BROCADE SOLUTIONware Reduces Time to Market for Storage Area
Networks by 33 Percent
Industry-First 'How-To Manuals' Ensure Hassle-Free SAN Deployment for BROCADE Fabric Integrator Partners
SAN JOSE, Calif., Feb. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- 1999-Brocade Communications Systems, Inc., (BROCADE(R)) the
leading supplier of Fibre Channel Fabric switches for Storage Area Networking (SAN) announced today the
availability of BROCADE SOLUTIONware. Available to certified BROCADE Fabric Integrator(TM) partners,
BROCADE SOLUTIONware offers the industry's first packaged "how-to manuals" that facilitate the deployment of
Fibre Channel devices in a storage area network and reduce time to market for storage area networks by as
much as 33 percent.
The BROCADE SOLUTIONware library comprises multiple application notes that are designed to simplify the
integration, configuration, and testing process for deploying storage area networks. Each application note
documents a business-critical SAN solution, such as LAN-free backup and restore in heterogeneous
environments. Through BROCADE SOLUTIONware, end-user customers can greatly reduce the SAN testing
and integration process to gain immediate benefit from storage area networks. Systems integrators can
leverage SOLUTIONware to reduce the learning curve for SANs and significantly decrease deployment time.
BROCADE SOLUTIONware is a core component of FABRIC 2000(TM), which is BROCADE's strategic
framework to maintain an open, standards-based approach for SANs.
Based on months of intensive testing and integration, each SOLUTIONware application note provides step by
step instructions on how to integrate and configure a wide range of devices with BROCADE Fibre Channel
switches in a storage area network. BROCADE has pre-configured and thoroughly documented the most
common SAN configurations with BROCADE Fibre Channel Fabric switches and market-leading server and
backup solutions. The first available SOLUTIONware guide is the Fibre Channel Tape Backup and Restore
Solution for LAN-free backup and restore operations. SOLUTIONware is available today to certified BROCADE
Fabric Integrator partners. BROCADE expects to expand the SOLUTIONware library throughout 1999 and
beyond.
"BROCADE is packaging our extensive storage connectivity experience for easy implementation by our Fabric
Integrator partners," said Peter Tarrant, vice president of marketing and business development for BROCADE.
"For the first time, BROCADE SOLUTIONware makes storage area networking an attractive option for every
systems integrator."
"One of the most significant barriers to deployment of SANs is the complexity of integrating and networking
storage devices, servers, and connectivity components," said Sean Derrington, Senior Research Analyst, META
Group. "Simplifying the deployment of Storage Area Networks will reduce the cost of storage solutions for both
systems integrators and end-user customers."
BROCADE Fabric Integrators comment on BROCADE SOLUTIONware:
"Cranel will integrate SOLUTIONware into our existing Solutions Assurance Methodology," said Scott Slack, vice
president of Marketing at Cranel. "Our disciplined approach to delivering complex storage management
implementations, combined with BROCADE's SOLUTIONware, will help to expedite the delivery of the solution
and ensure customer satisfaction."
"With data recognized as a valuable corporate asset, storage management now takes on a strategic role.
Storage area networking is a critical component of this strategy," said Scott Robinson, vice president of
engineering, Datalink. "BROCADE SOLUTIONware accelerates our SAN deployment and shortens our time to
market for SAN solutions by as much as 60 days. We are excited to be a part of the BROCADE Fabric Integrator
program."
"With BROCADE SOLUTIONware, we enable our customers to more quickly realize the cost saving benefits of
PDC's total storage management solution," said Bob Bonocore, CEO of PDC Solutions, Inc. "BROCADE
SOLUTIONware extends our expertise, developed over the past 12 years, in delivering robust backup and
recovery solutions. The comprehensive methodologies of BROCADE SOLUTIONware accelerate the
deployment of SANs for both the integrator and the enterprise customer."
"Polaris Storage Networks Services welcomes the introduction of BROCADE SOLUTIONware as an extremely
effective way to demonstrate the viability of storage area networks in heterogeneous environments," said Dick
Sullivan, general manager, Polaris Storage Networks Services. "These solutions make it much easier to apply
Fibre Channel Fabric technology to address some of our clients most critical IT needs."
"Storage area networks are a strategic part of our customers' data center strategies," said Dan Gittleman, CEO,
RAID Power. "As a leading value-added reseller, RAID Power is pleased to be part of the BROCADE Fabric
Integrator program. SOLUTIONware will reduce our SAN deployment effort significantly. The SOLUTIONware
guides simplify the SAN implementation for our customers and result in more reliable and scalable storage
solutions."
The BROCADE Fabric Integrator Program
The BROCADE Fabric Integrator program is open to qualified systems integrators that are deploying storage
area networking environments. To become certified, systems integrators receive in-depth technical training on
BROCADE solutions and SAN configuration and integration. Other Fabric Integrator partner program benefits
include cooperative marketing programs, in-depth sales training, support from BROCADE technical experts, and
access to the BROCADE SOLUTIONware library. For more information on becoming a certified BROCADE
Fabric Integrator, contact BROCADE at channelsales@brocade.com.
About Brocade Communications Systems, Inc.
BROCADE is the leading supplier of Fibre Channel fabric solutions, which provide the intelligent backbone for
Storage Area Networks (SANs). According to International Data Corporation, BROCADE supplies 84 percent of
the Fibre Channel switches in use at corporate data centers worldwide. BROCADE manufactures and markets
the SilkWorm(R) family of Fibre Channel switches and SAN management software 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.
Founded in 1995, BROCADE is a privately held company. 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.
BROCADE, SilkWorm, SilkWorm Express, Fabric Integrator 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. |
