re EMC, McData and switched fabric
Bob,
Could you explain what you mean by the statement that the McData / Connectrix product is not a switch fabric? Based on my experience, it supports every Fibre Channel standard that has been published to date that is used to define just what makes a switch fabric. Maybe you're referring to a switch fabric in a different sense than what has been defined by the standards groups.
From a customer perspective, I'd point out that EMC is moving plenty of Connectrix switches at their FC sites. What you are calling a first-generation SAN is more advanced than what the vast majority of SAN buyers are contemplating for purchase today. Technically, you're right about the first-generation, but then we're in the infancy of this particular tornado. If I were EMC, I wouldn't put anything on my web-site that I couldn't deliver tomorrow, either. They don't need to do vaporware, and ruin their rock-solid reputation. EMC also do more interoperability testing with other companies switches and hubs than any other vendor out there, simply to avoid being locked out of ANY storage opportunity.
Finally, where did you hear/get the rumors of EMC actively shopping for another FC switch OEM? The only place, and I mean ONLY, where I have heard this is on the ANCR message boards, and references to those posts. I've seen nothing in the news or at end-user sites to make me believe that EMC is anything but satisfied with McData.
buck |
