QLogic Validates FCoE With HP Storage

QLogic Corp. announced the results of the Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) Test Drive, conducted June 4-7, 2008, in San Diego. Based on the results, QLogic, along with HP and 12 other vendors, validated that FCoE networks are compatible with existing Fibre Channel storage, enabling quick adoption by customers.

The test results showed that QLogic Converged Network Adaptors (CNAs), HP StorageWorks Enterprise Virtual Arrays, and HP StorageWorks media storage libraries and software management applications easily recognized Fibre Channel and FCoE devices, with the FCoE network simply appearing as a Fibre Channel network. The FCoE devices test proved to be 100 percent compatible with existing Fibre Channel products.

"FCoE is ready to be tested by those customers that want to run their storage traffic over a single 10GbE converged fabric," said Dennis Martin, founder and president of computer industry analyst firm Demartek, a third-party auditor of the test drive. "During the FCoE Test Drive, we found that all applications ran correctly, unaware of any difference in the underlying hardware interface. While we recognize that enterprise infrastructures take a number of years to change and some minor protocol issues still need to be resolved, we believe that FCoE will soon take its place as a viable, stable enterprise-ready protocol, especially as enterprises consider and deploy 10Gb Enhanced Ethernet networks."

"This test drive shows how the ability to converge storage and data networking traffic through a single adapter can greatly simplify life in the data center," said Joe Kimpler, director of business alliances, QLogic Corp. "Because the operating system interfaces to the CNA using the same proven software stack as QLogic Fibre Channel adapters, nothing changes for customers as they move to implement FCoE. The positive results from all FCoE Test Drive participants, including major companies like HP, indicate great potential for early adoption of FCoE products."

"Customers that want to take advantage of the cost and management savings of FCoE technology can easily do so. The validated protocol ensures compatibility with existing Fibre Channel storage," said Sean Fitzpatrick, Storage Area Network Infrastructure Business Planning, HP StorageWorks. "Based on the positive testing results, HP ensures faster adoption of FCoE for customers who need to upgrade their SAN environment to meet their growing business needs."

Other FCoE Test Drive participants included Cisco, Computer Associates, DataDirect Networks, EMC, FalconStor, Finisar, Infortrend, LSI, Microsoft, MiraLink, NetApp, Promise Technology and Symantec.

Learn more about the FCoE Test Drive