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                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1


                 [GRAY CARY WARE & FREIDENRICH LLP LETTERHEAD]

April 8, 2001

Securities and Exchange Commission
Judiciary Plaza
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C.  20549

     Re:  Extreme Networks, Inc.
     Registration Statement on Form S-3

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     As counsel to Extreme Networks, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), we are rendering this opinion in connection with the preparation and
filing of a registration statement on Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement")
relating to the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of up
to 1,357,319 shares of common stock to be sold by the selling stockholders named
in the Registration Statement (the "Shares").

     We have examined all instruments, documents and records which we deemed
relevant and necessary for the basis of our opinion hereinafter expressed. In
such examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures and the
authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals and the conformity to
the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies.

     Based on such examination, we are of the opinion that the Shares have been
duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable.

     We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the above-
referenced Registration Statement and to the use of our name wherever it appears
in said Registration Statement, including the Prospectus constituting a part
thereof, as originally filed or as subsequently amended.



                                         Respectfully submitted,

                                         /s/  Gray Cary Ware & Freidenrich LLP
                                         --------------------------------------
                                         GRAY CARY WARE & FREIDENRICH LLP

