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posted on 24 July 2008 09:44

FRIMLEY, UK., July 23, 2008 – QLogic Corp. (NASDAQ:QLGC), a leader in networking for storage and high performance computing (HPC), today announced the results of the Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) Test Drive, conducted June 4-7, 2008, in San Diego.

Based on the results, QLogic, along with HP and 12 other vendors, validated that FCoE networks are compatible with existing Fibre Channel storage, enabling quick adoption by customers.

The test results showed that QLogic Converged Network Adaptors (CNAs), HP StorageWorks Enterprise Virtual Arrays, and HP StorageWorks media storage libraries and software management applications easily recognized Fibre Channel and FCoE devices, with the FCoE network simply appearing as a Fibre Channel network. The FCoE devices test proved to be 100 percent compatible with existing Fibre Channel products.

“FCoE is ready to be tested by those customers that want to run their storage traffic over a single 10GbE converged fabric,” said Dennis Martin, founder and president of computer industry analyst firm Demartek, a third-party auditor of the test drive. “During the FCoE Test Drive, we found that all applications ran correctly, unaware of any difference in the underlying hardware interface. While we recognize that enterprise infrastructures take a number of years to change and some minor protocol issues still need to be resolved, we believe that FCoE will soon take its place as a viable, stable enterprise-ready protocol, especially as enterprises consider and deploy 10Gb Enhanced Ethernet networks.”

“This test drive shows how the ability to converge storage and data networking traffic through a single adapter can greatly simplify life in the datacentre,” said Joe Kimpler, director of business alliances, QLogic Corp. “Because the operating system interfaces to the CNA using the same proven software stack as QLogic Fibre Channel adapters, nothing changes for customers as they move to implement FCoE. The positive results from all FCoE Test Drive participants, including major companies like HP, indicate great potential for early adoption of FCoE products.”

“Customers that want to take advantage of the cost and management savings of FCoE technology can easily do so. The validated protocol ensures compatibility with existing Fibre Channel storage,” said Sean Fitzpatrick, Storage Area Network Infrastructure Business Planning, HP StorageWorks. “Based on the positive testing results, HP ensures faster adoption of FCoE for customers who need to upgrade their SAN environment to meet their growing business needs.”

Other FCoE Test Drive participants included Cisco, Computer Associates, DataDirect Networks, EMC, FalconStor, Finisar, Infortrend, LSI, Microsoft, MiraLink, NetApp, Promise Technology and Symantec. Learn more about the FCoE Test Drive at http://www.qlogic.com/promos/products/FCoE-promo.aspx.

Fibre Channel over Ethernet – Unifying Data and Storage Networks

FCoE, the standard for transporting Fibre Channel frames over Ethernet, is designed to make converged networks possible for data centers. With converged networks now on the way to becoming a reality, servers will no longer require separate interfaces for data and storage networking. IT professionals can increase functionality while reducing cost and complexity by using a single set of cables and switches.

QLogic 8000 Series CNAs – Make Your Converged Network Fly

The QLogic® 8000 Series is a family of converged network adapters designed for next-generation, virtualised and unified data centers with powerful multi-processor, multi-core servers. QLogic 8000 Series CNAs are optimized for both data and storage (FCoE) networking virtualisation with fierce 10GbE performance to handle large numbers of virtual machines. QLogic 8000 Series CNAs also reduce data center total cost of ownership (TCO) by enabling consolidation of data and storage networking onto a single adapter to reduce cabling, power and cooling. By using the same industry-standard storage area network (SAN) services, QLogic driver architecture and QLogic management tools already deployed with the largest installed base of Fibre Channel HBAs in the world, the QLogic 8000 Series CNAs completely protect customer investments in their existing Fibre Channel SANs.

About QLogic

QLogic is a leading supplier of high performance storage networking solutions, which include the controller chips, host adapters and fabric switches that are the backbone of storage networks for most Global 2000 corporations. The company delivers a broad and diverse portfolio of products that includes Fibre Channel adapters, blade server embedded Fibre Channel switches, Fibre Channel stackable switches, iSCSI adapters and iSCSI routers. The company is also a leading supplier of InfiniBand switches and InfiniBand host channel adapters for the emerging high performance computing market. QLogic products are delivered to small-to-medium businesses and large enterprises around the world via its channel partner community. QLogic products are also powering solutions from leading companies such as Cisco, Dell, EMC, Hitachi Data Systems, HP, IBM, NetApp and Sun Microsystems. QLogic is a member of the S&P 500 Index.

^{[Formatted by Paul Warren.]}