ALISO VIEJO, Calif., Feb. 2, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- QLogic Corp. (Nasdaq:QLGC), the company that powers storage area networks (SANs), today announced the QLogic SANbox 5200, the first Fibre Channel stackable switch, and the first switch to feature 10 gigabit (10Gb) technology, is now available to resellers via QLogic authorized distributors worldwide including: ACA Pacific, ACAL, Arrow, Bell Microproducts, Coma Zalohovaci Syatemy A.S., Four Leaf, Hammer, Ideal Enterprise Solutions, Infodip S.A., Info-X, Laser Computer Limited, MOCA, Promark Technology, SAM Boo System Corp., SM DATA, Systex, Storgate Africa, Tech Data, TidalWire, TIM Storage Solutions and Triangel Computer.
"The stackable IP switch has proven to be the most popular type of Ethernet switch because of its scalability and ease of use," said George Lyon, senior systems administrator, State of Oregon. "Finally it's possible to set up Fibre Channel storage networks with the same approach. The SANbox 5200 is a simple, affordable solution designed to grow with our business as our storage needs evolve."
With an MSRP of $5,795 for an 8-port configuration, the SANbox 5200 is a price leader that delivers breakthrough ease-of-use with wizard-based installation, the ability to scale to 64 ports without losing a single port to inter-switch links, blazing 10Gb performance, and complete stack management from a single application.
SANbox 5200 -- The First Stackable Fibre Channel Switch
IP networking vendors including Cisco, Nortel Networks, and 3Com, bridged the gap between cost and port density with stackable IP switches, providing network administrators with a low cost of entry plus scalability to high port-count configurations -- without sacrificing performance and manageability along the way. Now QLogic introduces the SANbox 5000 Series, the industry's first stackable Fibre Channel switches. SANbox stackable switches deliver the scalability and performance of a modular switch in a pay-as-you-grow solution.
Summary of SANbox 5200 Features and Benefits
Incredibly Low Cost -- Starting at 8 ports, SANbox stackable switches offer an entry point affordable to the smallest business. And with an easy-to-use graphical user interface (GUI), users won't have to hire an expensive SAN expert to manage stacks.
Modular Scalability -- Grow by adding ports in 4, 8, 12, and 16-port increments up to 64 ports in a single stack. Add, change or delete switch features without disrupting your storage network with non-disruptive code load and activation (NDCLA). Users also save money when building large 64-port fabrics by using 50% fewer ports than a mesh of fixed port switches.
Breakthrough Ease of Use -- The SANbox 5200 is the first Fibre Channel switch to be configured and zoned with simple wizards. Plus, SANsurfer Management Suite(tm) makes stack management easy throughout the SAN lifecycle by helping users install, configure, monitor, diagnose and upgrade -- all from one application.
Blazing 10Gb Performance -- The SANbox 5200 is the first SAN product to support traffic between switches, servers and storage at up to 10Gb per second -- actually up to six times faster than 2Gb networks being deployed today. A single, 10Gb inter-switch link (ISL) ensures low latency between switches and eliminates the cost and complexity of trunking 2Gb ports.
Pervasive Interoperability -- Interoperable with popular servers, storage and networking products from major manufacturers including: ADIC, Brocade, Cisco, Computer Associates, Dell, EMC, Emulex, HDS, HP, IBM, LSI Logic, McData, Microsoft, Quantum, StorageTek, Sun, VERITAS, and many others.
Powered by QLogic
Since 1993, over 50 million QLogic products have shipped inside servers, workstations, RAID subsystems, tape libraries, disk and tape drives. These products were delivered to small, medium and large enterprises around the world. Powering solutions from leading companies like Cisco, Dell, EMC, Fujitsu, Hitachi, HP, IBM, Network Appliance, Quantum, StorageTek and Sun Microsystems, the broad line of QLogic controller chips, host bus adapters, network switches and management software move data from storage devices through the network fabric to servers. A member of the S&P 500 and NASDAQ 100, QLogic was recently named to Fortune's 100 Fastest Growing Companies list for the fourth consecutive year and to Forbes' Best 200 Small Companies for the fifth consecutive year. In addition, QLogic was named to Business Week's list of 100 Hot Growth Companies for 2003. For more information visit www.qlogic.com.
Note: All QLogic-issued press releases appear on the Company's website (www.qlogic.com). Any announcement that does not appear on the QLogic website has not been issued by QLogic.
Disclaimer -- Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains statements relating to future results of the Company (including certain beliefs and projections regarding business trends) that are "forward-looking statements" as defined within the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or implied in the forward-looking statements. The Company wishes to advise readers that these potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the volatility of the Company's stock price; fluctuations in operating results; the dependence on the storage area network market; the ability to maintain and gain market or industry acceptance of the Company's products; the dependence on a limited number of customers and fluctuations or cancellations in orders from customers; the ability to compete effectively with other companies; a reduction in sales efforts by current distributors; the dependence on relationships with certain silicon chip suppliers and other subcontractors; the complexity of the Company's products; terrorist activities and resulting military actions; international, economic, regulatory, political and other risks; changes in semiconductor foundry capacity; the ability to maintain or expand upon strategic alliances; the strain on resources caused by rapid growth and expansion; the ability to attract and retain key personnel; and the ability to protect proprietary rights or to satisfactorily resolve any infringement claims.
More detailed information on these and additional factors which could affect the Company's operating and financial results are described in the Company's Forms 10-K, 10-Q and other reports, filed or to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company urges all interested parties to read these reports to gain a better understanding of the many business and other risks that the Company faces. The forward looking statements contained in this press release are made only as of the date hereof, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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