Looking back on Extreme Connect: the launch of Platform ONE

From 19 to 22 May, the annual Extreme Connect event took place once again. This year, it was held in bustling Paris, an event full of new insights and introductions to new technologies.

Extreme Networks Platform ONE

It quickly became clear that this year was all about AI, more specifically Platform One. Platform One is the new product from Extreme Networks that combines AI with networking and security in a clear cloud platform.

Platform One is now available in limited availability and will be available to the general public later this year (Q3CY25).

Of course, AI is everywhere these days, everyone is talking about it and has some form of AI in their products. Extreme Networks has provided some more information about this, specifically the different types of AI they are introducing into their platform, namely: conversational AI, multimodal AI and agentic AI. Together, these technologies ensure that the network becomes more automated and also more transparent. This underlying architecture ensures that all data currently available around the network is interpreted and made transparent. This applies across the entire line (switching, routing, wireless, SD-WAN) and, thanks to integrations, even for third parties.

Service Agent

The Service Agent was also introduced during the keynotes. Service AI Agent is a tool that searches for potential network problems. It uses human reasoning to perform live troubleshooting. For example, if a device is unable to connect to the network, the Service Agent will start a troubleshooting session just like a human would. It goes through various checks step by step, which it performs based on data.

What is really clever is that, as a network administrator, you receive a complete report detailing what went wrong, the reason for this and how the problem can be solved. The system is even capable of solving the problem, but always asks for approval to do so. This is called HITL (Human In The Loop), where humans always give the command to do or not to do something in terms of adjustments.

Of course, it is also possible to ask GTAC certain questions using the Service AI Agent. The conversation and associated data are then shared with the GTAC team so that a case is automatically created. If you prefer to get started yourself but want some insight into Extreme Networks’ documentation, AI Expert searches through tens of thousands of support documents, troubleshooting guides and articles to provide you with the right information, citing the source.

Platform ONE has also been announced and extensively tested by more than 100 customers in the early access programme.

AI Canvas – Visualisation

Another AI component of Platform ONE is AI Canvas. AI Canvas is capable of providing a live dashboard that is built entirely based on user commands. By clearly stating which items you would like to see on the dashboard, you can create your own dashboard. These dashboards can be saved, modified, and shared with colleagues in an instant.

In addition, there are of course a number of standard dashboards available that easily visualise which alerts are currently active. You can always click through to view all the information from an alert to the device (AP, switch) or the user.

Visualisation is very important for gaining a quick insight into the state of the network. A lot of improvements have been made to Platform ONE in this regard. New features such as geo maps, interactive overlays and detailed topologies make it easy to see how the physical infrastructure is structured, as well as the services that are active in a Fabric network, for example.

This visualisation aspect is very important for Fabric customers. In large campus networks, it is important to get an overview of the physical topology (which links are there, what are the speeds, is there sufficient redundancy). Customers who use ExtremeCloud SD-WAN to provide Fabric over SD-WAN can also gain insight into the Fabric over SD-WAN links. In addition to physical topology, you can also visualise the services (L2, L3) and gain insight into how Fabric services are connected to each other.

All of this is possible using extensive filters, so manually, but you can also ask AI Expert to visualise certain things.

Fabric Cloud management in Platform ONE

Extreme Networks Fabric Connect is hugely popular among Extreme Networks customers. Network administrators who start using the Fabric concept are completely convinced of the technology and don’t want to use anything else. The only area where improvements could be made was central management. Currently, ExtremeCloud IQ – Site Engine, Extreme Networks’ network management system (NMS), is Extreme Networks’ central management system. This is a powerful package capable of doing many different things (management, visualisation, backup, updates, workflows, etc.). The only drawback was that it is on-premises, and many customers want to move to the cloud.

Extreme Platform ONE introduces Fabric Cloud Management and visualisation. This combines the power of Fabric with Cloud management and AI within Platform ONE.

Hardware

Of course, you can’t have a powerful cloud platform without powerful hardware. And Extreme Networks customers weren’t left wanting in this area either.

In terms of wireless networking, new WiFi 7 access points have been introduced, including the AP4020 and the outdoor AP4060. On the wired side, new high-capacity 7830 and 8730 switches (400G Core and DC) and a compact 5320 fanless switch have been launched.

Security

No network without security. That’s why Universal ZTNA is now embedded in Platform ONE under the umbrella of Extreme Platform ONE Security. Everything you already loved about UZTNA, expanded with additional features and AI in the same platform where you also manage and troubleshoot your network.

Using AI Expert, you can easily create your policies through conversations (e.g. Give John access to the ERP application) or have your current policies checked for security issues or optimisations suggested.

No network without security. That’s why Universal ZTNA is now embedded in Platform ONE under the umbrella of Extreme Platform ONE Security. Everything you already loved about UZTNA, expanded with additional features and AI in the same platform where you also manage and troubleshoot your network.

Using AI Expert, you can easily create your policies through conversations (e.g. Give John access to the ERP application) or have your current policies checked for security issues or optimisations suggested.

Summary

Extreme Networks Connect 2025 focused primarily on all the new features within Platform ONE. There are many groundbreaking technologies on the horizon in AI (Service Agents, AI Expert, AI Canvas), visualisation (Fabric visualisation, overlay technologies to visualise physical topology to services), prioritisation (the ‘morning cup of coffee dashboard’ that displays only the most important alerts at a glance, MSP dashboard) and much more.

In 2025, security will be an integral part of a high-performance network, which is why Extreme Platform ONE Security (UZTNA) is now embedded in Extreme Platform ONE. Create NAC and ZTNA policies in no time and use AI to quickly create or review policies.

This, together with new high-performance hardware, shows that Extreme Networks will continue to stand for innovation and technological progress in 2025.

Interested in Extreme Networks or want to know more? Contact us at [email protected].