COSTA MESA, Calif. and FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla., Aug. 6, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Emulex Corporation (NYSE:ELX), the world's leading supplier of storage networking host bus adapters (HBAs), announced today that DataCore Software, a leading provider of enterprise-class, open-storage networking software, has developed a dual-mode driver solution that enables both host and target connectivity support for Emulex HBAs embedded in the DataCore SANsymphony(TM) virtualization solution. DataCore's SANsymphony software, when installed on standard Wintel Servers populated with Emulex HBAs, delivers a low-cost storage virtualization platform that offers high-performance and heterogeneous storage management. Additionally, its new dual-mode driver enables DataCore to utilize the same high performance Emulex HBAs for concurrent target and initiator connectivity within SANsymphony, drastically reducing solution cost and complexity.
DataCore's driver development leverages Emulex's unique Service Level Interface (SLI) technology, which enables driver compatibility across Emulex HBAs. Utilizing Emulex's SLI enabled DataCore to develop simultaneous connectivity support for both servers and storage arrays, streamlining the performance and flexibility of its SANsymphony solution.
Roni Putra, Vice President of Software Engineering for DataCore said, "The extraordinarily robust Emulex architecture enabled us to develop a feature-rich dual-mode driver without a single firmware revision from the HBA vendor, delivering a uniquely smooth development effort in our experience." Additionally, the Emulex flexible firmware-based architecture allows firmware to be upgraded independently of drivers in the future, enabling the addition of next generation features and functionality, while protecting existing DataCore software investments.
DataCore's development of this driver also ensures that customers already utilizing Emulex HBAs for host connectivity have a qualified, compatible HBA solution to operate seamlessly with DataCore's virtualization solution via its Storage Domain Servers (SDS). "Most customers like to standardize on a single HBA supplier across their fleet of servers," noted Kimberly French, DataCore Director of Business Development. "Their desire extends to the Powered by DataCore(TM) storage domain servers that handle network wide caching, snapshots and remote replication on behalf of the application engines. Emulex technology on both sides of the link ensures the highest level of integration and performance throughout the network. It also minimizes the number of variables in these very demanding scenarios."
The two companies' products combine to form a network of storage virtualization nodes that are dedicated to centrally manage a pool of tiered storage resources, thereby increasing storage capacity utilization while reducing operational complexity and lowering costs for distributed IT organizations. Emulex's unique driver compatibility across all HBA generations enables large to midrange environments to now take advantage of Emulex LightPulse products, including the LP9802 and dual channel LP9802DC PCI-X Fibre Channel HBAs, for end-to-end connections under the control of DataCore's SANsymphony software. Delivering a combined initiator and target driver in support of DataCore's SANsymphony software also provides customers with industry-leading solutions for deploying consolidated, automated storage management.
"DataCore's SANsymphony software is designed to offer an ideal high-performance virtualization and storage management engine from which to concentrate storage access for a large population of servers, running a variety of popular multi-platform packages," said Mike Smith, Emulex Executive Vice President of Worldwide Marketing. "Emulex HBAs are a natural fit, and ensure the highest levels of performance, intelligence and scalability."
About Emulex
Emulex Corporation, which was named one of Forbes Magazine's 25 Fastest Growing Technology Companies in 2002, is the world's largest supplier and developer of storage networking host bus adapters. The American Electronics Association also recently named Emulex "Outstanding Public Company" for 2002.
The Emulex product families are based on internally developed ASIC, firmware and software technologies spanning both Fibre Channel and IP networking protocols, and offer customers high performance, scalability, flexibility and reduced total cost of ownership. The company's products have been selected by the world's leading server and storage providers, including Dell, EMC, Fujitsu Siemens, Groupe Bull, HP, Hitachi Data Systems, IBM, NEC, Network Appliance, StorageTek and Unisys. In addition, Emulex includes industry leaders Brocade, Computer Associates, Intel, McDATA, Microsoft and VERITAS among its strategic partners. Via a joint development agreement, Emulex and Intel are pioneering the industry's first storage processors for Serial ATA, Serial Attached SCSI and Fibre Channel interfaces within a single architecture.
Emulex markets to OEMs and end users through its own worldwide selling organization, as well as its two-tier distribution partners, including ACAL, Avnet, Bell Microproducts, Info-X, Netmarks, Tech Data, TidalWire and Tokyo Electron. Corporate headquarters are located in Costa Mesa, California. News releases and other information about Emulex Corporation are available at www.emulex.com.
About DataCore Software
DataCore Software is an independent software vendor specializing in consolidating, controlling and automating storage for Windows, Unix, Linux, MacOS and NetWare systems. The company's award-winning SANsymphony software uses Wintel storage servers to pool, cache, and replicate data from all the major disk and disk array suppliers. Its innovative technology centralizes storage management for Global 2000 enterprise data centers and powers OEM storage subsystems with advanced features, non-stop availability and unmatched performance. DataCore is privately held with corporate headquarters in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. For international office locations and more information, call (877) 780-5111 or visit www.datacore.com.
DataCore, the DataCore logo, Powered by DataCore, ROI Street Smarts, SANsymphony, SANcentral, and SANvantage are trademarks or registered trademarks of DataCore Software Corporation. Other DataCore product or service names or logos referenced herein are trademarks of DataCore Software Corporation. All other products, services and company names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.