Extreme Networks bets on agentic AI networking as supply chain uncertainty weighs on margins

CEO Ed Meyercord says the company is managing supply chain challenges through pricing flexibility, targeted purchasing, and alternative sourcing strategies.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Despite seven straight quarters of revenue growth and strong earnings, Extreme Networks' stock is down by a third since September due to supply chain uncertainty tied to surging investment in artificial intelligence. CEO Ed Meyercord said the company is managing the cycle through pricing flexibility, more targeted purchasing, and alternative sourcing strategies. Extreme is also benefiting from market turmoil caused by Hewlett Packard Enterprise's planned acquisition of Juniper Networks.

Why it matters

Networking is considered 'critical infrastructure' that is less vulnerable to economic cycles. Extreme's smaller size compared to rival Cisco allows it to more easily secure smaller volumes of components. The company is also shifting its technology strategy to an 'AI-first' networking platform that automates network management tasks.

The details

Extreme is building a unified platform with an 'agentic AI core' that can automate tasks like troubleshooting, license management, and network planning. Its 'service agent' can reduce troubleshooting time from days to minutes. The company plans to make its AI agents available to ecosystem partners for integration into broader enterprise workflows.

  • Extreme Networks reported seven straight quarters of revenue growth and strong earnings in its most recent quarter.
  • Extreme's stock is down by a third since its September 11 high.

The players

Ed Meyercord

Chief Executive Officer of Extreme Networks Inc.

Cisco Systems Inc.

A giant rival to Extreme Networks.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co.

A company that is planning to acquire Juniper Networks Inc.

Juniper Networks Inc.

A company that is being acquired by Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co.

Gos Hein van de Wouw

The new head of Europe/Middle East/Africa at Extreme Networks.

Joe Spencer

The new global channel chief at Extreme Networks.

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What they’re saying

“It's helpful to Extreme. Juniper's style had 'more personality' than HPE, and he expects cultural clashes to stretch the full integration process out to his long as two years.”

— Ed Meyercord, Chief Executive Officer (SiliconANGLE)

“If you're not kind of in the top 50, then you might consider alternative vendors.”

— Ed Meyercord, Chief Executive Officer (SiliconANGLE)

“The thing that's great about the service agent is it shows you everything it has done.”

— Ed Meyercord, Chief Executive Officer (SiliconANGLE)

What’s next

Extreme Networks plans to make its AI agents available to ecosystem partners, enabling integration into broader enterprise workflows through an 'agent exchange'.

The takeaway

Extreme Networks is shifting its technology strategy to an 'AI-first' networking platform that automates network management tasks, helping to relieve overextended IT teams. The company is also managing supply chain challenges through pricing flexibility, targeted purchasing, and alternative sourcing strategies.