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.
Manager, Corporate Services and Information Systems
Chose Extreme Networks Wired Access - Switches
Better support, better value overall, and an easy to navigate GUI. We have been using Notrel, the acquired by Avaya then acquired by Extreme and each iteration has built on a great platform and remains a very solid choice.
We upgraded to Extreme Switches from Cisco SG500 and SG250 small business switches. Extreme Switches offer a much easier to use GUI management platform called Extreme CloudIQ, which makes visibility into our network much easier and user friendly. Performance wise these …
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 …
Overall the Extreme's CLI is more intuitive that Cisco's. At a core networking perspective the two are probably equal in terms of performance. When we were last upgrading our infrastructure networking Cisco Sales were not as interested in us since we are (by their definition) …
Cisco switches and routers are good, but there is the "Cisco Tax" that you have to pay, along with the use of any non-Cisco branded SFPs blocking any tech support options until the non-Cisco device is removed. Extreme does not play that game. The switches also allow for two …
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.
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.
We upgraded to Extreme Switches from Cisco SG500 and SG250 small business switches. Extreme Switches offer a much easier to use GUI management platform called Extreme CloudIQ, which makes visibility into our network much easier and user friendly. Performance wise these offered higher uplink speed as well.
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.