Extreme Selects Agere Programmable Networking Chips for 10 Gbit Ethernet Modules

ALLENTOWN, PA -- Agere Systems (NYSE: AGR.A), a world leader in communications components, today announced that Extreme Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ: EXTR) has selected Agere's 10 gigabit-per-second line interface field-programmable system chip (FPSC) for use in 10 Gigabit Ethernet modules on its core switching platform. Extreme Networks will initially deploy these modules in its Black Diamond(r) core switch, designed to provide carrier-class fault tolerance for Internet protocol (IP) data networks and scalability from 10/100 megabit-per-second (Mbit/s) to 10 gigabit-per-second (Gbit/s) data rates. Extreme Networks will be demonstrating its 10 Gigabit Ethernet modules using Agere's ORLI10G chip at the fall Networld+Interop exhibition, being held in Atlanta Sept. 11-13. Agere's ORLI10G is a 10 Gigabit Ethernet line interface chip that provides data networking equipment designers with customizable, protocol-independent interfaces to high-speed optical transport facilities used in local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), and metro area network (MAN) deployments. It incorporates a 10 gigabit serial bus interface (XSBI) to optical transponders (modules that combine optical transmitters and receivers with associated electronics) by combining high-speed standard-cell logic with 400K gates of programmable logic for customizable networking cores. The embedded programmable gates are implemented in Agere's ORCA Series 4 field-programmable gate array architecture and based on Agere's COM2 modular complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) process technology. "Extreme Networks is at the forefront of the movement to deploy 10 Gigabit Ethernet networking and Agere's programmable system chip approach provides a leading solution as we prepare to deliver products that will comply with the IEEE's forming standards," said Herb Schneider, vice president of engineering for Extreme Networks. "We can deliver the networking capabilities our customers want now, and as changes develop to the standard in the future we have the ability to reprogram the FPSC, preventing the delay of delivery of systems while waiting for new silicon to be designed." "Extreme Networks' Black Diamond core switches are an ideal application for Agere's programmable networking system-chip technology," said Samir Samhouri, general manager for networking intellectual property platforms at Agere Systems. "By coupling high-speed standard-cell macros with high-performance field programmable gates on silicon, and by providing customizable networking intellectual property cores for deployment into the programmable logic, we give system designers like Extreme Networks the ability to bring innovative products to market quickly. And with the chip's interfaces to high-speed optical networking interface chips, such as Agere's 10 and 12.5 gigabit-per-second multiplexer and demultiplexer ICs, as well as to integrated transponder solutions, system makers can tap Agere's dual expertise in optoelectronics and semiconductors. We give them integrated networking solutions, not just piece-parts." For further information visit www.agere.com or www.extremenetworks.com