ALISO VIEJO, Calif., July 9, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- QLogic Corp. (Nasdaq:QLGC), the leader in iSCSI host bus adapters (HBAs), today announced a collaboration with Hitachi Data Systems to make storage area network (SAN) implementation and management simpler, easier, and less costly for businesses by introducing the Hitachi Data Systems iSCSI Plug-and-play SAN Kit. The new kit, which includes QLogic(r) SANblade(r) 4050 Series iSCSI HBAs, was designed specifically for the Hitachi iSCSI Adaptable Modular Storage and Workgroup Modular Storage systems and has been designated a "Microsoft Simple SAN Solution" for Microsoft Windows Server environments.
"iSCSI provides an easy way for businesses to leverage their existing Ethernet infrastructure for storage area networking," said Steve TenBarge, vice president, Global Product Marketing, Hitachi Data Systems. "By combining the iSCSI Plug-and-play SAN Kit with native iSCSI support for Hitachi Data Systems storage solutions we've made it that much easier for customers to buy, install and manage iSCSI SANs."
"The objective of Microsoft's Simple SAN program is to help partners deliver solutions that help businesses leverage their Ethernet infrastructure and set up iSCSI SANs in Microsoft Windows Server environments," said Bala Kasiviswanathan, director of branch and storage solutions at Microsoft. "We are pleased that this latest collaboration between Hitachi Data Systems and QLogic is delivering an easy-to-manage and affordable iSCSI SAN solution for Windows Server customers."
The Hitachi Data Systems iSCSI Plug-and-play SAN Kit, like its Fibre Channel predecessor, leverages QLogic connectivity expertise to provide an easy "out-of-box" SAN experience for users. The kit includes everything necessary to connect servers to a first SAN or to extend a SAN from the data center to a distant workgroup. In addition to QLogic SANblade 4050 Series iSCSI HBAs, the kit also includes the Hitachi Data Systems Virtual Disk Service (VDS) hardware provider and a quick-install guide. The iSCSI Plug-and-play kit enables businesses to install a SAN quickly -- in most cases under an hour -- without on-site assistance.
"Since its entry into the storage networking market, Hitachi Data Systems has been a driving force in developing innovative, highly reliable storage solutions," said Amit Vashi, vice president of marketing, QLogic Host Solutions Group. "With the introduction of this complete iSCSI SAN solution, Hitachi Data Systems customers can turn to a single, highly reputable source for all their iSCSI storage networking needs."
SANblade 4050 Series iSCSI HBAs, also available as standalone adapters for use with all Hitachi Data Systems iSCSI storage systems, extend award-winning QLogic Fibre Channel connectivity products to enable Ethernet-based SANs. The hardware-based iSCSI and TCP/IP offload architecture of QLogic iSCSI HBAs offer high performance, low CPU utilization, broad operating system and platform support as well as boot-from-SAN capability.
About QLogic
QLogic is a leading supplier of high-performance storage networking solutions, producing 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, iSCSI routers and storage services platforms for enabling advanced storage management applications. The company is also a leading supplier of InfiniBand switches and InfiniBand host channel adapters for the emerging High Performance Computing Cluster (HPCC) 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, NEC, Network Appliance and Sun Microsystems. QLogic is a member of the S&P 500 Index.
Note: All QLogic-issued press releases appear on the Company's website (www.qlogic.com). Any announcement that does not appear on the QLogic website has not been issued by QLogic.
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; 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. SANblade is a registered trademark in the United States. Other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of the companies with which they are associated.