SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 7, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- LinuxWorld -- QLogic Corp. (Nasdaq:QLGC), a leader in networking for storage and high performance computing, today announced it is demonstrating end-to-end support of its HBA virtualization technologies in the Novell booth at the LinuxWorld show this week in San Francisco. Show attendees will witness a live demonstration of virtual machine (VM) migration, leveraging the N_Port ID Virtualization (NPIV) functionality of QLogic(r) SANblade(r) Fibre Channel host bus adapters (HBAs) and SANbox(r) switches in a standard Linux environment. QLogic and Novell have been actively collaborating since 2006 to bring the benefits of hardware virtualization capabilities in Fibre Channel HBAs to Novell's SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) customers.
"QLogic is first to market with NPIV technology for Linux OS environments, thanks in large part to our collaboration with Novell," said Amit Vashi, vice president of marketing, QLogic Host Solutions Group. "Today's demonstration illustrates how Novell's SLES customers will be able to manage virtual machines and NPIV capabilities using a single management utility. Customers can expect to gain access to comprehensive virtualization solutions by the end of the year."
Novell is the first vendor to support the QLogic(r) N_Port ID Virtualization (NPIV) technology for Linux operating systems, allowing storage administrators to create virtual HBA ports using a comprehensive systems management tool. Novell(r) ZENworks(r) Orchestrator and Virtual Machine Management, an innovative component of the Novell data center management solution, not only manages VMs but also has the capability to create and provision virtual HBA ports across multiple physical servers. Storage administrators who deploy ZENworks Orchestrator and Virtual Machine Management along with QLogic SANblade(r) 2400 Series 4Gb Fibre Channel HBAs can now create virtual machines and ports that are easier to manage, maintain and support across the virtualized data center.
Without virtual HBA ports, storage administrators must use the physical World Wide Port Name (WWPN) of the HBA to define fabric zones, mask storage LUNs, and configure VMs. In addition, storage administrators typically define one zone where all disks are exposed to every server to support live migrations of VMs to new servers. This one-zone design creates security concerns for disks with sensitive information and requires the reconfiguration of the network if more than one zone is defined. Virtual HBA ports allow storage administrators to bind VMs to storage and define multiple zones using the virtual port parameters, creating an easier-to-manage and more secured virtualized environment.
QLogic and Novell Collaborate on Virtualization Technologies
QLogic was the first HBA vendor that participated in the Novell ZENworks Orchestrator Virtual Machine Management early adopter program and provided direct feedback on offerings. QLogic collaborated with Novell to integrate NPIV in the Novell data center management offerings and demonstrated the capabilities in several keynote and breakout sessions during Novell BrainShare 2007 Conference. Storage administrators can create virtual HBA ports within multiple zones and assign them to VMs for live migrations, without having to reconfigure any zoning or LUN masking settings. This HBA virtualization solution will be available to customers during the second half of 2007.
About QLogic
QLogic is a leading supplier of high-performance storage networking solutions, which include the controller chips, host adapters and fabric switches that are the backbone of storage networks for most Global 2000 corporations. The company delivers a broad and diverse portfolio of products that includes Fibre Channel 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 InfiniBand switches and InfiniBand host channel adapters for the emerging High Performance Computing (HPC) market. 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, Network Appliance and Sun Microsystems. QLogic is a member of the S&P 500 Index.
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; environmental compliance costs; international economic, regulatory, political and other risks; uncertain benefits from strategic business combinations; the ability to attract and retain key personnel; 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 technology; 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; 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 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 does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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