Axerra Networks and Extreme Networks Provide Solutions to Enable Multiservice Capabilities over Metro Networks.

Business Editors/High Tech Writers

SUPERCOMM 2002

Booth No. 24320

BOCA RATON, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 3, 2002

Axerra Joins ''Go Purple'' Program; Jointly Tested Solution

Changes the Business Equation for Metro Carriers

Axerra Networks, the leading developer of Multiservice over Internet Protocol (MSoIP(TM)) products, announced today it has joined Extreme Networks' Go Purple Solutions Partner(TM) program, extending the benefits of MSoIP to service providers that utilize IP and Ethernet technologies in Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs). Having successfully completed interoperability testing with Extreme Networks' Ethernet switching platforms, Axerra's MSoIP technology empowers metro providers to offer legacy services along with emerging Ethernet services.

The combination of Extreme Networks' Ethernet switching with Axerra's MSoIP benefits both incumbent and next-generation service providers by combining a jointly tested Metro network architecture to support the full spectrum of services. For example, MSoIP gives metro providers the means to offer legacy services such as TDM voice, Frame Relay, and leased-line data, together with emerging IP services. For the first time, these providers can offer the full complement of services that users demand and depend on. The full complement of services can furnish incremental revenue streams, allowing providers to demonstrate a more attractive business model, all while utilizing a single cost-effective, Ethernet-based transport.

Extreme Networks' Go Purple Solutions Partner program is designed to bring together a select group of vendors who are creating solutions that allow service providers to meet their objective of a flexible and robust network architecture based on IP. These interoperable and jointly tested solutions combine vendors' cutting edge products such as Axerra Networks' newly announced AXN100 and AXN800 Multiservice IP Concentrators.

"Axerra brings a unique solution to Extreme Networks' Go Purple Partner Program," said Paul De Zan, Vice President of Corporate Marketing, Extreme Networks. "The AXN Multiservice IP Concentrators, along with our Ethernet switching platforms, enable Metro carriers to expand their service portfolio by integrating high-margin legacy services - allowing them to generate new revenues, accelerate network utilization, and improve ROI."

"The combination of Extreme's high-performance, cost-effective Ethernet technology with Axerra's MSoIP is an exciting solution for today's service provider and is truly changing the business equation for Metro-Ethernet deployments," said Steve Byars, Vice President of Marketing at Axerra. "We are very pleased to be working with Extreme Networks to unlock the power of IP Metro networks."

MSoIP service adaptation capabilities have been designed from the outset to provide seamless interoperability with any existing equipment residing at the customer's premise, including PABXs, FRADs, CSU/DSUs, IADs, and IP routers. Such interoperability benefits the end user because no change-out is required for the enterprise equipment that is already deployed, nor is any change required in the configuration of the equipment or applications. This results in a key competitive advantage to the metro provider that can now offer his prospects an evolutionary migration to emerging IP services.

"In today's financial environment, providers must balance investment in even the most cost-effective technologies against the need to maintain profitability," said Ray Keneipp, Director of Networks & Telecom Strategy at The Burton Group. "The combination of Metro Ethernet and Multiservice enables carriers to cap investments in the older technologies and focus new investments in new technology while sustaining the continued growth of revenues from legacy services."

MSoIP is implemented in Axerra's line of AXN Multiservice IP Concentrators, a new class of product that supports all voice and data services over a unified metro network while furnishing the QoS, reliability, and security on which users rely. The AXN supports both legacy (leased line, Frame Relay, and circuit switched voice) and native IP (IPoFR, IPoPPP) services. Axerra has extended the benefits of its AXN product line to metropolitan area service providers and their customers with the introduction of the AXN100 and AXN800. The AXN100 Multiservice IP Concentrator is a small-footprint (1 rack unit) platform typically deployed as Customer-Located Equipment (CLE) at a remote site. The AXN100 is a low-cost, fixed-hardware configuration platform, with models available furnishing 8 fully channelized (to the DS0) T1/E1 customer-facing ports, 16 fully channelized T1/E1 ports, or a single fully channelized T3/E3 port. Models are available with Fast/Gigabit Ethernet and Packet over SONET (PoS)/OC-3c network uplinks. The AXN100 also furnishes eight 10/100 Ethernet ports which can be used as end-user access. The AXN800 affords a fully redundant, carrier-class architecture for service providers' smaller central offices and PoPs. The AXN800 utilizes the full line of modules and interfaces available for the company's AXN600 and AXN1600 concentrators, which are already in deployment.

Axerra's Multiservice IP Concentrators are available in a range of form factors for various service provider applications. The family of AXN Multiservice IP Concentrators will be displayed at the Axerra Networks booth (No. 24320) at Supercomm, June 4-6th in Atlanta, Georgia.

About Extreme Networks

Extreme Networks, Inc. delivers the most effective applications and service infrastructure by creating networks that are faster, less complex and more cost-effective than conventional solutions. Headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif., Extreme Networks sells it awarding-winning switching solutions in more than 50 countries. For more information, visit http://www.extremenetworks.com.

About Axerra Networks, Inc.

Established as Axerra Networks in November 2000, and located in Boca Raton, Florida, the Company develops, manufactures and markets products for the emerging market of Multiservice over IP. Axerra's Multiservice IP Concentrator is the only product on the market that gives carriers the ability to unlock the power of their IP networks by integrating legacy services, such as Frame Relay, ATM, and Leased Line, together with emerging IP services over unified IP, IP/MPLS, and Metro-Ethernet networks. For more information, please contact: [e-mail].

Extreme Networks is a registered trademark of Extreme Networks, Inc. in the United States and other countries.