McDATA Corp. and QLogic Corp. have formed a joint program for interoperability between the companies’ switch products.
The companies said this program builds on the successful FC-SW-2 switch compatibility already achieved by the two companies. The program sets a baseline for further enhanced interoperability features such as mixed fabric security functions and zoning through management applications such as McDATA’s SANavigator software platform. The companies claim customers benefit from switch interoperability with improved investment protection and the flexibility to customize their SAN performance and functionality on an ongoing basis.
“It’s clear the Fibre Channel business is finally maturing. We’re seeing the two major issues with adoption finally being dealt with — cost and complexity,” said Steve Duplessie, founder and senior analyst, Enterprise Storage Group. “This announcement is an example of how two powerhouses at each end of the spectrum are making sure their products work together seamlessly in a user’s world, and that’s exactly what the users want.”
McDATA switched fabric solutions include the Intrepid 6000 Series Directors and the Sphereon 3000 Series Fabric Switches. QLogic fabric solutions include its family of SANboxand SANbox2 edge switch products and embedded fabric solutions that include SANblade host bus adapters and bladed switches.