QLogic Announces Support for IBM iDataPlex System

Switches Maximize HPC Performance, Simplify and Reduce Costs of Operating Data Center


ALISO VIEJO, Calif., June 30, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- QLogic Corp. (Nasdaq:QLGC), a leader in networking for storage and high performance computing (HPC), today announced that its QLogic(r) SilverStorm 9000 Series InfiniBand(r) directors and switches are now qualified with IBM iDataPlex and System Cluster 1350 systems for HPC environments.

IBM iDataPlex is a new category of server that dramatically increases compute density while significantly decreasing energy consumption and associated data center costs for Internet-scale computing.

Designed to maximize cluster and grid computing interconnect performance while simplifying and reducing the cost of operating a data center, QLogic InfiniBand switches provide a solution for IBM-based HPC networks, database clusters and grid utility computing applications.

"IBM iDataPlex and Cluster 1350 systems are addressing a wide range of important market sectors from weather & climate modeling to computational chemistry and petroleum exploration," said Jesse Parker, vice president and general manager, QLogic Network Solutions Group. "The integration of QLogic InfiniBand switches and directors helps maximize cluster performance in these environments, and simplifies installation with fabric management tools that make it easy for administrators to have their InfiniBand networks up and running within minutes."

"With our innovative iDataPlex system design, customers realize significant savings on power and cooling, as well as space," said Jim Gargan, vice president, IBM Systems & Technology Group. "IBM iDataPlex combined with QLogic InfiniBand directors and switches provide the high performance connectivity and productivity necessary to run increasingly complex scientific and commercial applications."

QLogic SilverStorm 9000 Series -- Maximizes Cluster Connectivity, Minimizes Data Center Costs

QLogic SilverStorm 9000 Series multi-protocol fabric directors support high performance computing, database clustering and grid utility computing applications. The SilverStorm 9000 Series maximizes cluster and grid computing interconnect performance while simplifying and reducing data center costs. The director leverages the latest InfiniBand-based technologies to provide industry-leading port densities, throughput performance, and ultra low latency. Incorporating the innovative Virtual I/O Controller (VIC) technology, the SilverStorm 9000 Series enables hosts on InfiniBand fabrics to transparently access either Fibre Channel or Ethernet networks or both. VIC technology eliminates the cost and complexity of running multiple server physical connections for storage, network, and inter-processor communications and allows each virtual network type to scale independently over a "single wire" connection.

QLogic High Performance Computing Solutions -- Second to None

QLogic offers a comprehensive end-to-end product portfolio of HPC solutions which includes multi-protocol fabric directors, edge fabric switches, host channel adapters (HCAs), and a complete software suite to install, operate, and maintain high performance interconnect fabrics. Delivering the industry's highest message rate, lowest MPI latency and highest effective bandwidth, QLogic InfiniBand HCAs enable MPI and TCP applications to scale to thousands of nodes with unprecedented price-performance. The most comprehensive and flexible interconnect fabric solutions on the market, QLogic InfiniBand switches incorporate the industry's only fabric management tools that enable an administrator to install and boot an InfiniBand fabric in minutes, helping to satisfy the growing demand for high performance computational clusters and grids.

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 adapters, blade server embedded Fibre Channel switches, Fibre Channel stackable switches, iSCSI adapters 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 such as 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.

QLogic and the QLogic logo are registered trademarks of QLogic Corporation. Other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of the companies with which they are associated.



            

Contact Data