Extreme, Avaya Detail Enterprise VoIP Interoperability

July 9, 2008

Furthering the efforts of their Global Strategic Alliance, Extreme Networks and Avaya have successfully compliance-tested wired and wireless enterprise VoIP solutions, using Extreme Networks new Summit X350 switches, Summit X150 switches, and Summit WM20 wireless local area network (LAN) solutions with Avaya's IP telephony solutions.

Through Avaya's compliance process, Extreme Networks Summit X350-24t, Summit X150-24p, Summit X150-24t, and Summit X150-48t switch models were successfully tested for interoperability with Avaya Communication Manager IP telephony software, Avaya Media Gateways, and Avaya IP Office, a converged voice and data server for small and midsized businesses.

"Our new value-based network edge solutions allow customers to enjoy a full featured edge network and consistent software spanning both core and edge switches.” said Gregory Heath, director of convergence solutions for Extreme Networks. "The Summit X150 and Summit X350 contain highly advanced voice and data convergence capabilities that maintain high quality communications and have now been validated with Avaya's world-class IP telephony solutions.”

Tests demonstrated that the Summit X350 for 10/100/1000BASE-T connectivity and Summit X150 for 10/100BASE-T applications both support and prioritize Avaya IP telephony voice traffic. Further tests validated automated support for IP telephone authentication and the exchange server information to ease the deployment of the communication solution. Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) features were also validated on the supporting switches to demonstrate the unified solution implementation that uses a mix of Avaya telephones using SIP and H.323 protocols.

The Summit WM20 wireless LAN solution was added to the list of compliant Extreme Networks products, having been verified as compliant with the Avaya Communication Manager IP telephony software and with Avaya 3600 series wireless IP phones, featuring standards-based 802.11a/b/g technology for mobile communications.

Extreme Networks products were validated for interoperability through the Avaya DevConnect program – an initiative to promote the development, compliance-testing and co-marketing of innovative third-party products that are compatible with standards-based Avaya solutions. Extreme Networks, a platinum member of the DevConnect program, has successfully achieved compliance on a broad portfolio of core to edge network infrastructure products. Avaya is recommending the Extreme Networks BlackDiamond and Summit Ethernet switches to its customers as the Avaya Cajun family of switches approach end-of-sale status.

"With the compliance testing of a wired and wireless converged infrastructure solutions from Extreme Networks, Avaya customers have the opportunity to implement a fully interoperable mobility solution to allow them to maximize their business potential," adds Eric Rossman, vice president, developer relations and technical alliances, Avaya. "They are able to use unified communications to help customers and colleagues connect with employees on the move – staying ahead of their competitors and driving profits for the enterprise."