SYSTEMS

SANTA CLARA, CA -- Hitachi Data Systems and Brocade Communications Systems, Inc. (Brocade(R)) (Nasdaq:BRCD), the world's leading provider of infrastructure for Storage Area Networks (SANs), announced today the Thunder 9200 SAN Enabler (SE), a "ready-to-go" SAN, integrating Hitachi Freedom Storage(TM) Thunder 9200(TM) storage with two Brocade SilkWorm(R) fabric switches in a single, rack-mounted configuration. This new package provides customers with an easy way to purchase, implement, and support new or existing enterprise SANs. Brocade SilkWorm fabric switches provide the world's leading intelligent networking foundation for SANs, while the Thunder 9200, a member of the Hitachi Freedom Storage 9000 all-fibre family, delivers massive scalability and unparalleled performance. With this best-of-breed bundle, customers can now quickly connect servers with storage devices through a SAN, creating a highly reliable and manageable environment for storage applications. Customers also get a quick-start in building their SAN infrastructures and in realizing return on their investments. "We are pleased to continue to work with Hitachi Data Systems to provide our mutual customers with storage networking solutions that speed SAN deployment," said Jay Kidd, vice president of Product Marketing, Brocade. "The Thunder 9200 SE helps customers take the guesswork out of setting up a SAN and realize the benefits of networking their storage environments, which include enhanced availability, scalability, manageability, and security." The Thunder 9200 SE provides customers with a quick start to deploy a high-availability, switched-fabric SAN that addresses a variety of business issues typically faced by companies with rapidly growing IT infrastructures. Customers can now easily create consolidated storage pools that maximize efficiency and minimize management complexity, while allowing storage to grow independently of servers -- thus achieving substantial cost savings. As a certified package, the Thunder 9200 SE delivers additional benefits, such as fast and efficient ordering, streamlined installation, simplified trouble-shooting, and a single point of contact for support. "When you want to provide customers with the highest quality, easiest-to-install SAN solutions, it makes a lot of sense to combine the best products in the business," said Marlene Woodworth, vice president, Enterprise Products and Solutions, Hitachi Data Systems. "As far as performance, reliability, and capacity go, the Thunder 9200 has proven to be without peer. And Brocade is the market leader in SAN infrastructure. Add the two together and customers get a winning combination." For additional information visit http://global.hitachi.com