PMC-Sierra Extends maxSAS(TM) Family with Enterprise-Class SATA Multiplexers for Tiered Storage Systems.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Intelligent SPS 3G and SPS 3GT SATA Active/Active Multiplexers and in-Production SAS Expander Switches Enable Deployment of Low-Cost SATA HDD-Based Enterprise Storage Systems

PMC-Sierra (Nasdaq:PMCS) today extended its maxSAS(TM) storage family with intelligent SATA active/active multiplexers, enabling enterprise applications for low-cost SATA HDDs. The PM8305 SPS 3G and the PM8307 SPS 3GT SATA multiplexers provide enterprise-class SATA HDD connectivity, including dual porting and an embedded microcontroller for advanced diagnostics and monitoring. Together with PMC-Sierra's PM8388 SXP 24x3G and PM8387 SXP 36x3G SAS expander switches, the intelligent active/active SATA multiplexers form a complete SAS/SATA storage system solution. To accelerate OEM and ODM development cycles for tiered storage disk arrays, PMC-Sierra provides a complete reference system, including a SATA Dual Port Adapter card, SAS expander switch card and enclosure management software.

"IDC anticipates continued adoption of SATA hard disk drives in enterprise applications as users seek to manage more infrequently accessed data on less expensive storage," says Dave Reinsel, director of storage research at IDC. "Storage vendors are looking to integrate solutions such as PMC-Sierra's that support enterprise class features, while preserving the economies of SATA HDDs."

"PMC-Sierra is working closely with leading storage OEMs and ODMs to provide enterprise class SATA HDD storage array solutions within a common hardware and software design platform," said Mark Stibitz, vice president and general manager of PMC-Sierra's Enterprise Storage Division. "The PMC-Sierra maxSAS architecture enables storage vendors to quickly and seamlessly add low-cost storage to their product lines by interoperating with their existing enterprise software infrastructure."

PMC-Sierra's maxSAS Architecture Lowers Total Cost of Ownership

The 3 port SPS 3GT, used on SATA dual ported adapter cards, provides a single ported SATA HDD with 2 simultaneously active host-facing ports (see Figure 1). The 4 port SPS 3G is used for active backplanes that support a mix of SATA and SAS drives (see Figure 2). Both products, in conjunction with PMC-Sierra's SAS expander switches, provide advanced system-level features such as fault isolation and diagnostics that allow quick and accurate isolation of potential faults, significantly reducing service times and unnecessary drive returns. The end result is substantial cost savings for storage system providers and information technology managers.

Key features of PMC-Sierra's intelligent SPS active/active multiplexer include:

--Dual simultaneously active ports for low-cost SATA HDDs

--Supports Native Command Queuing (NCQ) for high system performance

--Embedded microcontroller for:

--Advanced fault diagnosis and monitoring to reduce the number of working HDDs erroneously returned for servicing

--Significant power savings through HDD spin-down control

--Supports SATA Gen2x swing levels for driving long backplane traces

PMC-Sierra SATA Dual Port Adapter Card Accelerates Time to Market

Storage vendors can immediately validate SATA HDDs in their SAS/SATA storage arrays with PMC-Sierra's PM8308 SATA Dual Port Adapter Cards. These small form factor cards plug into existing enterprise drive sleds to interface commodity SATA HDDs to PMC-Sierra's SAS expander switches. In addition, PMC-Sierra provides a complete SAS expander switch reference system with enclosure management software (PM2319-KIT), reducing development cost and accelerating time-to-market for storage OEMs and ODMs.

Availability

The PM8305 SPS 3G and PM8307 SPS 3GT devices are available now and packaged in an 80 pin, 10mm x 10mm, ePAD TQFP using 0.18 micron technology. The SPS 3G is priced at $6.90 and the SPS 3GT at $5.75 in production volumes. The PM8308 SATA Dual Port Adapter Card is available now and priced at $95 in prototype volume. The PM2319-KIT maxSAS Reference Design, priced at $6,995, is also available now. For further information including datasheets, please visit http://www.pmc-sierra.com/storage or contact PMC-Sierra at [e-mail].

About PMC-Sierra's Storage Products

PMC-Sierra offers cost-optimized products featuring best-in-class signal integrity, monitoring and advanced diagnostics for increased system performance, management and reliability. The company provides 1G, 2G and 4G Fibre Channel and 3G Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) and Serial Attached ATA (SATA) disk array and system interconnect products for SAN/NAS storage and switch fabric applications. For more information, visit www.pmc-sierra.com/storage.

About PMC-Sierra

PMC-Sierra(TM) is a leading provider of high-speed broadband communications semiconductors, storage semiconductors and microprocessors. The company offers worldwide technical and sales support through its network of offices in North America, Europe and Asia. The company is publicly traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market under the PMCS symbol and is included in the S&P 500 Index. For more information, visit www.pmc-sierra.com.

Resources to Extend Your Product Knowledge and Understanding

PMC-Sierra Storage Products: www.pmc-sierra.com/storage

PMC-Sierra New Products: www.pmc-sierra.com/products/newProducts.html

PMC-Sierra Networking Webinars: www.pmc-sierra.com/webinars

Figure 1: PMC-Sierra's Dual Port Adapter Card featuring the SPS 3GT

Figure 2: SPS 3G application

For figures visit: http://www.pmc-sierra.com/pressRoom/pdf/SPS_figures.pdf

For photos visit:

http://www.pmc-sierra.com/pressRoom/images/SPS_3GT_PM8307.jpg

http://www.pmc-sierra.com/pressRoom/images/SPS_3G_PM8305.jpg

(C) Copyright PMC-Sierra, Inc. 2005. All rights reserved. PMC, PMCS, PMC-Sierra, and "Thinking You can Build On" are trademarks of PMC-Sierra, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of the respective owners.