The Direct Attach data center architecture features Extreme Networks' implementation of virtual machine switching performed in the network rather than in servers. Direct Attach reduces network switching tiers by eliminating the virtual switch tier, and thus reduces cost, end-to-end latency, and security issues in the virtualized network while simplifying management.
In addition, with Direct Attach, Extreme Networks eliminates the server-based virtual switch, thus reducing the number of switching elements by orders of magnitude as well as reducing the challenge of managing different virtual switch implementations being offered in the market. Extreme Networks technology breakthroughs with Direct Attach enable all VM traffic to be visible to the network, allowing uniform enforcement of SLAs, multi level security, and traffic management. Direct Attach makes this all possible.