Brocade intros 16 Gbps FC SAN switch

NEW DELHI, INDIA: Networking company Brocade announced a new entry-level fibre channel SAN switch, Brocade 6505. The new switch is based on the new 16 Gbps fibre channel standard.

Brocade has added virtualization functionality between Brocade adapters and switches to simplify server deployment and management.

It is configurable in 12 or 24 ports and supports 2, 4, 8 or 16 Gbps speeds in an efficiently designed 1U package. The Brocade 6505 joins other members of the Brocade SAN family, which includes the Brocade 6510 Switch, configurable between 24 and 48 ports, and the Brocade DCX 8510 Backbone, available in 4- and 8-slot configurations.

The Brocade embedded switches offer up to 48 ports and support 4, 8 or 16 Gbps performance.

It features a new port type, Diagnostic Ports (D_Ports), which enables administrators to quickly identify and isolate optics and cable problems, significantly reducing fabric deployment and diagnostic times.

Brocade is also extending its fibre channel backbone and switch products to its adapter family, which provides unique benefits to organizations deploying an all-Brocade SAN fabric.
Brocade adapters now also feature the Brocade Diagnostic Ports capability, previously offered only on switches, so administrators can quickly identify and isolate problems for optics and cables.

The company announced IBM as its first OEM partner to offer 16 Gbps fibre channel embedded switches and adapters, as well as stand-alone network adapters, for IBM servers.

IBM is making available a new Brocade custom embedded 16 Gbps SAN switch and mezzanine card for its recently announced IBM Flex System x240 Compute Node, a component of the new IBM PureSystems.

In addition, Brocade stand-up 16 Gbps HBAs are now available for integration with IBM System x in rack and tower form factors.

They easily connect IBM Flex System blade servers to SAN fabric. The mezzanine adapter (dual-port) support 8 or 16 Gbps speeds and the stand-up adapters (single- and dual-port) support 2, 4, 8 or 16 Gbps speeds, with each port capable of 5,00,000 IOPS.

The new Brocade 6505 Switch and upgraded capabilities for extending SAN fabric benefits to servers are available now through Brocade channel and OEM partners, including EMC, Fujitsu, HP, HDS and NetApp.

Brocade embedded switches and mezzanine adapters for integration into IBM Flex System blade servers will be available in May and Fibre Channel HBAs for IBM System x rack and tower servers are available now.