Extreme Networks Details Four Fast Methods to Boost Education Network Efficiency for the New School Year

SANTA CLARA, CA, Jul 06 (MARKET WIRE) --
As students and teachers enjoy a needed summer break, the next six weeks
is the time for network administrators to revitalize their network
infrastructure by fine-tuning security policy, boosting network
performance and creating energy efficient networks. Extreme Networks
(NASDAQ: EXTR) details four simple tips to improve the network within
K-12 school districts and college campus environments.

Optimized network connectivity supports advanced lesson plans that
integrate data, voice and video content over a secure, high-performance
network. The ability to achieve value with existing network infrastructure
saves time and resources while greatly improving the educational
experience of students and staff.

1. Review Security and Network Policy:

With the realization that today's students and staff are relying more on
life-streaming blogging applications such as Twitter and Facebook,
carrying iPhones, BlackBerries and traditional laptops that connect to
Ethernet networks over 802.11 Wi-Fi, the network is the backbone of these
institutions. By implementing the right settings, students' traffic and
behavior remain in control of the network administrator.

Implementing network policies, schools can better track and log reporting
for devices and users by username and MAC/IP address or separate sensitive
information from the Internet with the use of dynamic policy enforcement
and Virtual LANs (VLANs); or even remove offline sensitive data. With
these steps, the potential chaos from both managed and unmanaged devices
and user activities on the network can be reduced while essential online
educational activities thrive.

2. Ramp-Up Quality of Service

Converged networks offer increased levels of traffic, from voice, video
and data coming through the network. By leveraging centralized network
management and network automation via scripting to replicate one class of
settings across all network switches in one stroke, IT administrators can
truly increase operational efficiency of deployment and configuration
changes.

For example, Extreme Networks offers the "QoSConfig" script, via the
Widget Central website, to configure QoS settings across multiple sets of
Ethernet switches. Quality of service settings per network port is enabled
by establishing profiles with specific settings to deliver an intended
level of network service.

3. Powering Up and Down for Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency is a growing theme on school campuses and the network is
no different. Find network switches with intelligent settings for powering
down select ports so that connected IP handsets, IP cameras and similar
devices power down completely during off hours or during summer break.

4. Establish Redundancy

Lesson plans are incorporating digital presentation displays, Internet
connected white boards among other Web-based applications. This means that
network availability is essential. To ensure that classes go on without a
hitch, establish redundant network switches and connections, as well as
protecting fiber links with failover protocols. High performance Ethernet
edge switches should provide dual homed uplinks that allow for connections
to a redundant aggregation or core layer.

Additionally, network resiliency protocols, such as EAPS (RFC #3619),
should be supported to deliver sub 50 millisecond failover should a fiber
cable be cut or interrupted. This way, communications and data, as well
as class lessons, continue effortlessly.

To learn more about Extreme Networks high performance network solutions
for education, visit:

http://www.extremenetworks.com/solutions/highereducation.aspx

About Extreme Networks, Inc.

Extreme Networks provides converged Ethernet networks that support data,
voice and video for enterprises and service providers. The company's
network solutions feature high performance and high availability switching
that deliver insight and control enabling customers to solve their
real-world business communications challenges. Operating in more than 50
countries, Extreme Networks provides wired and wireless secure LANs, data
center infrastructure and Service Provider Ethernet transport solutions
that are complemented by global, 24x7 service and support. For more
information, visit: http://www.extremenetworks.com

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

For more information, contact:
Greg Cross
Extreme Networks Public Relations
408 579 3483
Email Contact

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