless infrastructure.

Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release, including without limitation statements as to features, security, benefits, and integration of the products or the combined solution 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/ ).

NOTE: Extreme Networks, BlackDiamond, and Summit are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Extreme Networks, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries.