Brocade MLX / NetIron Maintenance — vendor-independent service for MLX-4/8/16/32 carrier routing
We service Brocade MLX / NetIron MLXe carrier-class routers after Extreme Networks Support expiration or following Broadcom's 2018 sale of the former Brocade IP line. MLX-4, MLX-8, MLX-16 and MLX-32 are modular service-provider routers still productive in DACH ISPs, internet exchanges (DE-CIX, AMS-IX), carrier backbones.
Which MLX / NetIron configurations we service
The MLX family includes 4 modular chassis sizes (MLX-4, MLX-8, MLX-16, MLX-32) plus NetIron 6.x software. MLXe (2010) is a rebrand of MLX with denser line cards. After Extreme's 2018 acquisition of Brocade IP, MLX is strategically EOL.
Why TPM maintenance for Brocade MLX instead of Extreme Networks Support
Broadcom sold the Brocade IP line (MLX, ICX, VDX) to Extreme Networks in 2018. Extreme runs MLX as a maintenance-mode line without active roadmap — support renewals are getting expensive or unavailable. MLX routers in carrier backbones, internet exchanges and enterprise WANs have 8-12 year refresh cycles.
We stock all MLX generations: chassis MLX-4 to MLX-32 (incl. MLXe rebrand), 10/40/100 GbE line cards (BR-MLX-100Gx1/x2 most critical), management modules NI-MLX-MR and MR2-M, switch fabric SF/SF2/SF3, PSUs and fan trays. NetIron firmware (6.0-6.3) stays functional.
Generations timeline & TPM coverage
Per hardware generation: vendor phase (slate) and TechCare coverage window (teal) up to ~5 years post-OEM EOSL.
- MLX-4 (ursprüngliche Generation)2008–2020TPM until2025+Recommended
- MLX-8 / MLX-162008–2022TPM until2027+Recommended
- MLX-32 (große Chassis-Variante)2010–2022TPM until2027+Recommended
- MLXe-Rebrand (alle Chassis)2010–2024TPM until2029+Recommended
- BR-MLX-100Gx1 / 100Gx2 Linecards2012–2026TPM until2031+Supported
- NI-MLX-SF3 (Switch-Fabric v3)2014–2025TPM until2030+Supported
EOSL status of MLX generations
With the 2018 Extreme acquisition, MLX active development ended. Hardware updates stopped; NetIron is frozen at 6.x. Extreme maintenance is getting expensive and unavailable for older chassis generations.
| Model family | Released | OEM support ends | TPM status |
|---|---|---|---|
| MLX-4 (ursprüngliche Generation) | 2008 | 2020 | Recommended |
| MLX-8 / MLX-16 | 2008-2010 | 2020-2022 | Recommended |
| MLX-32 (große Chassis-Variante) | 2010 | 2022 | Recommended |
| MLXe-Rebrand (alle Chassis) | 2010+ | 2024 | Recommended |
| BR-MLX-100Gx1 / 100Gx2 Linecards | 2012-2015 | 2024-2026 | Supported |
| NI-MLX-SF3 (Switch-Fabric v3) | 2014 | 2025+ | Supported |
As of 2026. EOSL data based on official vendor roadmaps and subject to change. Binding case-by-case information available on request.
What we deliver
OEM original parts
Stock of MLX/MLXe chassis (MLX-4 to MLX-32), 10/40/100 GbE line cards, management modules, switch fabric (SF/SF2/SF3), AC/DC PSUs, fan trays and all common XFP/SFP+/QSFP+/CFP transceivers.
Onsite engineer
German-speaking carrier network technicians in DACH with Brocade MLX, NetIron CLI and BGP/MPLS experience, 4-hour response. Internet exchange and carrier backbone know-how.
Carrier-grade SLA
Carrier routing (BGP speakers, MPLS PE, IX): always 24×7×4 with per-site spare line card. Enterprise WAN edge: 8×5 NBD sufficient.
Multi-vendor contract
One contract for Brocade MLX and all other routers (Cisco ASR, Juniper MX, Nokia 7750).
NetIron firmware stays functional
NetIron 5.x / 6.x stays fully functional without active Extreme contract. BGP, MPLS LDP/RSVP-TE, OSPF, IS-IS and QoS continue unchanged.
EOSL tracking + migration consulting
Per-site EOSL tracking. Migration consulting to successor platforms (Extreme SLX, Cisco NCS, Juniper MX) included in multi-year contracts.