NetApp to Resell FCoE Blade for Brocade DCX Backbone

NetApp, Inc. and Brocade Communications Systems, Inc. announced three new Brocade products as part of NetApp’s next-generation Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) product offerings. The new Brocade switch, blade, and converged network adapters (CNAs) continue NetApp’s leadership in FCoE and add to NetApp’s ability to provide customers with flexible, simple, and efficient unified storage.

The new Brocade FCoE products allow customers to bridge their Ethernet and Fibre Channel (FC) networks by offering both 10-Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) and 8Gb FC ports within the same platform, as either a top-of-rack switch or a blade in the Brocade DCX or DCX-4S backbone. At the server level, the Brocade CNAs help customers consolidate their Ethernet and FC cabling by supporting both protocols on the same port. In addition to NetApp’s expanded partnership with Brocade, NetApp also unveiled a new next-generation unified target adapter for its storage systems, switches, and converged network adapters. These solutions allow customers to simplify their IT infrastructure at the server edge while leveraging their existing investments in FC architecture.

"Brocade and NetApp have long shared a goal of helping our mutual customers drive out costs through consolidation, and this offering is the latest example of our collaborative efforts," said Marc Randall, senior vice president, Products and Offerings division at Brocade. "Today’s announcement extends our commitment to a customer-driven approach to providing solutions that support emerging technologies that protect and enhance existing data center investments."

NetApp has been an innovator in the Ethernet space since the company was founded. NetApp continues to be a leader with 10GbE and next-generation FCoE offerings, helping customers reduce cost and complexity while meeting high bandwidth storage system requirements. Recently, the company was listed as a leader in the InfoPro Wave 12 survey for 10GbE. NetApp and Brocade have been active participants in the development of the Fibre Channel over Ethernet standard, which was recently completed and unanimously approved as a final standard by the FC-BB-5 working group of the T11 Technical Committee.

"ESG believes that FCoE will fuel a new wave of data center consolidation as it lowers complexity, increases efficiency, improves utilization, and ultimately reduces power, space, and cooling requirements," said Brian Garrett, technical director, Enterprise Strategy Group Lab. "With a legacy of Ethernet-based innovation and excellence, NetApp is a natural fit for FCoE Leveraging industry standard 10-Gigabit Ethernet technology, combined with FCoE connectivity from NetApp’s long-standing partner Brocade, customers can look forward to seamless, simple savings."

"As we see the popularity and demand for Ethernet grow by leaps and bounds, our technology and partnerships are growing to meet customer needs," said Patrick Rogers, vice president of Solutions Marketing for NetApp. "With a strong relationship that dates back to 2001, Brocade and NetApp are committed to working together to help promote and advance FCoE technology, enabling customers to consolidate and streamline their data centers."

The Brocade 8000 FCoE switch and the Brocade 1020 CNA will be available from NetApp in August. The Brocade FCoE blade for the DCX and the DCX-4S is planned to be available in September 2009.

To watch Jay Kidd, CMO at NetApp and Ian Whiting, senior vice president of Worldwide Sales at Brocade discuss FCoE

To watch the NetApp Play-by-Play ‘Using FCoE for Server I/O Consolidation’

To watch Dave Stevens, CTO at Brocade, discuss FCoE at Brocade Tech Day