Company Leverages Award-Winning Channel Expertise to Bring InfiniBand Solutions Into the Mainstream Through Global Commercial Distribution -- QLogic Corp., a leading supplier of high performance network infrastructure solutions, today introduced the QLogic SignatureHPC channel program targeting the emerging market for high performance computing (HPC) clusters built on InfiniBand networks. The new SignatureHPC program is an extension of the company's enterprise-class and award-winning Signature Partner channel program for storage networking. The goals of the first enterprise-class channel program for HPC are to meet end-user demand for qualified resellers of InfiniBand networks and to provide resellers with easier access to the lucrative HPC market.

"InfiniBand continues to gain market share within HPC, as buyers look for higher performance solutions. This is generating end-user demand for resellers with InfiniBand expertise that is outstripping the supply of qualified resellers," said Earl Joseph, IDC program vice president. "Programs such as the QLogic SignatureHPC program are helpful to more quickly grow the base of InfiniBand resellers and keep pace with the increasing need for new HPC clusters."

"As the deployment of InfiniBand technology continues to increase, there is a greater need for a mature, consistent distribution model," said Kevin Schlabach, director of partner alliances, Appro. "With years of experience in nurturing new technologies like Fibre Channel and iSCSI to great success in the channel, QLogic is uniquely suited to help us deliver InfiniBand to a much broader customer base."

"In order to keep up with customers' HPC requirements, we need traditional support mechanisms from InfiniBand vendors," said Julian Fielden, managing director, OCF. "The QLogic SignatureHPC program is the first we've seen to take a truly global approach to delivering InfiniBand products, training and support through established mechanisms."

"To maximize available sales time, data networking and storage networking resellers expect vendors to provide enterprise-class partner programs, including technical training, demand creation and most importantly, high quality post-sales support," said Jason Beeson, solutions sales director, Hammer. "Until now, enterprise-class partner programs for InfiniBand networking simply didn't exist."

"SYNNEX has a strong focus in supporting customers within the HPC market," said Steve Ichinaga, general manager and senior vice president, Systems Integration Division at SYNNEX Corporation. "With InfiniBand technology considered the de facto solution for HPC, we are delighted to be partnering with QLogic and supporting the Signature HPC program."

"The comprehensive QLogic Signature channel program for storage networking recently earned the VARBusiness Gold 5-Star Award," said Frank Berry, vice president of marketing, QLogic Corp. "Existing or new HPC partners can expect QLogic to deliver the same class of partner programs for InfiniBand networking."

QLogic SignatureHPC Program: The Ultimate in HPC Channel Programs

QLogic offers a comprehensive end-to-end product portfolio of HPC networking products including multi-protocol fabric directors, edge switches, adapters, and a complete software suite to install, operate, and maintain high performance clusters.

The QLogic SignatureHPC Program is the industry's first enterprise class channel program for HPC. Through the SignatureHPC program, QLogic engages InfiniBand partners as an integral part of a global sales model. The program extends an array of program benefits to authorized QLogic resellers and distributors including Bell Micro, SYNNEX Corporation and Tech Data.