QLogic Introduces Industry's First 8Gb Fibre Channel/Ethernet ExpressModule for Sun Blade Systems

QLogic Corp. (Nasdaq:QLGC), a leading supplier of high performance network infrastructure solutions, today announced the industry's first combination 8Gb Fibre Channel/1Gb Ethernet ExpressModule for Sun Microsystems' Sun Blade(TM) 6000 systems. Like its 4Gb Fibre Channel predecessor, the second-generation, plug-and-play QEM3572 ExpressModule, available from Sun as the Sun StorageTek(TM) Dual 8Gb Fibre Channel Dual GbE ExpressModule Host Bus Adapter, consolidates Ethernet and Fibre Channel connectivity onto a single card. This consolidation increases I/O density, maximizes server space and provides customers with greater flexibility.

The Sun Blade 6000 Modular System is designed to support highly capable server blades based on UltraSPARC(R), Intel(R) Xeon(R) and AMD Opteron(TM) processors in the Solaris(TM) Operating System, Windows, Linux and VMware environments. In combination with the Sun Blade Virtualized Network Express Module, it is ideal for consolidation and virtualizing a wide variety of applications from the web to the back office.

With two 1Gb Ethernet ports and two 8Gb Fibre Channel ports, the ExpressModule unlocks the full virtualization capabilities of servers such as the Sun Blade X6270 server module, based on the Intel Xeon processor 5500 series. The combination of QLogic(R) 8Gb Fibre Channel and Sun Blade 6000 servers provides enterprises with the ability to set up the maximum possible number of virtual machines per worldwide name. Based on the PCIe ExpressModule open industry standard, the QLogic adapter can be added to or removed from a Sun Blade server without powering down the server, ensuring maximum uptime.

"Servers such as the Sun Blade X6270 based on the Intel Xeon processor 5500 series, along with virtualization solutions like VMware and Microsoft Hyper-V, are driving a shift to 8Gb Fibre Channel," said Amit Vashi, vice president of marketing, Host Solutions Group, QLogic. "In the 8Gb era, we are once again first-to-market with a Fibre Channel/Ethernet ExpressModule for Sun Blade servers. Combined with the high-powered, multi-core Sun Blade 6000 series, the QEM3572 ExpressModule will meet the demands of bandwidth-hungry applications such as virtualization, disk-to-disk replication, video post production and cloud computing environments."

"Sun Blade 6000 servers with multi-core processing power provide customers with a complete eco-system that includes servers, networking and storage, virtualization, and simplified data management," said Dimitrios Dovas, director, x64 rackmount, Blades and Networking, Sun Microsystems. "Building on its non-proprietary ExpressModule architecture, QLogic has doubled Fibre Channel bandwidth with the latest version of this space-saving solution for storage and data networking."

Designed to protect existing investments and avoid "forklift" replacements, the QEM3572 ExpressModule provides full backward compatibility with legacy 2Gb and 4Gb Fibre Channel devices while enabling a pathway to high-performance 8Gb connectivity. Like QLogic's market-leading 2500 Series 8Gb Fibre Channel host bus adapters, the QEM3572 is easy to manage and extremely energy efficient. In addition the QEM3572 is optimized for security, reliability, availability and serviceability with features such as SAN-level authentication and overlapping protection domains.

The QLogic QEM3572 ExpressModule is based on QLogic's market-leading, battle-tested Fibre Channel technology. With more than 10 years of field-proven interoperability and performance-tuning efforts, QLogic Fibre Channel technology ensures an optimal out-of-the-box, end-user experience. Compatible with 2Gb and 4Gb Fibre Channel solutions as well as Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) converged network adapters, QLogic 8Gb Fibre Channel technology delivers the performance critical to successful deployments in multi-workload virtualized environments. QLogic 8Gb Fibre Channel technology includes numerous enterprise-class features such as Message Signaled Interrupts (MSI-X) capabilities to optimize CPU performance, and Solaris Multiplexed I/O (MPxIO) failover for high availability, as well as the ability to address up to 16,000 LUNs per target, enabling deployment of large datacenter SAN fabrics.

Follow QLogic @ twitter.com/qlogic

About QLogic

QLogic (Nasdaq:QLGC) is a global leader and technology innovator in high performance networking, including adapters, switches and ASICs. Leading OEMs and channel partners worldwide rely on QLogic products for their data, storage and server networking solutions. QLogic is a NASDAQ Global Select company and is included in the S&P 500. For more information, visit www.qlogic.com.

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: declines in information technology spending levels; potential fluctuations in operating results; gross margins that may vary over time; the stock price of the company may be volatile; the company's dependence on the networking markets served; 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 small 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; the company's dependence on sole source and limited source suppliers; the company's dependence on relationships with certain third-party subcontractors and contract manufacturers; declines in the market value of the company's investment securities; the complexity of the company's products; sales fluctuations arising from customer transitions to new products; changes in the company's tax provisions or adverse outcomes resulting from examination of its income tax returns; 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 regulations or standards regarding energy use of the company's products; 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. Other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of the companies with which they are associated.

This news release was distributed by GlobeNewswire, www.globenewswire.com

SOURCE: QLogic Corp.

CONTACT:  QLogic Corporation
Media Contact:
Steve Zivanic
408.667.8039
steve.zivanic@qlogic.com
Investor Contact:
Simon Biddiscombe
949.389.7533
simon.biddiscombe@qlogic.com

Related terms: architecture, bandwidth, business, computer, contract, data storage, energy, Ethernet, financial results, information technology, investment, knowledge management, linux, market, marketing, nasdaq, networking, operating system, politics, president, prices, products, regulations, sales, securities, security, software, standards, tampering, tax, technology, video