Brocade Entry-Level 16Gb FC SAN Switch 6505

Brocade Communications Systems, Inc. announced an entry-level FC SAN switch, the Brocade 6505 switch, to its suite of SAN switches and backbones.

This addition increases customer choice for data center consolidation. In addition, Brocade has added new virtualization functionality between adapters and switches to simplify server deployment and management.

Brocade also announced IBM Corp. as its first OEM partner to offer 16 Gbps FC embedded switches and adapters, as well as stand-alone network adapters, for IBM servers. Specifically, IBM is making available a new Brocade custom embedded 16 Gbps SAN switch and mezzanine card for its recently announced IBM Flex System x240 Compute Node, a component of the new IBM PureSystems. In addition, 16 Gbps HBAs are now available for integration with IBM System x in rack and tower form factors.

"For highly virtualized environments like ours, the network matters," said Haim Glickman, regional VP, Southeastern Operations at SunGard Availability Services. "In building out our data center environment across multiple locations, we deployed Brocade SAN switches to deliver greater bandwidth and resiliency for our enterprise-ready disaster recovery services."

Fabric-based networks are a requirement in supporting highly virtualized data centers and private cloud environments, and are a critical element of the Brocade One strategy for providing low-latency, non-stop and easy-to-operate networks.

Brocade 6505 SAN Switch
The entry-level Brocade 6505 switch provides price/performance value and enterprise functionality. It is configurable in 12 or 24 ports and supports 2, 4, 8 or 16 Gbps speeds in an 1U package. The 6505 joins other members of the Brocade SAN family, which includes the 6510 switch, configurable between 24 and 48 ports, and the DCX 8510 backbone, available in 4- and 8-slot configurations.

More enterprises are now deploying cloud and virtualization in their data centers. As a result, demand for FC storage technology is increasing, along with acceleration in the adoption of 16 Gbps-based SAN products. Features of Brocade SAN solutions that customers are realizing value from include second-generation inter-chassis links that enable flatter, faster, and simpler fabrics with fewer cables that increase consolidation, while reducing network complexity and costs. In addition, a new port type, Diagnostic Ports (D_Ports), enables administrators to identify and isolate optics and cable problems, reducing fabric deployment and diagnostic times.

According to the Dell’Oro Group(SAN Quarterly Summary Q4 2011, Dell’Oro Group, March 2, 2012, Pg. 3), "Both FC switch revenue and port shipments reached record levels in 4Q11. FC switch revenue increased 13% Q/Q to $509 M on 1.8 M ports shipped. Looking closer at FC switch revenue, we see that growth was broad-based, and came from both modular and fixed switches. Brocade saw a 15% Q/Q increase in FC switch revenue, as it continued to ramp its 16 Gbps switches."

Extending Cloud-Optimized SAN Functionality
to IBM Servers
Brocade is also extending the benefits of its FC backbone and switch products to its adapter family, which provides benefits to organizations deploying an all-Brocade SAN fabric. Enhancements to Brocade adapters include dynamic fabric provisioning, which virtualizes connections between the Brocade adapters and switches to simplify server deployment and reconfiguration.

Simplified deployments are achieved by automating time-intensive processes and dependencies between storage and server administrators when installing new or replacement equipment or moving devices within a switch. Brocade adapters now also feature the Brocade Diagnostic Ports capability, previously offered only on switches, so administrators can identify and isolate problems for optics and cables.

In addition, IBM is now offering OEM versions of Brocade embedded switches and mezzanine HBAs based on the 16 Gbps FC standard for integration with the new IBM Flex System x240 Compute Node, a high-performance server that offers outstanding performance for virtualization with new levels of CPU performance, memory capacity, and flexible configuration options. IBM also recently launched single- and dual-port Brocade 16 Gbps stand-up HBAs for IBM System x rack and tower servers.

The Brocade embedded switch and mezzanine HBA improve performance by eliminating over-subscription and lowering costs by reducing the number of required external ports, optics, cables and power. They also provide investment protection by supporting increased virtual machine densities and next-generation technologies such as solid state storage arrays.

The Brocade embedded switches offer up to 48 ports and support 4, 8 or 16 Gbps performance. They connect IBM Flex System blade servers to the SAN fabric to allow reliability, flexibility and optimized performance for cloud applications. The mezzanine adapter (dual-port) support 8 or 16 Gbps speeds and the stand-up adapters (single- and dual-port) support 2, 4, 8 or 16 Gbps speeds, with each port capable of 500,000 IOPS.

The Brocade 6505 switch and upgraded capabilities for extending SAN fabric benefits to servers are available now through Brocade channel and OEM partners, including EMC, Fujitsu, HP, HDS and NetApp.

Brocade embedded switches and mezzanine adapters for integration into IBM Flex System blade servers will be available in May and FC HBAs for IBM System x rack and tower servers are available.