Extreme Networks: Networking Portfolio Review

Extreme Networks works to provide products that give companies cloud-driven networking solutions. 

As companies produce and rely on more data, networking is the critical backbone for how computers are linked to share data. Extreme Networks is a leader in the sector that is using a range of technologies to design and support modern networks: machine learning (ML), artificial intelligence (AI), analytics, and automation.

“We are committed to doing more to protect and advance the quality of life for our … customers, partners,” says Ed Meyercord, president and CEO, Extreme Networks.

See below to learn all about Extreme Networks and where they stand in the networking space: 

Review of Extreme Networks

• Extreme Networks and the networking market
• Extreme Networks networking portfolio
• Key benefits
• Use case
• Differentiators
• User reviews
• Industry recognition
• Conclusions

Extreme Networks and the networking market

The networking market has grown across many sub-sectors, including both software-defined networking (SDN) and cloud-driven networking.

The global SDN market is estimated to be $18.5 billion in 2022 and $36.2 billion by 2026, according to StrategyR.

The global cloud-driven networking market was valued at estimated $3.32 billion in 2019 and is projected to reach $14.61 billion in 2027, according to Fortune Business Insights. 

In fiscal year 2021, Extreme Networks’ net revenue was over $1 billion, up 6% year over year.

“We have seen enormous opportunity and growth within the cloud managed wired and wireless networking industry,” says Will Hopson, a senior territory manager, Extreme Networks.

In Extreme Networks’ 2021 annual report, the company highlights that through cloud-driven networking and automation, network administrators can scale how they provide “productivity, availability, accessibility, manageability, security, and speed, regardless of how distributed the network is.”

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Extreme Networks networking portfolio 

• One Network  
  • Wired platforms
    • Universal Switches
    • ExtremeXOS Switches
    • VSP Switches
  • Wireless platforms 
    • Universal APs (WiFi 6/6E APs)
    • Indoor/outdoor APs
    • Wireless controllers
  • Security 
    • ExtremeNAC 
    • Extreme SD-WAN
    • AirDefense
  • Fabric services
    • Fabric Connect 
• One Cloud
  • AIOps
    • ExtremeCloud IQ
    • ExtremeCloud IQ-Site Engine
    • ExtremeCloud IQ-Controller
  • Business insights
    • Extreme Analytics
    • Extreme Location 
    • Extreme Guest 
• One Extreme
  • Professional services
  • Maintenance services
  • Customer success

Key benefits 

Reduced security risk: with hyper-segmentation of network 

Increased savings: Extreme Networks reports traditional network infrastructure, operational, and admin savings up to 10% 

Improved support and problem resolution: Extreme reports that 94% of Extreme customer help calls are resolved by the network specialist who answers the call and co-locates support with engineering

Enhanced network intelligence: through the ability to have a 360-degree view of the network, users, devices, and applications

Use latest software: Universal hardware platforms allow customers to evolve deployment models by changing the software while using existing hardware

Use case 

Jackpot Junction Casino Hotel in Minnesota was in need of network management for their wireless networks and devices that are secure and compliant for gaming regulations. With the risk of outages and downtime, Jackpot Junction’s IT team needed to keep the casino up and running.

Nick Potter, director of IT, was aware the casino needed a new approach to their network management, including the need to automate processes and for visibility of their pain points to help the IT team handle the network demand and support guest services.

Potter decided that Extreme Networks could help with their problem. Adding the network management solution increases network uptime and enables the casino to keep up with the initiatives, including self-service guest kiosks. By future-proofing the latest gaming devices, the staff was also able to get easier access to tablets for the hotel and restaurant.

Jackpot Junction’s networking solution from Extreme included ExtremeSwitching, FabricConnect, and ExtremeCloud IQ. 

“It’s just kind of magic how you move a device and the Fabric recognizes it and routes it,” Potter says.

Jackpot Junction’s networking implementation by Extreme Networks also allowed the casino to support the Lower Sioux Native American community nearby with networking, including high-speed, secure connectivity for their government buildings, community center and health care facility.

Differentiators 

• Dynamic role-based policies: support scalable policy mechanism on wired and wireless devices for users, devices, and applications through the network
• Application hosting: run onboard applications alongside the switch operating system (OS), without impacting performance; provide network insight through on-board analytics applications; enable new network applications without the need for a separate hardware device
• Artificial intelligence (AI)/machine learning (ML)-driven insights: ongoing integration with ExtremeCloud IQ, offers ability to fine-tune the network, before issues become impact service
• Innovation: new networking ideas coming out of the company, according to various customers

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User reviews 

Users give mostly positive reviews to several Extreme Networks products, which are partly driven by AI:

VCS Fabric Architecture
Gartner Peer Insights: 4.6 out of 5

ExtremeSwitching 5420 Series
Gartner Peer Insights: 4.7 out of 5
G2: 4 out of 5
PeerSpot: 4.1 out of 5

ExtremeCloud IQ Site Engine
Gartner Peer Insights: 4.7 out of 5
G2: 3.9 out of 5
PeerSpot: 4.3 out of 5

Industry recognition

• CRN 2020 “Networking Products of the Year”: due to their “enhance insight, visibility, and control” in networking
• Gartner 2021 “Magic Quadrant for Enterprise Wired and Wireless LAN Infrastructure”: for their operations in distributed environments and delivering in-demand resources and capabilities 

• CRN 2021 “Top 10 Coolest New Networking Products”: due to a subsection of their ExtremeCloud IQ platform called ExtremeCoPilot

• CRN 2022 “Data Center 50”: one of the key players in the data center market.

• 2021 “IT Champion, Networking” by Computerwoche: for network infrastructure

Conclusions 

Extreme Networks helps companies establish their networks at the software level as well as the hardware level with switches and routers. With reported benefits such as reduced security risk and network-based savings, Extreme Network is a leading player in the growing networking market. 

“Our world is more reliant on technology than ever before, and as a technology company it is our duty to ensure we are making a positive impact,” says Katy Motiey, chief admin and sustainability officer, Extreme Networks.

A company looking for networking solutions to build out or upgrade a network can consider Extreme Networks as a provider with focused options.

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