Ancor Communications and Prisa to Deliver Silicon Graphics SAN Infrastructure
MINNEAPOLIS, Dec. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Ancor Communications, (Nasdaq: ANCR), a leading Fibre Channel switch provider, announced today it has formed an OEM agreement with Prisa Networks, a leading Fibre Channel solutions provider, to deliver Fibre Channel storage-area network (SAN) infrastructure to Silicon Graphics, Inc. customers.
Under the agreement, Ancor and Prisa will supply major components to a fully integrated and tested Fibre Channel SAN infrastructure as part of Silicon Graphics(R) Bandwidth Solutions program. The agreement leverages the large installed base of Prisa and Silicon Graphics customers, and with the inclusion of Ancor's GigWorks(TM) MKII switch, provides a much greater level of performance by offering an integrated storage area network infrastructure based on a switched fabric.
Ancor's MKII switches eliminate bottlenecks caused by rapidly escalating data storage demands and bandwidth-intensive applications that exceed the capabilities of traditional data communications technologies. MKII switches provide a faster, more scalable solution for moving large-frame data files among storage devices, servers and workstations -- one that can provide a common connection to all nodes in the enterprise. Coupled with Prisa's NetFX series of adapters, the MKII provides an infrastructure for a very high performing Silicon Graphics SAN.
"Our customers are experiencing explosive growth in disk storage needs, making storage management and timely server backup a major issue," stated Anne Vincenti-Lambert, Director, Storage and Networking Marketing, Silicon Graphics. "They demand high-speed access to stored data that can scale as their storage needs increase. They also want to re-centralize their storage to simplify storage management and reduce total cost of ownership. Fibre Channel can deliver the functionality required to meet these demands."
Although hardware and software based on Fibre Channel is commonly available within the industry, the technology is not at the "plug and play" status of standard SCSI. "We wanted to deliver a robust solution to our customers today," said Vincenti-Lambert. "Fibre Channel pioneers Ancor and Prisa, companies whose products have proven interoperability, provide the basis for high-performance, highly available storage access." Products from all three companies are currently interoperating at customer sites.
"Partnering with Ancor and Silicon Graphics allows us to offer our digital media and enterprise customers the flexibility and scalability this best-of-class SAN infrastructure can offer," said Marc Friedmann, Prisa's president. "Prisa's role will include assembling, testing and shipping SAN products to Silicon Graphics and their customers. We are pleased to be partnered with a best-of-breed company like Ancor in this new venture."
According to Carla Kennedy, Ancor's Vice President of Marketing, "Ancor is excited to team with industry leaders Prisa and Silicon Graphics to deliver an integrated solution that is even better than the sum of its very excellent parts. By implementing a switched fabric rather than a hub at the center of the network, this is the first packaged SAN solution that truly delivers on the promise of Fibre Channel."
About Ancor Communications
Ancor Communications, Inc. provides GigWorks high-performance storage and data-intensive network solutions based on Fibre Channel technology. The company was the first to deliver a Fibre Channel switch, and the first to top the one-gigabit performance level. Ancor is a member of the Fibre Channel Association, the Storage Network Industry Association, the ANSI Standards Committee and the University of New Hampshire Fibre Channel Consortium to promote the advancement of Fibre Channel standards and interoperability. Information on Ancor is available on the World Wide Web at ancor.com.
About Prisa Networks
Prisa Networks develops and integrates reliable and cost effective, high-speed Storage Area Network infrastructure based on Fibre Channel technology for digital media and enterprise applications where large data files must be moved or shared across computer and storage networks. An ISO-9000 compliant company, Prisa Fibre Channel products and solutions support high-performance file management and transfer requirements for post-production, broadcast, oil and gas seismic analysis, visual simulation, telemetry, medical imaging, corporate video and webcasting applications. Corporate headquarters are located at 5897 Oberlin Drive, Suite 211, San Diego, CA 92121. Phone: 619-677-0030; FAX: 619-677-9099. Web site is www.prisa.com. Prisa is a member of the ANSI X3T11 standards body, Fibre Channel Association (FCA), and the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE).
About Silicon Graphics
Silicon Graphics, Inc. is a leading supplier of visual computing and high-performance systems. The company offers the broadest range of products in the industry -- from low-end desktop workstations to servers and high-end supercomputers. Key industries include communications, energy, entertainment, government, manufacturing and sciences. Silicon Graphics and its subsidiaries have offices throughout the world and corporate headquarters in Mountain View, Calif.
NOTE: GigWorks, ANCOR(TM) and the Ancor logo are the marks and property of Ancor Communications, Inc. Silicon Graphics and the Silicon Graphics logo are registered trademarks, and Origin and Origin2000 are trademarks of Silicon Graphics, Inc.
For more information about Fibre Channel technology and Ancor Fibre Channel solutions, call 800-342-7379 or access World Wide Web site ancor.com.
Forward-looking statements as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 are qualified by the risk factors outlined in the documents Ancor Communications, Inc. files with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
SOURCE Ancor Communications, Inc.
CO: Ancor Communications, Inc.; Prisa Networks; Silicon Graphics, Inc.
ST: California, Minnesota
IN: CPR MLM TLS
SU:
12/15/98 08:59 EST prnewswire.com |
