LSI LOGIC HOST BUS ADAPTERS CERTIFIED INTEROPERABLE WITH BROCADE SILKWORM(r) 12000 SWITCH

 

Fusion-MPT(tm)-based, 2 Gbit PCI-to-Fibre Channel host bus adapters demonstrate interoperability in heterogeneous Brocade-based SAN environments

MILPITAS, Calif. -- June 26, 2002 -LSI Logic (NYSE: LSI) announced today that its Fibre Channel host bus adapters (HBAs), the dual-channel LSI44929O and quad-channel ITI7004G2-LC, have been verified by Brocade Communications Systems, Inc. as interoperable (http://interop.lsilogic.com) with the new SilkWorm 12000 Core Fabric Switch and Brocade-based Storage Area Networking (SAN) infrastructure in testing conducted through the Brocade Fabric Aware(tm) Program, an end-to-end interoperability initiative for enterprise SANs.

The program is a comprehensive testing and configuration initiative designed to foster end-to-end SAN interoperability in multi-vendor Brocade-based SAN environments. LSI Logic's complete line of storage products has Fabric Aware certification with multiple generations of Brocade products.

"We are pleased that LSI Logic's Fusion-MPT based Fibre Channel HBAs have successfully completed the Fabric Aware testing with Brocade fabric switches in heterogeneous SAN environments," said Jay Kidd, Brocade vice president of product marketing. "Storage area networks are being deployed worldwide at a rapid rate as a scalable, high performance networking foundation for storage environments. End users are implementing large fabric SANs comprising hundreds of storage subsystems, servers, and networking technologies, all from multiple vendors. The Fabric Aware program is an example of our continued investment in delivering end-to-end SAN interoperability to our partners and their customers."

Testing of the LSI44929O and ITI7004G2-LC was conducted at the Brocade interoperability labs, which are state-of-the-art facilities supporting end-to-end interoperability and performance testing of SAN products in multi-vendor and large fabric SAN environments. The Brocade Fabric Aware Program has added more than 40 partners since its launch in 2000. In addition, as part of its investment in SAN interoperability, Brocade actively supports its partners' interoperability initiatives.

"Achieving the Brocade Fabric Aware program certification is an important milestone for LSI Logic and our Fibre Channel HBAs," said Robert Anderson, director for the LSI Logic HBA Division. "Proving interoperability in the Brocade labs further reinforces our product engineering excellence and the value we place on participation with Brocade in working to accelerate SAN implementations."

The quad-channel ITI7004G2-LC HBA is designed for the most I/O intensive applications in a high-performance Fibre Channel environment. It is the industry's highest density module with four channels in a PCI short card form factor saving valuable PCI slots and replacing the need for a Fibre Channel router. The LSI44929O HBA is ideal for use in applications such as digital media, data warehousing and data mining. The card comes with an optical connection for long distance application and features a low profile PCI form factor. Both products are 64-bit PCI, 66 MHz with 2 Gbit performance.

About the Brocade Fabric Aware Program

The Brocade Fabric Aware program is a comprehensive testing and configuration initiative designed to foster end-to-end SAN interoperability in multi-vendor storage networking environments. As part of the program, companies agree to test in SAN configurations that comprise a heterogeneous mix of servers, storage subsystems, Brocade fabric switches, and other SAN technologies. Brocade has created an interoperability lab comprising a heterogeneous SAN fabric, in which the company tests and validates partner equipment in specific configurations. Vendors receive Brocade Fabric Aware qualification after completing tests to confirm that vendors' products meet interoperability guidelines. For more information on the Brocade Fabric Aware Program, visit http://www.brocade.com/partners/fabric_aware_program.jhtml.

About the Fusion-MPT (Message Passing Technology) Architecture

Fusion-MPT architecture, using industry standard ARM processor technology, uniquely employs the same device driver that supports Ultra320 SCSI, Serial ATA and Fibre Channel, eliminating the need to develop, install and qualify separate device drivers for each physical interface. The architecture enables OEMs to invest in a single I/O architecture that allows them to choose the best physical interface for their application while retaining the flexibility to migrate to new technologies. LSI Logic considers its Fusion-MPT architecture to be the fastest, most efficient and versatile architecture implemented in high performance I/O controllers today. The architecture will be applied to emerging interface technologies such as Serial Attached SCSI, as products evolve.

About LSI Logic Corporation

LSI Logic Corporation (NYSE: LSI) is a leading designer and manufacturer of communications, consumer and storage semiconductors for applications that access, interconnect and store data, voice and video. In addition, the company supplies storage network solutions for the enterprise. LSI Logic is headquartered at 1621 Barber Lane, Milpitas, http://www.lsilogic.com.

Stephen Greene
Brodeur Worldwide
617.587.2872
sgreene@brodeur.com