SANcastle(TM) Technologies today announced its first product offering, the GFS-8(TM). The company claims that the GFS-8 is the first global fabric switch for high performance storage networks.
According to the company the GFS-8 translates IP protocols for both Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) and Fibre Channel (FC), seamlessly integrating disparate networks and protocols.
The says the GFS-8 offers three major options for users. For users who want to interconnect SAN Islands, GFS-8 can be configured to provide point to point SAN Island integration across MANs or WANs. It also supports e-port for inter-switch connectivity with other Fibre Channel switches and autonomous region naming, and guarantees delivery and order of packets. This allows not only remote connectivity, but also disparate island connectivity for enterprises that have already deployed different configurations for various SAN islands.
The switch will be priced between $32,000 and $38,000 depending on port configuration. It can be configured with 1, 2 or 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports and the remaining ports Fibre Channel. The GFS-8 is undergoing its final beta testing at several customer field locations and should be generally available next month.