To help protect existing investments, Brocade switches are fully forward and backward compatible across the entire Brocade SAN portfolio, including the Brocade DCX Backbone. This capability enables organizations to deploy 1, 2, and 4 Gbit/sec SAN environments with highly scalable core-to-edge configurations. Brocade switch models offer flexible configurations ranging from 8 to 64 ports, and can function as standalone or edge switches, depending upon specific SAN requirements.
Brocade SAN switch and director offerings help optimize storage networking environments to address the widest range of requirements. This approach helps ensure high resource utilization, simplified management, and unmatched fabric scalability.
With native E_Port interoperability across Brocade Fabric OS (FOS) and M-Enterprise OS (M-EOS) devices and fabrics, Brocade SAN switches connect to the vast majority of fabrics in operation today, allowing organizations to seamlessly integrate and scale their existing SAN infrastructures. Moreover, Brocade switches are backed by FOS and M-EOS engineering, test, and support expertise to provide reliable operation in mixed SAN fabrics.
Brocade Embedded Switches
In addition, Brocade provides embedded Fibre Channel Switches for use in leading vendors' blade server environments. These affordable solutions greatly reduce implementation time and cost without compromising performance.
2 and 4 Gbit/sec Embedded Switches are available from the following vendors.
Entry-Level to Enterprise-Class Switches for Today's SANs
High Availability Throughout the Fabric
Brocade switches meet high-availability requirements with redundant, hot-pluggable components, hot code activation, automatic path rerouting, and extensive diagnostics. Leveraging the Brocade networking model, these switches can provide a SAN fabric capable of delivering overall system availability greater than 99.999 percent.
Affordable Scalability
To meet the need for scalable and affordable SAN solutions, Brocade switches are backward and forward compatible - providing a seamless migration path to 4 Gbit/sec connectivity and beyond. In addition, support for heterogeneous SAN environments provides much greater flexibility in utilizing existing technology resources in cost-effective, easy-to-manage SAN environments. All switches also feature flexible port configuration with Ports on Demand capabilities for fast, easy scalability.
Fast, Relaible 2 and 4Gbit/sec Performance
All Brocade switches offer full, non-blocking performance across all ports. Organizations can also experience high performance between switches in a SAN by using Brocade ISL Trunking to achieve up to 32 Gbit/sec total throughput and Adaptive Networking Services to ensure QoS and optimized data flows.
Simplified Deployment and Management
Brocade switches are designed for easy deployment, management, and maintenance. When used in dual-fabric SAN environments, they support the highest levels of availability, reliability, and scalability. In addition, they simplify administration through embedded Brocade Web Tools management software and a full range of SAN management software.
Excellent Value for a Variety of SAN Environment
Designed for flexibility, Brocade switches provide a low-cost solution for DAS-to-SAN migration, small SAN islands, NAS back ends, and the edge of core-to-edge enterprise SANs. As a result, these switches are ideal as standalone departmental SANs or as high-performance edge switches in large enterprise SANs.
Manageability Reduces Cost and Complexity
Whether a SAN is small or very large, Brocade management software can reduce both complexity and overall storage costs. Brocade switches can utilize cost-effective SAN management solutions to optimize storage network resources and maximize availability while improving efficiencies and reducing costs. Comprehensive Brocade management software enables centralized management of SAN resources - regardless of vendor, protocol, or geography. Learn more about the SAN management solution that's best for your unique SAN environment.
Extension and Routing
Brocade offers routing and extension switches to help maximize the performance of applications that move data between data centers. Learn more about the Brocade 7500, Brocade 7500E, and other Brocade extension and routing products.
