ALISO VIEJO, Calif., Feb. 21, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- QLogic(r) Corp. (Nasdaq:QLGC), the leader in Fibre Channel host bus adapters (HBAs), stackable switches and blade server switches today announced it is collaborating with Hitachi Data Systems and Microsoft to make storage area network (SAN) implementation and management simpler, easier, and less costly for small and medium size enterprises with plug-and-play SAN Kits compatible with Microsoft Simple SAN for Windows Server(tm) 2003 initiative. The new kits consist of QLogic 4Gb and 2Gb Fibre Channel products, including switch, HBAs and connectors, and are installed with Hitachi TagmaStore(tm) Adaptable Modular Storage and Workgroup Modular Storage. Hitachi Data Systems is the first company to receive the Microsoft Simple SAN designation for a complete Fibre Channel bundle.
"By collaborating closely with Microsoft and QLogic we have created Simple SAN solutions that make the data in any size organization more secure, more accessible and more available," said Jack Domme, senior vice president of Global Solutions Strategy and Development at Hitachi Data Systems. "We are committed to bringing enterprise-class storage platforms with advanced virtualization functionality to small and medium size enterprises, without sacrificing an easy 'out-of-box' experience."
The Plug-and-play SAN Kits for the Hitachi TagmaStore(tm) AMS200, AMS500, and WMS100 systems, designed to provide "out-of-box" SAN experience for users, enable small and medium size enterprises to install a SAN quickly--in most cases under an hour--without on-site assistance. The kits, available in 2Gb/s or 4Gb/s configurations, include everything necessary to connect servers to a first SAN or to extend a SAN from the data center to a distant workgroup.
The 4Gb configuration includes a QLogic SANbox 5600 Fibre Channel stackable switch and two high performance 4Gb SANblade 2460 Series (PCI-X 2.0 and PCIe) Fibre Channel HBAs. The 2Gb version includes a QLogic SANbox Express(tm) 1400 Fibre Channel switch and two SANblade Express(tm) QLA210 Fibre Channel HBAs.
"Hitachi Data Systems has been a driving force in changing the face of storage networking in the enterprise," said Frank Berry, vice president of marketing, QLogic Corp. "We expect they will have a similar impact in the rapidly evolving SMB market with TagmaStore SAN solutions that are easy to buy, install and manage."
QLogic 2Gb HBAs and Switches for SMBs -- Designed for the Novice User
The SANblade QLA200 Series HBAs make a huge leap in out-of-the-box plug and play SAN setup. An illustrative quick-start guide, a detailed user manual, and extended support (including online, via email, and by phone) make installation, configuration, maintenance, and upgrades easy for even a novice user.
Affordable and extremely easy to use, the entry-level SANbox Express 1400 allows the smallest business to enjoy the benefits of networked storage without having to hire a SAN expert. At only two pounds and six inches deep, the SANbox Express 1400 is a space-saver, requiring just half a rack slot.
QLogic -- the 4Gb Performance Leader
QLogic recently announced the industry's highest performing 4Gb HBAs. Based on independent side-by-side testing, the SANblade Pro 2440 Series HBA achieved 202,000 I/Os per second read performance and 150 percent faster write performance than the enterprise-class HBA tested from the primary competitor. The SANblade Pro 2460 Series HBA achieved even higher performance with a dramatic 304,000 I/Os per second. SANblade Pro HBAs are designed from the ground up to meet the increased performance demands of multiple applications running on virtualized servers.
Following the successful model of stackable IP switches, QLogic pioneered the category of Fibre Channel Stackable Switches with the first Fibre Channel stackable switch in the industry. Now the benefits of stackable IP switches are available for high performance 4Gb SANs with the SANbox 5600 Series of stackable switches. With sixteen 4Gb ports plus a four-pack of high-speed 10Gb ISL ports, each SANbox 5600 Series stackable switch provides maximum flexibility for configuring, managing and scaling SANs.
About QLogic
QLogic is the leading supplier of Fibre Channel host bus adapters (HBAs), blade server embedded Fibre Channel switches and Fibre Channel stackable switches for storage area networks (SANs). The company is also a leading supplier of iSCSI HBAs. QLogic products are delivered to small, medium and large enterprises around the world, powering solutions from leading companies like Cisco, Dell, EMC, HDS, HP, IBM, NEC, Network Appliance and Sun Microsystems. QLogic is a member of the S&P 500 Index. 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 in 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 advises readers that these potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: potential fluctuations in operating results; gross margins that may vary over time; revenues may be affected by changes in IT spending levels; the stock price of the Company may be volatile; the Company's dependence on the storage area network market; the ability to maintain and gain market or industry acceptance of the Company's products; the Company's dependence on a limited number of customers; seasonal fluctuations and uneven sales patterns in orders from customers; the Company's ability to compete effectively with other companies; declining average unit sales prices of comparable products; a reduction in sales efforts by current distributors; reliance on third party licenses; dependence on sole source and limited source suppliers; the Company's dependence on relationships with certain silicon chip suppliers; the complexity of the Company's products; sales fluctuations arising from customer transitions to new products; the uncertainty associated with SOX 404 compliance; environmental compliance costs; terrorist activities and resulting military actions; international, economic, regulatory, political and other risks; uncertain benefits from strategic business combinations; the ability to maintain or expand upon strategic alliances; the strain on resources caused by growth and expansion; the ability to attract and retain key personnel; the decreased effectiveness of equity compensation; difficulties in transitioning to smaller geometry process technologies; the ability to protect proprietary rights; the ability to satisfactorily resolve any infringement claims; changes in tax laws or adverse tax audit results; computer viruses and other tampering with the Company's computer systems; charter documents and stockholder rights plan that may discourage a business combination; and facilities of the Company and its suppliers and customers are located in areas subject to natural disasters.
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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