Extreme Networks Develops M-LAG Direct Attach Architecture

Extreme Networks introduced an "M-LAG Direct Attach" architecture aimed at scaling networks with highly virtualized clouds, increasing performance and eliminating Spanning Tree designs.



Extreme Networks is combining its Direct Attach Virtual Machine (VM) switching with Multi-System Link Aggregation (M-LAG) to enable the new M-LAG Direct Attach architecture that addresses high-performance switching for virtualized environments. The goal is to significantly simplify network design VM mobility by eliminating Spanning Tree protocol.

The new capabilities are delivered in ExtremeXOS version 12.5, which includes software-loadable support for Direct Attach architecture, network-level support of Virtual Ethernet Port Aggregator (VEPA), and M-LAG across BlackDiamond modular switches and Summit fixed stackable switches. Extreme Networks Direct Attach architecture enables the removal of virtual switches from the network.

"Integrating the M-LAG Direct Attach architecture with Extreme Networks' data center portfolio serves as an important evolution of our Four Pillar data center strategy for migrating networks from physical to virtual to cloud," said Shehzad Merchant, senior director of strategy for Extreme Networks. "For the majority of virtualized data center architectures, the M-LAG Direct Attach architecture eliminates the drawbacks of Spanning Tree while providing the benefits of TRILL (Transparent Interconnect of Lots of Links) without having complete disruption to the network and enormous capital expense." http://www.extremenetworks.com