PMC-Sierra Introduces Low-Cost 4G Fibre Channel Loop Switch Family for Storage Enclosure Systems.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

Storage Networking World Spring 2004

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 5, 2004

Innovative Cut-Through-Switch Architecture with Robust Signal

Integrity Provides Storage OEMs with Cost-Optimized Disk

Enclosure Solutions

Today at Storage Networking World, PMC-Sierra, Inc. (Nasdaq:PMCS) introduced its 4G Fibre Channel (4GFC) Cut-Through-Switch (CTS) product family consisting of the PM8379 CTS 20x4G, PM8378 CTS 18x4G and the PM8375 CTS 4x4G devices. The CTS products enable storage OEMs to deliver low-cost 4G Fibre Channel disk enclosures with higher system performance, reliability, availability and serviceability than existing deployed systems. The CTS devices integrate PMC-Sierra's proven high-speed signal integrity, together with an innovative FC switch architecture, to provide a best-in-class solution for RAID, SBOD(TM), MBOD(TM) and JBOD enterprise storage equipment (see Figures 1 and 2).

"Enterprise data storage requirements continue to grow at a rapid rate, but IT managers also face continued pressures to restrain spending on IT solutions," said Richard Villars, vice president of Storage Systems at IDC. "Technology enhancements such as 4 Gbit/s FC will allow storage systems and storage network equipment providers to boost performance and deliver more cost effective products without disrupting existing storage networks."

The CTS loop switch products are PMC-Sierra's third generation of products for Fibre Channel storage enclosures. The CTS 18x4G and CTS 4x4G devices are pin and software compatible with PMC-Sierra's previous generations of 1, 2 and 4G intelligent Port Bypass Controllers (PBCs), allowing storage OEMs to provide increased disk error isolation and reduced loop latency capabilities while preserving existing hardware and software investments. The CTS devices are interoperable with 4GFC Hard Disk Drives (HDD) over long backplanes and are compatible with existing 1G and 2GFC HDDs and storage networks.

"PMC-Sierra continues to push the envelope for Fibre Channel technology with the introduction of a low cost, high performing 4GFC loop switch product family," said Arun Taneja, founder and consulting analyst, Taneja Group. "Storage systems OEMs worldwide are seeking cost-optimized loop switch solutions that improve disk system performance and diagnostics; PMC-Sierra has listened and exceeded their requirements with the CTS product family."

"PMC-Sierra continues to work closely with customers to create storage system solutions that not only increase system performance, but also aggressively reduce system costs," said Mark Stibitz, vice president and general manager of PMC-Sierra's Enterprise and Storage Division. "PMC-Sierra's CTS Fibre Channel loop switch products provide a cost-optimized architecture that enables storage OEMs to quickly transition from 2G to 4G Fibre Channel systems."

CTS Product Family Overview

The CTS product family targets 4GFC storage system enclosures in Storage Area Networking (SAN) applications. PMC-Sierra worked with several leading storage system OEMs to define a product family that exceeds both technical and business requirements. The following key features of the CTS 20x4G, CTS 18x4G and CTS 4x4G provide OEMs with a low risk and optimized price-performance solution:

-- Embedded point-to-point Cut-Through-Switching for hard disk

drive isolation and loop latency optimization

-- Per port monitoring and diagnostics for higher system

Reliability, Availability and Serviceability (RAS):

-- Loop Port State Machine (LPSM) monitors

-- Signal Integrity (SI) monitors

-- Hard disk drive error monitors

-- Fibre Channel frame generators and comparators

-- Extensive system diagnostic loopbacks

-- Robust signal integrity to lower time-to-market risk and

increase system performance:

-- 8 levels of per port programmable voltage output swing

optimized for different trace lengths

-- 8 levels of per port programmable pre-emphasis to

compensate for backplane dielectric losses

-- 30 levels of per port programmable receive equalization to

compensate for high frequency signal distortion

-- Programmable edge rate control to reduce system EMI

-- Low receiver sensitivity

-- Integrated AC coupling capacitors and 100-ohm terminations to

reduce system design complexity and bill of material costs

-- Production system test support with built-in IEEE 1149.1 JTAG

test port

Pricing, Availability and Customer Support

Product    Features           Compatibility   Package        Direct
                                                             Pricing
                                                           (25KU/Year)
---------- ------------------ --------------- -----------  -----------
PM8379 CTS  20 port 4.25,      Register       27 mm x 27 mm    $70
 20x4G      2.125 and 1.0625   compatible to  352-pin CSBGA
            Gbit/s Cut-        PM8368 PBC     0.13 micron
            Through-Switch     18x2G and      CMOS
                               PM8369 PBC
                               18x4G
---------- ------------------ --------------- -----------  -----------
PM8378 CTS  18 port 4.25,      Pin and        23 mm x 23 mm    $66
 18x4G      2.125 and 1.0625   register       228-pin CSBGA
            Gbit/s Cut-        compatible to  0.13 micron
            Through-Switch     PM8368 PBC     CMOS
                               18x2G and
                               PM8369 PBC
                               18x4G
---------- ------------------ --------------- -----------  -----------
PM8375 CTS  4 port 4.25, 2.125 Pin and        15 mm x 15 mm    $19
 4x4G       and 1.0625 Gbit/s  register       196-pin CABGA
            Cut-Through-       compatible to  0.13 micron
            Switch and link    PM8372 PBC     CMOS
            retimer/extender   4x2G and
                               PM8377 PBC
                               4x4G
---------- ------------------ --------------- -----------  -----------

The CTS product family will start sampling in May 2004. PMC-Sierra's complete product evaluation kits for each device (PM2349-KIT for CTS 20x4G, PM2348-KIT for CTS 18x4G, and PM2347-KIT for CTS 4x4G) will be available in May 2004. To download datasheets and order evaluation kits, please visit www.pmc-sierra.com/storage or contact sales at [e-mail].

About PMC-Sierra's Storage Products

PMC-Sierra offers cost-optimized products featuring best-in-class signal integrity, flexibility and diagnostics for increased system performance and management. The company provides 1G, 2G and 4G Fibre Channel disk array and system interconnect products for SAN/NAS storage and switch fabric applications. PMC-Sierra has also announced a 3G interconnect product for SAS and SATA storage systems. For more information, visit www.pmc-sierra.com/storage.

About PMC-Sierra

PMC-Sierra(TM) is a leading provider of high speed broadband communications and storage semiconductors and MIPS-based(TM) processors for Enterprise, Access, Metro Optical Transport, Storage Area Networking and Wireless network equipment. The company offers worldwide technical and sales support, including a network of offices throughout 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.

Attachments

Figure 1: Fibre Channel Storage Systems: Switched-BOD (SBOD) Application available at http://www.pmc-sierra.com/pressRoom/pr/images/20040405_pr_figure1.jpg

Figure 2: Fibre Channel-Connected SATA Disk Array Application available at http://www.pmc-sierra.com/pressRoom/pr/images/20040405_pr_figure2.jpg

Product Photos available at www.pmc-sierra.com/pressRoom/photos/hi-res/CTS_Set_5x7_300dpi.jpg

(C) Copyright PMC-Sierra, Inc. 2004. All rights reserved. MBOD, PMC-Sierra, PMCS, PMC, "Thinking you can build on" are trademarks of PMC-Sierra, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of the respective owners.