The Brocade 300 is an 8 Gbit/sec Fibre Channel switch that provides an affordable entry-level solution for small SANs or the edge of larger SANs. It enables small to medium-sized enterprises to simplify their IT infrastructures, improve system performance, maximize the value of virtual server deployments, and reduce overall storage costs.

The Brocade 300 provides exceptional performance and functionality at an entry-level cost. It combines auto-sensing 1, 2, 4, and 8 Gbit/sec Fibre Channel throughput with features that greatly enhance fabric operation. The Brocade 300 provides these capabilities while consuming less than 2.5 watts of power per port for exceptional power and cooling efficiency.

The Brocade 300 features a non-blocking architecture with as many as 24 ports concurrently active at 8 Gbit/sec (full duplex) with no over-subscription—providing an aggregate bandwidth of 408 Gbit/sec. In addition, enhanced Brocade ISL Trunking enables a single logical high-speed trunk capable of up to 68 Gbit/sec of throughput.

Brocade 300 setup and configuration is simplified with the Brocade EZSwitchSetup wizard, which makes switch configuration, deployment, and management an easy 3-step point-and-click process. To manage Brocade switches, organizations can use a command line interface, the Brocade Web Tools utility, EZSwitchSetup, Switch Manager, or SAN management tools such as Brocade EFCM and Fabric Manager. The Brocade 300, which is Microsoft Simple SAN-compatible, also supports a USB port that increases serviceability and error logging by facilitating firmware upgrades and downloads of system log files.

The Brocade 300 is easy to deploy, manage, and integrate into both new and existing IT environments. With capabilities such as Ports On Demand scalability from 8 to 16 or 24 ports, the Brocade 300 enables organizations to grow their storage networks when necessary, in a non-disruptive manner. In addition, organizations can initially deploy 4 Gbit/sec SFPs and upgrade to 8 Gbit/sec SFP+ when desired.

Provides an affordable foundation for entry-level SANs

Delivers full 8 Gbit/sec, 1:1 performance for up to 24 ports in a 1U form factor

Simplifies configuration and management with the Brocade EZSwitchSetup wizard, and is Microsoft Simple SAN-compatible

Enables "pay-as-you-grow" scalability with Ports On Demand scalability from 8 to 16 or 24 ports

Offers dual functionality as either a full-fabric SAN switch or as an NPIV-enabled Brocade Access Gateway

Provides Adaptive Networking services, such as Quality of Service (QoS), to help optimize application performance in consolidated, virtual environments

Protects existing device investments with auto-sensing 1, 2, 4, and 8 Gbit/sec capabilities

Improves energy efficiency by combining increased bandwidth with lower power consumption

Future-proofs investments by enabling organizations to use 4 Gbit/sec SFPs today, and upgrade to 8 Gbit/sec SFPs when desired