As a supplier of fabric networking, Extreme offers a portfolio of Ethernet and IP fabric solutions. Whether to transform a campus, data center, metro, or WAN, Extreme Networks Wired Access - Switches (ExtremeSwitching) fabric technologies aim to ensure a faster, more flexible, and more secure foundation for businesses.
It works very well in environments where you need to stack multiple switches together for additional ports, while providing a single management IP to configure vs configuring numerous switches independently. Their vast portfolio has products that would be well suited for access switches, core switches, and distribution switches. For core/distribution, I would not use their cloud management platform however due to its limitations in options.
We have had a multitude of different back-end network switch equipment and the Netgear switches always are compatible in the traffic pattern and packet transmission with the back-end gear.
There hasn't been a single problem with the code or hardware that hasn't been resolved in a timely fashion. You get technicians who know the product and who will work with you to get things fixed. That being said, I never ran into a problem with Cisco tech support either. I love that both groups were willing to teach me as they fixed things.
I found Aruba equipment to be more expensive than Extreme [Ethernet Switches] and I just was not sold that they would perform better. In my opinion, you are paying a premium for the HPE Aruba brand. We've been using Extreme back when they were called Enterasys. They were pushing network boundaries for years even before Extreme bought them. I think Extreme [Ethernet Switches] are a better quality switch.
Many different brands have their pros and cons; it depends on the use case and the budget constraints of the project, and also the location. Determining the scope of the project and all the variables is crucial when evaluating which product to use and where. There is so much competition in this sector, and you make the best decision based on crunching all the data.
Extreme [Ethernet Switches] have a long-life. You can easily get 7 years in main production life depending on when you buy in the product life-cycle.
Extreme [Ethernet Switches] are expensive, no doubt, but we also don't have "weird" network problems or other issues with the network randomly going down.
If you use fabric connect switches then the ease of managing many switches is of no concern.
Rarely need to reboot or troubleshoot the SOHO switches.
Low cost for the functionality. For example, 8 port GB switches for $20 is a no brainer for a home environment that doesn't need vlans or more enterprise type features.
No negative impact on any environment I am aware of, however have not tested in a larger environment with multiple switches.