STORAGE

QLogic has announced availability of an innovative, cost-effective suite of end-to-end 8Gb Fibre Channel networking solutions for IBM BladeCenter that includes the QLogic 20 Port 8Gb Fibre Channel SAN Switch Module, QLogic 8Gb Fibre Channel Intelligent Pass-Thru Module and the QLogic 8Gb Fibre Channel/1GbE combo mezzanine card. With support for up to 128 virtual servers per chassis using N_Port ID virtualization (NPIV), the QLogic modules allow IBM BladeCenter customers to better leverage VMware capabilities by deploying more server applications and virtual machines in their existing chassis. The QLogic switch solutions enable NPIV or E_port connectivity to any standards-compliant fabric, including edge and director switches from QLogic and other leading Fibre Channel switch vendors. This means customers can confidently add BladeCenter server and I/O resources throughout the enterprise, with complete interoperability. The QLogic 8Gb Fibre Channel/1GbE combo mezzanine card (CFFh) provides space, power and cost-saving I/O connectivity for blade server customers in Global 2000 enterprises. The combo card is optimized for performance in virtualized environments, and is green-friendly with unique Dynamic Power Management and Cool HBA technologies. "These fourth-generation QLogic products give IBM BladeCenter customers easy-to-use, highly scalable solutions for expanding Fibre Channel fabrics," said Jesse Parker, vice president and general manager, QLogic Network Solutions Group. "QLogic 8Gb networking solutions for IBM BladeCenter make it easy for businesses to use their IT budgets wisely, spending money to expand only if and when they are ready to grow." "With full backward-compatibility with 4Gb and 2Gb Fibre Channel products and complete interoperability with other vendors' 8Gb Fibre Channel switches, these QLogic solutions fit with the investment protection IBM offers throughout its BladeCenter portfolio," said Alex Yost, vice president, IBM BladeCenter. "The industry-leading speed of IBM Fibre Channel technology will support IBM BladeCenter clients as they consolidate separate networks into one lower-cost network that is more efficient and easier to manage." QLogic Switch Modules for IBM BladeCenter The affordably priced QLogic 20 port 8Gb SAN Switch Module for IBM BladeCenter delivers the simplicity of an Intelligent Pass-Thru Module, the scalability of fabric switching and the high performance of 8Gb Fibre Channel. Building on the field-proven success of the industry-leading 4Gb models from QLogic, the QLogic 8Gb Intelligent Pass-Thru Module provides IBM customers an expanded feature set and 8Gb performance for their network demands of today -- and tomorrow. The QLogic SAN Switch Module and the QLogic Intelligent Pass-Thru Module provide several innovative features for IBM BladeCenter customers including:

• Automated Uplink Fail-over and Optimization -- Uplink groups optimize performance and speed deployment while providing automatic fail-over to redundant links.
• Cost-effective "NPIV only" or full fabric models -- Allows customers to choose the functionality they need without paying for functionality they don't need.
• Auto-StreamGuard -- Guarantees streaming data operations for backups or video delivery with automatic RSCN suppression.
• Green Friendly -- An ROHS 6 and WEEE compliant device, the QLogic Intelligent Pass-Thru Module's low power consumption makes it the perfect choice for "green" data centers.

QLogic 8Gb Fibre Channel/1GbE Combo Card for IBM BladeCenter Designed by QLogic specifically for IBM BladeCenter, the innovative QLogic 8Gb Fibre Channel/1GbE combo card, equipped with two 1Gb Ethernet and two 8Gb Fibre Channel ports, provides new levels of space, power and cost-saving I/O connectivity for blade server customers in Global 2000 enterprises. Like its 4Gb Fibre Channel predecessor, the QLogic 8Gb Fibre Channel/1GbE combo card (CFFh) for IBM BladeCenter is a key component of IBM's Virtual Fabric Architecture, featuring innovative interconnect technologies and management tools to help customers increase speed and efficiency of data transfer across blade servers and networks. The QLogic 20 Port 8Gb Fibre Channel SAN Switch Module and 8Gb Fibre Channel Intelligent Pass-Thru Module are available now. The QLogic 8Gb Fibre Channel/1GbE combo card will be available in first quarter 2009.