Emulex Demonstrates Breakthrough in SAN Connectivity on Intel Platforms Based on the Dual-Core Xeon Processor 5000 with Xen-based Virtual Servers

Emulex LightPulse Virtual Technology Compliments Intel Virtualization Technology-Enabled Usage Models for Enterprise Storage Connectivity


SAN FRANCISCO, March 7, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- INTEL DEVELOPER FORUM -- Emulex Corporation (NYSE:ELX), the most trusted name in storage networking connectivity, announced today it will demonstrate the industry's first implementation of N-Port ID Virtualization (NPIV) on Intel platforms, based on the Dual-Core Intel Xeon Processor 5000 sequence (codenamed Bensley), equipped with Intel Virtualization Technology (VT) and the leading-edge Xen open source hypervisor.

Utilizing industry standard NPIV, the Emulex LightPulse(r) Virtual HBA technology provides the foundation for improved SAN management, data protection, and application recovery by enabling virtual servers to use dedicated SAN resources. By incorporating support for the NPIV standard, Emulex's Virtual HBA technology enables server virtualization solutions to fully utilize key SAN management techniques, including zoning, LUN mapping and LUN masking to insure maximum data security.

In Booth No. 301 at the Intel Developer Forum this week, Emulex is showcasing the benefits of its LightPulse(r) Virtual HBA technology, along with leading fabric switch vendors in a Red Hat Linux environment. Integrating Emulex LightPulse Virtual HBA technology within server virtualization solutions provides the capability for each guest operating environment to utilize its own protected view of the SAN, as well as prioritized access to storage bandwidth resources. Additionally, Emulex LightPulse Virtual HBAs enable server virtualization environments, such as Xen, to migrate guest environments seamlessly for load balancing, server maintenance or incident recovery, with immediate reconnection to SAN-based databases and file resources.

"Emulex is at the forefront of delivering NPIV-based HBAs for use within virtual server environments of all types and working with Intel to support its new VT processor family promises deployment of uniquely robust and reliable solutions," said Mike Smith, executive vice president of worldwide marketing at Emulex Corp. "Today's demonstration brings this solution to the next level, by combining it with Intel's breakthrough VT architecture, as well as open-source Linux-based virtualization environment."

"Emulex virtualization technology is a good example of industry innovation in support of server consolidation and other usage models enabled by the Intel Dual-Core Intel Xeon Processor 5000 sequence (Bensley) platform," said Jim Pappas, director of Technology Initiatives, Server Platforms Group, Intel Corporation. "Intel Virtualization Technology and Intel Dual-Core Intel Xeon Processor 5000 platforms deliver the capabilities end-users demand for high reliability and SAN attached deployments."

The Intel Developer Forum demonstration includes an Intel Bensley Platform with Xeon Processors and Intel Virtualization Technology running Xen 3.0 virtualization management with the Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4 operating system. Fibre Channel SAN connectivity is provided via PCI Express interface by Emulex LightPulse Virtual HBAs, running at 4Gb/s speeds. The Emulex LPe11002 PCI Express HBA, coupled with fabric switches from leading vendors, including Brocade, Cisco and McDATA, are featured in the demonstration and provide support for NPIV.

Emulex Fibre Channel HBAs -- Generations Ahead

Emulex LightPulse HBAs leverage seven generations of advanced, field-proven technology, providing customers with the highest quality SAN connectivity solutions that the world's leading enterprises have come to rely upon. With a unique firmware upgradeable architecture, common driver model and centralized management tools for simplified installation and deployment, Emulex HBAs are simply "Generations Ahead" of competing solutions. The Emulex suite of Fibre Channel HBAs offers the following industry-leading features and benefits:


 -- Superior Quality and Reliability -- Field-proven, single-chip 
    design with a combination of parity and other advanced error 
    checking methods to validate the integrity of data blocks. 
 -- Most Efficient Installation and Management -- Unique tools 
    designed to automate installation and provide local and remote 
    HBA configuration and management. The Emulex architecture allows 
    complete independence of device drivers from HBA hardware and 
    firmware, which translates into time- and cost-savings by 
    eliminating the need to reboot during most configuration changes 
    and compatibility across HBA generations. 
 -- Maximum SAN Performance -- Experience superior full-duplex data 
    throughput and I/O processing, ideal for real-world application 
    environments. 
 -- Fastest Diagnosis and Recovery -- Ensures fast and efficient SAN 
    troubleshooting with detailed event logging and tracing. 
 -- Broadest Enterprise Deployments -- With the largest installed base 
    of HBAs, Emulex SAN connectivity solutions are trusted by the 
    world's largest, mission-critical enterprises. 

About Emulex

Emulex Corporation is the most trusted name in storage networking connectivity, with solutions spanning host bus adapters, embedded storage switches, I/O controllers and SAN Storage Switches. Emulex ranked number 19 in the Deloitte 2005 Technology Fast 50 and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE:ELX). Corporate headquarters are located in Costa Mesa, California. News releases and other information about Emulex Corporation are available at http://www.emulex.com.

EMULEX -- We network storage

Emulex Safe Harbor Statement

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: With the exception of historical information, the statements set forth above include forward-looking statements that involve risk and uncertainties. The company wishes to caution readers that a number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Those factors include the rapidly changing nature of technology, evolving industry standards and frequent introductions of new products and enhancements by competitors; fluctuation in the growth of Fibre Channel and IP markets; changes in economic conditions or changes in end-user demand for technology solutions; fluctuations or delays in customer orders; the highly competitive nature of the markets for Emulex's products; Emulex's ability to gain market acceptance for its products; the company's ability to attract and retain skilled personnel; the company's reliance on third-party suppliers. These and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are also discussed in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its recent filings on Forms 8-K, 10-K and 10-Q. All trademarks, trade names, service marks, and logos referenced herein belong to their respective companies.

The Emulex Corporation company logo can be found at: http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=1744



            

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