QLogic Introduces 10Gb Intelligent Ethernet PCIe Adapters

Complementing its strengths in storage and server networking solutions, QLogic Corp. expanded its data networking portfolio with the introduction of the all-new 3100 Series Intelligent Ethernet Adapters, offering fast 10Gb/sec Ethernet connectivity for bandwidth-intensive applications such as virtualization, database clustering, IP content delivery and grid computing.

QLE3142-SR-CK, a dual port 10GbE PCIe 2.0 adapter
with pluggable SFP+ optical interface
supporting distances up to 300m
 
Optimized for virtual environments – and fully compatible with hypervisors such as VMware VSphere 4.0, Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V and Citrix XenServer 5.2 – the adapters enable the creation of Virtual Private Interfaces, which provide dedicated bandwidth and security for individual applications and improved utilization of existing resources. The adapters are currently available through QLogic channel partners worldwide.
 
According to Dell’Oro Group, 10Gb Ethernet network adapter revenue is expected to increase, on average, by almost 50 percent annually from 2008 to 2013 reaching nearly $800 million. “10Gb Ethernet network adapter port shipments are expected to, on average, almost double annually, reaching over four million ports shipped during the same timeframe,” said Seamus Crehan, vice president, Dell’Oro Group.
 
“The shift toward increased server virtualization, internal and external clouds and the use of SSDs are rapidly driving the need for faster data pipes,” said Deni Connor, senior analyst, Storage Strategies Now. “The performance of Ethernet has consistently evolved and 10Gb Ethernet is optimized for next generation data centers deploying these technologies. With today’s announcement, QLogic is positioned to address the full range of networking requirements—from Fibre Channel to Ethernet to iSCSI to Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) -on a truly global scale.”
 
QLogic 3100 Series Intelligent Ethernet Adapters are low profile Ethernet-to-PCI Express adapters that support advanced protocol offload, significantly improving the throughput performance of servers, server appliances and storage platforms, while reducing host CPU utilization. The adapter architecture consists of fully programmable protocol processing engines that are designed to offload and accelerate processing tasks from layer 3 through layer 7 off the networking stack.
 
“Ten Gigabit Ethernet is gaining momentum and represents an inflection point in networking,” said Dennis Martin, principle contributor at Wikibon.org. “QLogic has strong 10 Gigabit Ethernet adapter offerings right out of the gate, in a market where there is no dominant incumbent. Products like the QLogic 3100 Series promote faster adoption of higher speed networks and allow users to take advantage of a new class of servers which is especially critical in emerging virtualized environments. The introduction of these new Intelligent Ethernet Adapters marks another important step for QLogic as it continues to expand its addressable market.”
 
Introducing QLogic NetSlice Virtualization Technology
In dynamic data center environments, managers need flexible solutions that can evolve along with IT to protect current investments in virtualization and server consolidation. QLogic NetSlice technology addresses these requirements by incorporating a unique degree of programmable support for virtualization in its Intelligent Ethernet Adapters. NetSlice enables the creation of Virtual Private Interfaces, which provide dedicated bandwidth and security for individual applications and improved utilization of existing resources.
 
“We’re very pleased to offer QLogic’s 3100 Series adapters to our customers. The addition of 10GbE technology creates a complete networking solutions portfolio from QLogic. Our customers can now expand their footprint in both existing and new accounts with QLogic,” said Gary Gammon, senior vice president of marketing, Bell Micro, a leading IT distributor.
 
“We are now shipping QLogic 3100 Series Intelligent Ethernet Adapters,” said Thomas Schiffers, founder and vice president of sales, SANDirect. “These innovative solutions allow enterprises and SMBs to consolidate resources in the data center, protect IT investments and streamline server performance.”
 
QLogic is shipping three versions of the 3100 Series
dual port 10Gb Intelligent Ethernet Adapter:

• QLE3142-CU: Direct Attach Copper, designed for cost-effective in-rack connectivity
• QLE3142-SR: Short Range Optical Media, designed for intra-rack and in-datacenter connectivity
• QLE3142-LR: Long Range Optical Media, designed for longer range applications including campus connectivity

As part of today’s news, QLogic also unveiled its new QLE3044-RJ, a quad port 1GbE adapter, part of the new 3000 Series of 1Gb Intelligent Ethernet Adapters targeted specifically at the enterprise virtualization and SMB markets.
 
3000 Series Quad-port 1GbE adapters and 3100 Series dual-port 10GbE adapters use a common set of drivers allowing for easy deployments in mixed 1GbE and 10GbE environments.