FIBRE CHANNEL SWITCH VENDORS DEMONSTRATE MULTI-VENDOR FABRIC INTEROPERABILITY.

The Fibre Channel Industry Association -- FCIA -- along with switch vendors Gadzoox Networks, QLogic, McDATA, and Vixel demonstrated multi-vendor switch interoperability based on new industry standards. This demonstration took place at the Storage Network Industry Associations-SNIA Technical Center grand opening and was sponsored by the FCIA. With the assistance of the FCIA SANmark program, switch vendors demonstrated E-port functionality (Inter-Switch Links) and improved routing protocols contained in new standards. This demonstration also highlights the newfound cooperation between the FCIA and SNIA to resolve interoperability issues and is a major step toward interoperable switches.

"I commend and applaud the efforts of these vendors," says David Deming, FCIA president, interoperability chair, and president of Solution Technology. "They have shown dedication and support for interoperable standards based switches and have proven that even the fiercest competitors can come together to resolve industry concerns over switch interoperability."

"As a provider of intelligent storage networking solutions, Gadzoox Networks is pleased to join the other fibre channel switch vendors in this collaborative demonstration of support and compliance with the forthcoming FC-SW2 open fabric standard," said Wayne Rickard, chief technology officer, Gadzoox Networks. "As a strong supporter of both FCIA and SNIA, Gadzoox Networks is proud of our involvement in defining the FCIA SANmark switch interoperability suite, and is committed to supporting the SNIA and FCIA efforts that endorse and demonstrate standards based frameworks for all solutions."

"Switch-to-switch compatibility is an absolutely critical component to the successful implementation and growth of SANs, and continues to be a top priority for Q Logic," said Carla Kennedy, vice president of QLogic's SANs marketing group. "QLogic is pleased to participate in today's demonstration by the SNIA and will continue to take a highly active role in the FCIA SANmark program and the formation of standards like FC-SW2, Fibre Channel Switched Fabrics - 2. It's an imperative for the industry to work closely with partners and competitors alike in providing customers with interoperable solutions."

"McDATA has long-recognized the importance of open storage networking and the need for interoperability leadership in the market," said Jeff Vogel, vice president of solutions and systems integration services for McDATA. "Our solutions development and qualification efforts at McDATA are focused on qualifying supportable, SAN business application solutions in collaboration with leading standards based initiatives such as the FCIA and SNIA."

"Vixel will continue to work diligently in support of the FCIA and the SNIA's efforts to drive compliance of the open standard for switch interoperability," said Thomas Hughes, vice president of product development, Vixel Corporation. "By demonstrating SW-2 based interoperability, we have all collaboratively underscored the industry's commitment to open storage networking, and Vixel is very pleased to have been part of this broad-based effort."

This demonstration is based on the soon to be released FC-SW2 standard. This standard is in the final stages of comment resolution and will be forwarded to NCITS for final approval in April. Once this standard is finalized, the industry can expect switch vendors to start delivering interoperable switches based on the FC-SW2 industry standard.