September 23, 1999 08:37
Brocade Fibre Channel Switches Ship in Volume Production With IBM
Enterprise SAN Solutions
Brocade-Based Fibre Channel Fabric Solutions Enable E-Business Applications For IBM SAN Customers
SAN JOSE, Calif., Sept. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Brocade Communications Systems, Inc. (BROCADE(R))
(Nasdaq: BRCD), the leading supplier of Fibre Channel fabric solutions for Storage Area Networking,
announced today that IBM is now shipping the BROCADE SilkWorm(R) 2400 and 2800 Fibre Channel
Switches as part of the IBM Enterprise Storage Area Network solutions. Building on an OEM agreement
signed between the two companies earlier this year, the IBM SAN Fibre Channel Switch models S08 and
S16, based on BROCADE SilkWorm 2400 and 2800, became generally available on September 17, 1999.
The BROCADE SilkWorm(R) family of Fibre Channel switches and software connects servers with storage
devices through a Fibre Channel storage area network (SAN) and allows companies to access and share
storage in a high-performance, manageable, and scalable environment. BROCADE solutions are available
through IBM and other leading OEM partners and systems integrators.
The IBM SAN Fibre Channel Switch provides Fibre Channel fabric connectivity between IBM supported
servers and storage devices. The IBM SAN Fibre Channel Switch supports Intel-based servers running
Windows NT and UNIX-based servers; Fibre Channel-attached disk storage, including IBM Fibre Channel
RAID Storage Server, and IBM Netfinity Fibre Channel RAID controllers; the IBM SAN Data Gateway for
attachment of IBM Enterprise Storage Server and Versatile Storage Server disk systems; and tape systems
and libraries.
"The shipment of the IBM SAN Fibre Channel Switch is the next step in our relationship with IBM as a
premier supplier of Fibre Channel fabric solutions to the IBM customer base. We are pleased that this
valuable partner is incorporating BROCADE products into their product line and delivering leading, open,
interoperable storage area networking solutions to the market," said Peter Tarrant, BROCADE vice
president of marketing and business development.
About BROCADE SilkWorm 2400 and 2800 Switches
The SilkWorm 2400 and 2800 models are, respectively, eight- and sixteen -port, Fibre Channel fabric
switches that provide universal ports for simplified installation, hardware port zoning for optimal security,
and "hot-swappable" redundant components -- including power supplies and cooling trays -- which
optimize serviceability.
BROCADE SilkWorm switches leverage Fabric OS(TM) 2.0, which is unique embedded software that
provides a set of management and fabric services. Fabric OS services include sophisticated routing
protocols to simplify the construction of fabrics, which may comprise thousands of storage devices and
hosts in a SAN.
This news release contains forward-looking statements based on current expectations that involve risks
and uncertainties. BROCADE's actual results may differ materially from the results discussed in the
forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include risks surrounding the
development of the emerging market for storage area networks and for SAN switching products, the timely
development, production and acceptance of new products and services, and BROCADE's ability to compete
in a highly competitive and rapidly changing marketplace. These and other risks are detailed in
BROCADE's prospectus dated May 24, 1999, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
BROCADE assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking information contained in this press
release.
About Brocade Communications Systems, Inc.
BROCADE is the leading supplier of open Fibre Channel fabric solutions that provide the intelligent
backbone for Storage Area Networks (SANs). The BROCADE SilkWorm(R) family of Fibre Channel switches
and BROCADE SAN management software are designed to optimize data availability in the storage
enterprise. Using BROCADE solutions, companies can simplify the implementation of Storage Area
Networks, reduce the total cost of ownership of data storage environments, and improve network and
application efficiency and performance.
BROCADE is committed to maintaining open, standards-based solutions. Leading systems, applications,
and storage vendors have selected BROCADE as their Fibre Channel connectivity standard, including CNT,
CLARiiON, Compaq Computer, Data General Corporation, Dell Computer, Groupe Bull, IBM, McDATA
Corporation, NEC, Network Appliance, Sequent, Siemens Computer Systems, Silicon Graphics, and
StorageTek. In addition, BROCADE counts industry leaders Computer Associates, Emulex, Legato, QLogic,
Tivoli Systems, and VERITAS among its strategic partners.
The company's headquarters is at 1901 Guadalupe Parkway, San Jose, CA 95131. Visit BROCADE at
brocade.com, or contact the company at info@brocade.com.
NOTE: BROCADE, SilkWorm, SilkWorm Express, Fabric Integrator, Fabric OS, and FABRIC 2000 are
trademarks or registered trademarks of Brocade Communications Systems Incorporated, in the United
States and/or in other countries. All other brands, products, or service names are or may be trademarks or
service marks of, and are used to identify, products or services of their respective owners.
SOURCE Brocade Communications Systems, Inc.
/CONTACT: media, Jennifer Hart, Trainer Public Relations, 415-440-2208,
or Jennifer@trainerpr.com, for Brocade Communications Systems, Inc.; or
investors, Mike Byrd of Brocade Communications Systems, Inc., 408-487-8184,
or Mbyrd@brocade.com/
/Web site: brocade.com
(BRCD)
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