ALISO VIEJO, Calif., July 17, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- QLogic Corp. (Nasdaq:QLGC), a leader in networking for storage and high performance computing (HPC), today announced the results of the Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) Test Drive conducted June 4-7, 2008 in San Diego. Based on the results, QLogic, Cisco and NetApp validated that Fibre Channel over Ethernet technology is ready for quick adoption by end users. A total of 14 storage, server and software vendors ran device drivers, device management software, network management software, storage management software and business applications on an FCoE network. Participants found their hardware products and software applications easily recognized Fibre Channel and FCoE devices because the FCoE network appeared to their products as just another Fibre Channel network. The ability of converged FCoE networks to simplify life for IT professionals and the 100 percent compatibility of FCoE networks with Fibre Channel networks are strong indicators that end-user adoption will be easy and swift. Learn more about the FCoE Test Drive at http://www.qlogic.com/promos/products/FCoE-promo.aspx
"In our opinion, FCoE is ready to be tested by those customers that want to run their storage traffic over a single, 10Gb converged fabric," said Dennis Martin, founder and president of computer industry analyst firm Demartek, a third party auditor of the test drive. "During the FCoE Test Drive, we found that all applications ran correctly, unaware of any difference in the underlying hardware interface. While we recognize that enterprise infrastructures take a number of years to change and some minor protocol issues still need to be resolved, we believe that FCoE will soon take its place as a viable, stable enterprise-ready protocol, especially as enterprises consider and deploy 10Gb Enhanced Ethernet networks."
"All FCoE traffic on the test drive went through the Cisco Nexus 5000 Series 10 Gigabit Ethernet switches and ran seamlessly with all the other FCoE products in the test drive," said Ed Chapman, Cisco vice president of product management for the Server Access and Virtualization Business Unit. "We are very encouraged by the prospects of FCoE market acceptance due to the fact that it is a non-disruptive technology, which customers can deploy at their own pace to unify their network infrastructures, and offers significant savings in adapter and cable investment as well as in power and cooling costs."
"NetApp is in a unique position, through its unified, multiprotocol architecture, to deliver on the promise of network unification through Ethernet storage, enable the consolidation of multiple transport protocols into a single infrastructure, and continue to enhance traditional Fibre Channel storage investments," said Patrick Rogers, vice president of Solutions Marketing at NetApp. "The FCoE Test Drive results further verify that the implementation of FCoE solutions will allow customers to leverage the proven benefits of Fibre Channel and the simplicity and economics of Ethernet fabrics."
"The ability to converge data and storage networking traffic through a single adapter greatly simplifies life in the data center, as evidenced by this test drive," said Frank Berry, vice president of marketing, QLogic Corp. "Our CNAs appeared to everyone's products in this ecosystem as Fibre Channel adapters. Because the operating system handles a CNA like just another Fibre Channel adapter, nothing changes for customers as they move to implement FCoE. This protects customers' existing Fibre Channel investments while making it easy to transition in the future to FCoE solutions from companies like QLogic, Cisco and NetApp."
Other FCoE Test Drive participants included Computer Associates, DataDirect Networks, EMC, FalconStor, Finisar, HP, Infortrend, LSI, Microsoft, MiraLink, Promise Technology and Symantec.
Fibre Channel over Ethernet -- Unifying Data and Storage Networks
FCoE, the standard for transporting Fibre Channel frames over Ethernet, is designed to make converged networks possible for data centers. With converged networks now on the way to becoming a reality, servers will no longer require separate interfaces for data and storage networking. IT professionals can increase functionality while reducing cost and complexity by using a single set of cables and switches.
QLogic 8000 Series CNAs -- Make Your Converged Network Fly
The QLogic(r) 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. 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 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, NetApp 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; declines in the market value of the company's marketable securities; 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 the company's products; changes in the company's tax provisions or adverse outcomes resulting from examination of its 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. NetApp, the NetApp logo, and Go further, faster are trademarks or registered trademarks of NetApp, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of the companies with which they are associated.