ALISO VIEJO, Calif., Dec. 18, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- QLogic Corp. (Nasdaq:QLGC), a leading supplier of high performance network infrastructure solutions, today announced availability of an innovative, cost-effective suite of end-to-end 8Gb Fibre Channel networking solutions for IBM BladeCenter(tm) that includes the QLogic(r) 20 Port 8Gb Fibre Channel SAN Switch Module, QLogic 8Gb Fibre Channel Intelligent Pass-Thru Module and the QLogic 8Gb Fibre Channel/1GbE combo mezzanine card. With support for up to 128 virtual servers per chassis using N_Port ID virtualization (NPIV), the QLogic modules allow IBM BladeCenter customers to better leverage VMware capabilities by deploying more server applications and virtual machines in their existing chassis.
The QLogic switch solutions enable NPIV or E_port connectivity to any standards-compliant fabric, including edge and director switches from QLogic and other leading Fibre Channel switch vendors. This means customers can confidently add BladeCenter server and I/O resources throughout the enterprise, with complete interoperability. The QLogic 8Gb Fibre Channel/1GbE combo mezzanine card (CFFh) provides space, power and cost-saving I/O connectivity for blade server customers in Global 2000 enterprises. The combo card is optimized for performance in virtualized environments, and is green-friendly with unique Dynamic Power Management and Cool HBA(tm) technologies.
"These fourth-generation QLogic products give IBM BladeCenter customers easy-to-use, highly scalable solutions for expanding Fibre Channel fabrics," said Jesse Parker, vice president and general manager, QLogic Network Solutions Group. "QLogic 8Gb networking solutions for IBM BladeCenter make it easy for businesses to use their IT budgets wisely, spending money to expand only if and when they are ready to grow."
"With full backward-compatibility with 4Gb and 2Gb Fibre Channel products and complete interoperability with other vendors' 8Gb Fibre Channel switches, these QLogic solutions fit with the investment protection IBM offers throughout its BladeCenter portfolio," said Alex Yost, vice president, IBM BladeCenter. "The industry-leading speed of IBM Fibre Channel technology will support IBM BladeCenter clients as they consolidate separate networks into one lower-cost network that is more efficient and easier to manage."
QLogic Switch Modules for IBM BladeCenter
The affordably priced QLogic 20 port 8Gb SAN Switch Module for IBM BladeCenter delivers the simplicity of an Intelligent Pass-Thru Module, the scalability of fabric switching and the high performance of 8Gb Fibre Channel. Building on the field-proven success of the industry-leading 4Gb models from QLogic, the QLogic 8Gb Intelligent Pass-Thru Module provides IBM customers an expanded feature set and 8Gb performance for their network demands of today -- and tomorrow.
The QLogic SAN Switch Module and the QLogic Intelligent Pass-Thru Module provide several innovative features for IBM BladeCenter customers including:
* Automated Uplink Fail-over and Optimization -- Uplink groups optimize performance and speed deployment while providing automatic fail-over to redundant links. * Cost-effective "NPIV only" or full fabric models -- Allows customers to choose the functionality they need without paying for functionality they don't need. * Auto-StreamGuard -- Guarantees streaming data operations for backups or video delivery with automatic RSCN suppression. * Green Friendly -- An ROHS and WEEE compliant device, the QLogic Intelligent Pass-Thru Module's low power consumption makes it the perfect choice for "green" data centers.
QLogic 8Gb Fibre Channel/1GbE Combo Card for IBM BladeCenter
Designed by QLogic specifically for IBM BladeCenter, the innovative QLogic 8Gb Fibre Channel/1GbE combo card, equipped with two 1Gb Ethernet and two 8Gb Fibre Channel ports, provides new levels of space, power and cost-saving I/O connectivity for blade server customers in Global 2000 enterprises. Like its 4Gb Fibre Channel predecessor, the QLogic 8Gb Fibre Channel/1GbE combo card (CFFh) for IBM BladeCenter is a key component of IBM's Virtual Fabric Architecture, featuring innovative interconnect technologies and management tools to help customers increase speed and efficiency of data transfer across blade servers and networks.
The QLogic 20 Port 8Gb Fibre Channel SAN Switch Module and 8Gb Fibre Channel Intelligent Pass-Thru Module are available now. The QLogic 8Gb Fibre Channel/1GbE combo card will be available in first quarter 2009.
About QLogic
QLogic is a leading supplier of high performance network infrastructure 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.
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