Extreme Networks Wired Access - Switches

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We are using Extreme Networks Wired Access - Switches for Core Routing as well as for Edge devices. These switches are 1GB switches as well as 10GB fibre switches. we are also using Extreme Networks Wired Access - Switches for WIFI 6 as well.

Likelihood to Recommend

Core routing is great. It is very resilient, stable and robust. Things are largely set it and forget it. There are very few instances where we are required to touch the back bone unless we need to make specific network changes. We are very happy with the solution.

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We use Extreme Ethernet Switches for our access switch infrastructure, which provides connectivity to our wireless access points, VoIP phones, workstations, etc. It provides reliable, fast, and an easy to manage ethernet switch solution. It especially allows our access points to have the power and speed required, thanks to 802.11at PoE and gigabit ports.

Likelihood to Recommend

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.

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

Extreme [Ethernet Switches] are used in all campus buildings for the entire organization. Edge switches are located in each IDF room and then all home run to an Extreme core switch in the main datacenter. The edge switches are in a stack which gives us redundancy. We also power the wireless access points via PoE. Extreme's network policy management allows us to control security access down to the individual port. The switches allow us different configuration options for how we want to implement network security.

Likelihood to Recommend

If you have a big environment with a lot of edge switch needs and department groups, then Extreme's fabric connect can save a lot of management time. If your environment is small then you may want to stick with the traditional model since fabric connect costs more. Also if you make lots of configuration changes all the time then fabric connect will be helpful. Otherwise, making an occasional change you don't need fabric connect.

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We're using it in multiple roles, Core Datacenter Network Switching; Office Distribution (LAN) Switching and Database Switching.

It is managed by 1 Team, but used across the whole org.

It solves the problems of solid ROI, scalability & redundancy. Also solved is the top notch support and interoperability with differing vendors.

Likelihood to Recommend

Situations that call for a networking switch that doesn't have (or need) all the bells and whistles. Excellent for core networking from layer 3 up. Good for straightforward vlanning, vlan tagging, QoS/CoS, and trunking. VRRP implementation is robust and reliable, although it does not always play nice with open-sourced implementations (like CARP) especially when competing for a shared channel.

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

The Extreme Ethernet Switches are being leveraged by the entire company. We use them in our core and our edge locations. This setup is advantageous since they leverage the same firmware, you don't need to know different commands to perform the work that you need. The firmware is true to its Linux roots and I love the fact that I can write scripts to be run within the firmware and it is supported.

Likelihood to Recommend

The Extreme Switch lineup is robust and capable. The hardware reliability is really high (with around 50 switches in the environment, I've only had 2 PSU's fail in 3 years and that was due to a lightning strike on the building). The support is capable and skilled and ready to work with you to make sure everything is fixed. We have our switches in the data center as well as remote ATMs in non-HVAC controlled environments and everything works great.

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

Four years ago, we upgraded our entire network to Extreme switches, Access Points, and controllers. It replaced an older outdated mixed network. We have been very satisfied with the uptime and performance

Likelihood to Recommend

I think that Extreme would fit in any environment