ALISO VIEJO, Calif., July 24, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- QLogic(r) Corp. (Nasdaq:QLGC), the leader in Fibre Channel host bus adapters (HBAs) and a leading provider of iSCSI HBAs, today announced Hitachi Data Systems support for iSCSI HBA solutions for Windows and Linux environments. Customers can now buy QLogic SANblade(r) QLA4050 iSCSI HBAs from authorized QLogic resellers for Hitachi TagmaStore(r) Adaptable Modular Storage (AMS) and Hitachi Workgroup Modular Storage (WMS) storage systems. QLogic iSCSI HBAs, powered by a single-chip TCP/IP and iSCSI offload engine, combined with Hitachi TagmaStore storage systems, allow businesses to set up user-friendly, high-performance storage networks while preserving server CPU processing for other tasks. The installed base of SANblade QLA4010C iSCSI HBAs are also supported.
"The combination of Hitachi TagmaStore systems with a native iSCSI interface, and QLogic iSCSI HBAs with both TCP/IP and iSCSI protocol offload, is a powerful package for customers that need the simplicity of Ethernet based SANs without sacrificing server performance," said Hu Yoshida, CTO, Hitachi Data Systems. "QLogic and Hitachi Data Systems continue to collaborate on delivering highly reliable storage networking solutions for customers building and managing heterogeneous environments."
QLogic iSCSI Advantages
QLogic SANblade QLA4050C and predecessor QLA4010C iSCSI HBAs offer high performance, low CPU utilization, and server connectivity directly to iSCSI storage or to iSCSI storage through an Ethernet network. These 1Gbps iSCSI-to-133MHz PCI-X HBA solutions offer several key features and benefits including:
-- Offloading iSCSI + TCP/IP Processing -- SANblade iSCSI HBAs provide
access to a high performance iSCSI SAN without sacrificing server
performance. Interrupts, CPU utilization, memory bus utilization
and host bus access associated with iSCSI and TCP/IP are
significantly reduced by offloading the tasks onto the SANblade
iSCSI adapter. With iSCSI offload engines, fewer servers are
required to maintain application performance. Server CPU
utilization testing with typical applications and current servers
demonstrates that QLogic SANblade iSCSI HBAs can save 30 percent
or more of the server CPU. This can be a 100 percent improvement
over software initiator implementations. Recent testing by
Network Computing's Storage Pipeline magazine shows less than
three percent CPU utilization by QLogic iSCSI HBAs for large block
tests.
-- Broad Platform Support -- Realizing the cost and ease-of-use
benefits of iSCSI HBA standardization requires drivers for
multiple operating systems. Drivers for popular operating systems
are available for the QLogic iSCSI HBAs including Windows, Solaris
and Linux.
-- Boot from External Storage (SAN) -- Managing several operating
system "boot images" is a complex and time-consuming task for
system administrators. By consolidating operating systems on
external storage and booting servers from external storage --
changing, adding and removing servers is easier and faster. The
SANblade QLA4050 includes "boot-from-SAN" capability, enabling this
cost and time saving strategy.
"Businesses tell us that they want one IT infrastructure to manage regardless of operating system environment," said Frank Berry, vice president of marketing, QLogic Corp. "The availability of QLogic SANblade iSCSI HBAs for Hitachi TagmaStore systems makes it possible for Hitachi Data Systems customers around the world to standardize on one HBA infrastructure for Fibre Channel and iSCSI in both Windows and Linux environments."
About QLogic
QLogic is a leading supplier of high performance storage networking solutions including Fibre Channel host bus adapters (HBAs), blade server embedded Fibre Channel switches, Fibre Channel stackable switches, iSCSI HBAs, iSCSI routers and storage services platforms for enabling advanced storage management applications. The company is also a leading supplier of server networking products including InfiniBand host channel adapters that accelerate cluster performance. QLogic products are delivered to small-to-medium businesses and large enterprises around the world via its channel partner community. QLogic products are also powering solutions from leading companies like Cisco, Dell, EMC, Hitachi Data Systems, HP, IBM, NEC, Network Appliance and Sun Microsystems. QLogic is a member of the S&P 500 Index. For more information go to 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; 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 attract and retain key personnel; recognition of compensation expenses related to employee stock options and employee stock purchases; 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; reliance on third party licenses; the use of "open source" software in our products; changes in our tax provisions or adverse outcomes resulting from examination of our income tax returns; computer viruses and other tampering with the Company's computer systems; charter documents 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.
QLogic and the QLogic logo are registered trademarks of QLogic Corporation. SANblade is a registered trademark in the United States. Other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of the companies with which they are associated.