Vixel Supports Sun's Multi-Vendor Switch Interoperability Initiative.

Vixel Corp. announced its support for Sun Microsystems' multi-vendor switch interoperability initiative in Storage Area Networks (SANs). Increasing interoperability among vendors is part of Sun's Storage for the New Net Economy strategy, which includes a focus on products, services, and programs to deliver storage solutions to customers.

"Encouraging interoperability among switch vendors is an element of Sun's network storage strategy and Vixel's leadership in the SAN market makes the company a participant in our effort to increase interoperability," said Janpieter Scheerder, president of Sun Network Storage. "Interoperability issues must be addressed before SANs can reach their potential and before adoption can flourish."

Vixel Fibre Channel switches and hubs support SAN environments, providing data movement in applications. The Vixel 7000 Series Switches feature Vixel's "Stealth" private loop technology, now in its third generation, and offer a fabric migration path. The Vixel 2100 Zoning Managed Hub delivers four 100MB/sec loops. Vixel switches and hubs are managed by SAN InSite 2000, the company's Java-based SAN interconnect management software. SAN InSite 2000 is a management software that enables end-users to auto-discover, monitor, and manage SAN interconnect devices, including non-Vixel devices.

"The acceptance of storage networks depends on industry leaders collaborating to certify interoperability among their products. Sun's efforts to increase interoperability addresses end-users' demands that the devices they choose are compatible with one another and will provide performance and reliability," said Jim McCluney, president and CEO of Vixel Corp. "Vixel looks forward to continuing its relationship with Sun, removing barriers to interoperability, and fueling the growth of storage network adoption."