ORLANDO, Fla., April 8, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Storage Networking World -- QLogic Corp. (Nasdaq:QLGC), a leader in networking for storage and high performance computing (HPC), today introduced the QLogic(r) 8000 Series of converged network adapters (CNAs) that support both data and storage networking using a single adapter. Enhanced Ethernet along with Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) offer the promise of a unified fabric in the data center. Powerful QLogic 8000 Series CNAs make FCoE easy to deploy for data center administrators with the same Fibre Channel operational model, the same QLogic drivers and the same QLogic management tools already in use with their Fibre Channel SANs. The company also announced support for the Cisco Nexus 5000 Series. The new FCoE products from QLogic help to consolidate data and storage networks with blazing 10GbE performance, reduced cabling, and reduced power and cooling.
"Our floor is packed full of cables, so a new network technology that is 'rip and replace' is out of the question," said Steve Fastook, vice president of technical and commercial operations, CNBC. "Preliminary results from our evaluation of QLogic and Cisco equipment indicate that FCoE could be a solution to add bandwidth without rewiring as we increase the use of high resolution video and desktop editing."
"The Cisco Nexus 5000 Series is part of a complete solution developed in conjunction with industry leaders to deliver a holistic approach to simplify data center infrastructure," said Soni Jiandani, vice president of marketing at Nuova Systems, a majority-owned subsidiary of Cisco. "Evaluations by customers like CNBC are proving that deploying FCoE in the data center can help simplify infrastructure and reduce cost without disrupting the existing storage architecture, network architecture, or management and operational processes."
"EMC and QLogic share a customer-centric approach to supporting and qualifying emerging technologies like FCoE," said Barbara Robidoux, EMC vice president, Storage Marketing. "Both EMC and QLogic are working together to help our mutual customers introduce Ethernet-based storage area networking into their data centers while preserving existing administrative tools and workflows."
"As the leader in both Fibre Channel and iSCSI HBAs, QLogic was asked by data center customers to reduce the cost and complexity of connecting servers to both IP and Fibre Channel networks," said Roger Klein, vice president and general manager, QLogic Host Solutions Group. "Our direct response to these customers is this new class of converged network adapters."
Fibre Channel over Ethernet
FCoE is the standard for transporting Fibre Channel frames over Ethernet. With this technology the dream of a unified fabric for the data center is on the road to becoming a reality. No longer will servers require different or even separate interfaces for networking and storage.
QLogic 8000 Series CNAs -- Make Your Converged Network Fly
The QLogic 8000 Series is a family of converged network adapters designed for next-generation, virtualized and unified data centers with powerful multi-processor, multi-core servers. QLogic 8000 Series CNAs are optimized for both data and storage (FCoE) networking virtualization with fierce 10GbE performance to handle large numbers of virtual machines. QLogic 8000 Series CNAs also reduce data center Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) by enabling consolidation of data and storage networking onto a single adapter to reduce cabling, power and cooling. And by using the same industry standard SAN services, QLogic driver architecture and QLogic management tools already deployed with the largest installed base of Fibre Channel HBAs in the world, the QLogic 8000 Series CNAs completely protect customer investments in their existing Fibre Channel SANs.
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 and iSCSI routers. The company is also a leading supplier of InfiniBand switches and InfiniBand host channel adapters for the emerging high performance computing 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.
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; potential adverse effects of server virtualization technology on the company's business; potential adverse effects of increased market acceptance of blade servers; 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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