Broadcom Demonstrates 10 Gbps iSCSI

Broadcom Corporation announced a demonstration of iSCSI
host bus adapter (HBA) functionality on its 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE)
controller at Storage Networking World conference.

Broadcom
iSCSI HBA functionality has been integrated into its market leading NetXtreme
II converged network interface controllers (C-NICs), and is now available
for 10 Gigabits per second (Gbps) applications.

Broadcom iSCSI HBA functionality enables on-chip processing of the iSCSI
protocol (as well as TCP and IP protocols), which frees up host CPU resources
at 10 Gbps line rates and enables an impressive 400,000 IOPS (input/output
operations per second) over a single Ethernet port(1) while running on
Microsoft® Windows 2008. This functionality provides extended performance
benefits that meet the demands of bandwidth intensive applications requiring
high-performance block storage input/output (I/O). In addition, Broadcom’s
1 GbE C-NIC can deliver an industry-leading performance of 230,000 IOPS
utilizing two 1 Gigabit Ethernet ports. Regardless of network speed, Broadcom
iSCSI HBA delivers performance benefits not obtainable from alternative
solution approaches.

Enterprise networks are well positioned to take advantage of iSCSI
functionality since they are built on top of the highly familiar TCP/IP
protocols and because of the ubiquity and effectiveness of Ethernet. iSCSI
enables storage flexibility as it allows storage content to be accessed from
an Ethernet fabric. The increase from 1 Gbps Ethernet to 10 Gbps Ethernet
delivers increased storage performance levels not previously achievable and
provides sufficient bandwidth to truly become a converging fabric that permits
multiple types of high bandwidth protocol traffic to co-exist on the same
network. As a result, a server can converge networking and storage onto the
same network while lowering the total cost of ownership (TCO), or use a
dedicated network for data and for storage, thereby using the same equipment
for multiple purposes.

Broadcom’s BCM57710 NetXtreme II 10GbE C-NIC will be demonstrated at
Storage Networking World 2008 with full iSCSI HBA functionality. Announced in
May 2007, the BCM57710 became the industry’s first true single-chip, dual-port
10GbE C-NIC specifically designed for high volume servers. Successfully
delivering a single-chip C-NIC supporting 10 Gbps rates, with no external
memory or an additional dedicated HBA adapter required, the BCM57710 lowers
the TCO for iSCSI-based storage networks and provides higher bandwidth and
higher performance.

"iSCSI HBA functionality is a key component of our NetXtreme II C-NIC
technology because it enables iSCSI storage access in a cost effective
manner," said Vinod Lakhani, Senior Director and General Manager of Broadcom’s
High-Speed Controller line of business. "On-chip iSCSI processing frees up
the CPU and allows a new level performance in today’s servers, enabling value
for both 1GbE and 10GbE networks. Broadcom’s ability to provide iSCSI
processing in a single-chip, low-power 10 Gbps solution will help accelerate
the adoption of 10GbE in enterprise networks."

"HP ProLiant server customers have come to expect unmatched reliability
and performance across our portfolio," said John Gromala, Director, ProLiant
Product Marketing, HP. "By lowering CPU utilization through iSCSI offload, we
are looking forward to reaching new levels of performance across our ProLiant
line while helping make storage deployment much more cost effective."

Broadcom Corporation