A high-performance SAN switch designed for rapidly growing environments, the Brocade 5000 combines scalability with superior investment protection. It features a flexible architecture that supports native E_Port interoperability for seamless connectivity into Brocade Fabric OS (FOS) or M-Enterprise OS (M-EOS) environments, allowing organizations to non-disruptively expand their existing SAN fabrics. (M-EOS fabrics are McDATA switches and directors running Enterprise OS.)

The Brocade 5000 is fully compatible with Brocade 1, 2, and 4 Gbit/sec devices, including the Brocade DCX Backbone, protecting existing technology investments while providing a strategic solution for the future.

Featuring scalable Ports on Demand capabilities, the Brocade 5000 is available in configurations of 16, 24, or 32 ports in an efficient 1U design. It also provides best-in-class performance for midrange SAN switches, featuring a non-blocking architecture with as many as 32 ports concurrently active at 4 Gbit/sec full duplex to provide an aggregate bandwidth of 256 Gbit/sec.

Organizations can manage the Brocade 5000 through a command line interface, Brocade Web Tools, Brocade Enterprise Fabric Connectivity Manager (EFCM), or Brocade Fabric Manager.

• Delivers up to 32 ports in an optimized form factor that does not require a rail kit for deployment in a 19-inch rack
• Protects existing investments in Brocade Fabric OS and M-EOS*-based environments through native E_Port switch interoperability
• Provides industry-leading power and cooling efficiency to reduce Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and improve availability
• Utilizes Brocade EFCM 9.x and Brocade Fabric Manager for easy deployment within new and existing fabrics
• Features Ports on Demand capabilities for fast, easy, and cost-effective scalability from 16 to 32 ports in 8-port increments
• Protects existing device investments with auto-configuring 1, 2, and 4 Gbit/sec capabilities
• Meets high-availability requirements with redundant, hot-pluggable components and non-disruptive software upgrades
• Utilizes the Brocade EZSwitchSetup wizard, simplifying installation and management