QLogic Introduces FCoE Port Technology for HP
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QLogic Expands Industry Lead in Converged Networks
LAS VEGAS, Jun 23, 2010 - HP Technology Forum, Mandalay Bay -- Continuing to innovate along a fast-paced trajectory to expand its industry lead in intelligent converged fabric technologies, QLogic Corp. (Nasdaq:QLGC) today announced a revolutionary new Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) ASIC with breakthrough connectivity innovations.
This new ASIC is used in the new HP Virtual Connect FlexFabric 10Gb/24-port module for HP's industry-leading BladeSystem platform. A key element of HP's Converged Infrastructure, the HP Virtual Connect FlexFabric module is the only blade interconnect that combines network convergence with I/O virtualization and wire-once connection management. It converges Ethernet, Fibre Channel and iSCSI onto a common fabric, combined with the unique capability to allocate 10Gb network bandwidth across eight connections per each dual-port FlexFabric Adapter. This innovation enables businesses to consolidate their network access equipment at the server edge by up to 95 percent, reducing infrastructure acquisition and operating costs while also improving management.
The new QLogic® FCoE ASIC, code-named "Bullet," features industry-first flex port technology that enables ports to be dynamically allocated to support Fibre Channel, iSCSI or FCoE data--instantaneously. While all other vendors require clients to predetermine the amount of physical, rigid ports and boards they require prior to making a network switch purchase--forcing them to invest in fixed blade configurations with higher power, cooling, and rack space requirements--QLogic's adaptive convergence technology provides variable connectivity options and complete flexibility, enabling customer-paced network convergence and removes all guess work around the selection of port types and ratios. With flex ports that can shift protocol support on-the-fly, today's announcement signals another leap forward for HP and QLogic in intelligent switching technology and network convergence.
"The most critical capability to have during an industry transition is flexibility and with its industry-first flex port technology, the Bullet ASIC provides just that," said Jesse Parker, vice president and general manager, Network Solutions Group, QLogic. "This is an entirely new FCoE ASIC design that leverages our Ethernet expertise. In response to our customers, QLogic developed an entirely new ASIC for converged fabrics to complement the successful ASIC design in our CNAs. Coupled with IP from the NetXen acquisition, QLogic is now in the unique position of making FCoE ubiquitous across a multitude of form factors in a broad array of data center platforms."
The Bullet is an advanced FCoE ASIC featuring a scalable, non-blocking crossbar switch architecture developed to meet the specific demands of companies requiring data center-class converged network switching solutions to further expand their networking portfolios. The Bullet is a completely standards-based FCoE ASIC and provides a multitude of connectivity options and management solutions with no lock-in features.
"Clients want to consolidate their network access equipment at the server edge to reduce network sprawl and management complexity," said Paul Miller, vice president, Enterprise Servers, Storage and Networking, Solutions and Strategic Alliances, HP. "HP Virtual Connect is delivering the world's simplest, most flexible way to connect servers to any network, while eliminating 95 percent of network sprawl."
QLogic also introduced several other innovations today, further establishing itself as a supplier of products that support HP's Converged Infrastructure:
o QLogic Adds FCoE Capabilities to HP StorageWorks MPX200 Storage Router
The QLogic-designed HP StorageWorks MPX200 now features FCoE routing capabilities in addition to iSCSI, Fibre Channel and 10Gb Ethernet. Other updates include enhanced interoperability with HP StorageWorks XP arrays and online data migration capabilities that work seamlessly regardless of storage array, fabric or protocol.
o Integration of HP StorageWorks Simple SAN Connection Manager 3.2 and HP Virtual Connect Enterprise Manager 6.1
HP's Simple SAN Connection Manager (SSCM), standard with HP StorageWorks H-series Fibre Channel switches, is the first application to utilize the Virtual Connect application program interface (API) for integration with HP Virtual Connect Enterprise Manager (VCEM). VCEM enables administrators to manage connections to thousands of servers from a single pane of glass. The SSCM and VCEM integration provides customers a unique, end-to-end view of server-to-storage connectivity in the fabric.
o Integration of HP StorageWorks Simple SAN Connection Manager with the New HP StorageWorks Enterprise Fabric Management Suite
HP StorageWorks Enterprise Fabric Management Suite (EFMS) software provides enterprise-class SAN tools for HP StorageWorks H-series (SN6000 and 8/20q) Fibre Channel switches in a single, comprehensive software suite that is site licensed for an unlimited number of fabrics and switches at a single location or campus. IT administrators can now launch HP's new Enterprise Fabric Management Suite directly from the soon-to-be-released enterprise-class SSCM 3.2 software.
o New HP StorageWorks SN6000 Stackable 8Gb 12-port Single Power FC Switch Joins H-series Switch Family
The latest addition to the HP StorageWorks H-series Fibre Channel 8Gb switches is the SN6000 12-port model, offering eight data ports and four dedicated stacking ports as well as a new four-port upgrade license. Joining the recently announced SN6000 24-port models, the SN6000 12-port model provides an additional layer of affordability and granular scalability.
o 8Gb Fibre Channel Stackable Switches, Adapters and SSCM Provide SAN Convergence with the New HP StorageWorks P2000 G3 FC MSA Dual Controller Small Business SAN Starter Kit
Available now, the latest end-to-end 8Gb Fibre Channel SAN package from HP--the HP StorageWorks P2000 G3 FC MSA Dual Controller Small Business SAN Starter Kit--features the new HP StorageWorks SN6000 Stackable 8Gb 12-port Single Power FC Switches, the HP StorageWorks P2000 G3 Modular Smart Array System and SSCM enterprise software along with 8Gb HBA technology. The HP P2000 G3 FC DC SMB SAN Starter Kit is easy to buy with one part number that includes everything needed to start a small-scale, dual-path SAN.
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About QLogic
QLogic (Nasdaq:QLGC) is a global leader and technology innovator in high performance networking, including adapters, switches and ASICs. Leading OEMs and channel partners worldwide rely on QLogic products for their data, storage and server networking solutions. QLogic is a NASDAQ Global Select company and is included in the S&P 500. For more information, visit www.qlogic.com.
SOURCE: QLogic Corp.
CONTACT: QLogic Corporation
Media Contact:
Steve Zivanic
408.667.8039
steve.zivanic@qlogic.com
