SAN Solution Providers Give Top Marks to New Vixel Fibre Channel Switch;
Vixel 8100 Switch Provides Superior Interoperability, Connectivity, and
Affordability
May 18, 1999 15:48
BOTHELL, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 18, 1999--Vixel Corporation today announced the general release of
its next generation true-fabric switch, the Vixel 8100.
The new switch offers IT managers an unbeatable, cost-effective starting-point to implement fast, interoperable,
and scalable switched-Fibre Channel networks. The Vixel 8100 to features "drop-in switching" which provides
for the simplest possible migration from an arbitrated loop to switched-fabric system. This eliminates the need
to reconfigure other components and delivers maximum speed and scalability to Fibre Channel-based storage
networks.
"The 8100 demonstrates Vixel's ability to provide an integrated suite of SAN interconnect components with
guaranteed interoperability," said Victor Walker, Vice President, Storage Servers Business Unit for Bull. "Vixel's
complete product portfolio will accelerate the adoption of Fibre Channel and shorten time-to-market for
end-to-end SAN providers like Bull.
The Vixel 8100 is currently in evaluation for use by Storage Area Network (SAN) and post-production solution
providers including Amdahl, Andataco, Avid Technology, Bull, Mercury Computer System, and Rorke Data. "Vixel
Fibre Channel switches have brought a new level of performance to the post-production industry, allowing
facilities to take full advantage of leading-edge media networks, like Avid Unity MediaNet," said Jim Frantzreb,
senior product marketing manager, Avid Technology. "The capabilities of the Vixel 8100 put it in the perfect
position to become a tremendous asset for Avid's solutions and customers."
"As a supplier and integrator of storage area network solutions, we rely on companies like Vixel to provide
reliable, interoperable, and scalable Fibre Channel devices," said Joe Rorke, Rorke Data's vice president of
marketing. "The technology of Vixel's 8100 switch, coupled with its exceptional affordability, allows our mutual
customers a cost-effective method to implement storage area networks."
"The combination of the Vixel 8100 and the heterogeneous data sharing capabilities of Mercury's SANergy(TM)
software create a storage area network with unparalleled price/performance for customers in a wide range of
applications," said Bruce Beck, vice president of business development and sales, Mercury Computer Systems'
Shared Storage Business Unit.
Key Benefits of the Vixel 8100:
-- The Vixel 8100's drop-in switching feature delivers the
advantages of dedicated bandwidth to devices that are not
currently fabric-ready, making it possible to move from a pure
hub environment to a switch-and-hub environment without changing
other components in the network.
-- Easy deployment is achieved through flexible configuration for
loop, point-to-point, or interswitch topologies.
-- Complete management of the end-to-end connection within the
storage network via Vixel SAN InSite software, the only
application in the industry that manages hubs, loops switches,
and fabric switches with one tool.
-- Symmetrical line-speed switching delivers full 200 Mbps and full
duplex to sustain maximum performance from any port to any port.
-- Flexible, hot-pluggable, GBIC-based components supports field
configuration and re-configuration.
-- Full-fabric support for large, complex configurations via simple
name server and state change notification.
-- Fully non-blocking architecture and buffering for up to 32
maximum size frames per port allows maximum sustained performance.
-- Zoning as a standard feature provides the highest degree of
security. Zoning allows disparate operating systems, resources,
or departments to attach a single switch with communications
restricted to the assigned zones.
Price and Availability
The Vixel 8100 general release date is June 15, 1999, with a suggested U.S. list price of $8,495.00. OEMs and
resellers should contact Vixel directly at 425/806-5509.
About Vixel Corporation
With more than 500,000-gigabit Fibre Channel ports (hub, switch, point to point) shipped to date, Vixel
Corporation is a leading provider of Fibre Channel interconnect solutions. Since 1991, Vixel's solutions have
met the data-intensive demands of server applications including CAD/CAM, data warehousing, online banking,
real-time medical analysis, and full-motion video. Vixel's complete line of storage interconnect products provides
the IT market with solutions to scale systems from entry-level configurations to high-end fabric switching. Vixel's
Fibre Channel product family of switches, hubs, transceivers, and the industry's only interconnect management
platform to manage the entire loop and switch fabric, provide superior manageability, scalability, and
serviceability. Vixel is headquartered at 11911 North Creek Parkway South, Bothell, Washington 98011 and can
be contacted by phone at 425/806-5509 or email at marketing@vixel.com. More information about Vixel is
located on the company's Web site at vixel.com. |
