EMC Delivers World's First Multivendor Switch Interoperability for Open Networked Storage; Breakthrough Ensures Customer Choice, Simplified Management and Investment Protection.

Business/Technology Editors

NETWORLD+INTEROP 2001

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 8, 2001

In its ongoing drive to provide the most open networked storage, EMC Corporation today announced the world's first implementation of fully tested, standards-based interoperability between Fibre Channel switching devices from multiple vendors. This breakthrough in technology and industry cooperation enables EMC(R) customers to leverage investments in their preferred switching devices and achieve the frictionless flow of information vital to building and maintaining competitive advantage.

The initial implementation of the new capability, also referred to as "E-Port" interoperability, provides seamless, EMC-tested integration between Fibre Channel devices and software from Brocade Communication Systems, Inc. and McDATA Corporation, as well as EMC's own Connectrix(TM) directors and switches. The new functionality simplifies and streamlines time-to-solution, enhances the productivity of IT management staff, and speeds return on information.

Jim Rothnie, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of EMC, said, "To provide seamless, easily managed networked storage, vendors must hurdle five major obstacles: (1) test and qualify storage systems from multiple vendors in a single SAN environment, which EMC completed earlier this year; (2) provide the ability to identify and manage multivendor storage zones, which we delivered recently with ESN manager; (3) integrate NAS and SAN into a single networked storage environment, which we've done with our new HighRoad software; and (4) scale geographically by integrating DWDM and IP technologies, which we've delivered through our work with Cisco, CNT, Lucent, Nortel and others. Fifth, deliver interoperability among multivendor switches within the SAN fabric for choice and investment protection. Today, working with Brocade and McData, we're announcing a major development on that front."

Cooperative, Standard-Based Development

EMC has tested and qualified the following standards-compliant Fibre Channel devices as fully interoperable in an Enterprise Storage Network: Brocade Silkworm 16-port and 8-port switches, McDATA ED-5000 enterprise director, and EMC Connectrix ED-1032 enterprise director, Connectrix DS-16B and Connectrix DS-8B switches. EMC plans to test and qualify additional devices over time. EMC is unrivaled in its commitment to interoperability testing. This world-class testing regimen comprises the most experienced engineering talent; rigorous, comprehensive and consistent qualification processes; and a six-year investment totaling more than $1 billion.

"McDATA has always been a strong advocate of interoperability standards," said Jack McDonnell, President and Chief Executive Officer of McDATA. "For McDATA, this solution is the result of three years of hard work that began with efforts to develop an Open Standards Fabric Initiative. Last year, that initiative was adopted by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and is the standard that has led to the interoperable SAN solution today. McDATA, EMC and Brocade are setting the pace in delivering open networked storage, helping customers gain maximum value from their information assets."

"Brocade is pleased to work with EMC and McData on validation of implementation of the FC SW-2 standard. Over the past several years, Brocade has been a primary contributor of technology, including FSPF, which is the industry standard for Fibre Channel interswitch routing," said Jay Kidd, Brocade vice president, Product Marketing. "We are pleased to see widespread adoption of these standards to help facilitate open SANs."

Seamless Connectivity from Workforce to Workgroup and Beyond

Enterprise Storage Networks (ESN(TM)) are open, high-speed networks that bring together storage area networks, networked attach storage, and optical networking (e.g., dense wavelength division multiplexing, or DWDM) technologies, enabling customers to weave together heterogeneous storage (e.g., EMC Compaq, HP, Hitachi and STK), multivendor switches, hubs and servers into a single, easily managed, centralized information infrastructure. By building Enterprise Storage Networks, businesses can bring together all their traditional information and rich content in one seamless, centrally-managed resource, leveraging it on a global basis to reduce costs, drive revenue and create new business opportunities.

EMC Corporation (NYSE:EMC) is the world leader in information storage systems, software, networks and services, providing the information infrastructure for a connected world. Information about EMC's products and services can be found at www.emc.com.

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