HPCwire: Mellanox Introduces BridgeX SDK

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April 27, 2010

Mellanox Introduces BridgeX SDK

BridgeX SDK enables Ethernet switch OEMs to build next generations future proof datacenter switching platforms

LAS VEGAS, April 27 -- Interop Las Vegas 2010 -- Mellanox Technologies, Ltd., a leading supplier of high-performance, end-to-end connectivity solutions for datacenter servers and storage systems, today announced the BridgeX SDK, a comprehensive software development platform that complements Mellanox's BridgeX gateway silicon device and reference design enabling OEMs to augment their existing switch platforms with virtual and converged I/O utilizing T-11 compliant Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) functionality. The Mellanox BridgeX SDK compliments the company's existing 10GigE datacenter switches and enables switch OEMs to build next generation datacenter switching platforms utilizing FCoE with critical future-proofing, rapid time-to-market, power and cost saving advantages. According to Dell'Oro*, the market for FCoE is estimated to grow to approximately 2.7 million ports in 2014.

The BridgeX gateway silicon device delivers a cost and power optimized converged I/O solution that can be easily integrated into OEM's 10GigE switch platforms to enable 1/2/4/8 Gb/s Fibre Channel (FC) port connectivity to the FC Storage Area Networks (SAN). Since they are T-11 compliant FCoE Converged Network Adapters (CNA), the Mellanox ConnectX EN line of CNAs, can be used on the servers to deliver converged I/O. Systems built with the BridgeX SDK and gateway silicon device can offer a unique low-cost, high-performance solution that reduces the number of server adapter cards, cables and network infrastructure by consolidating storage and Ethernet traffic onto a single network, while preserving the end-user's Fibre Channel management software and their existing datacenter storage hardware investments.

"While the value of FCoE as a converged I/O solution over 10GigE has been established, the industry continues to be riddled with high cost and proprietary solutions, inhibiting adoption," said Sanjay Manney, director of product marketing at Mellanox Technologies. "By utilizing the BridgeX SDK, Ethernet switch and blade switch OEMs can roll out feature-rich, cost and power competitive converged I/O solutions that will enable datacenters to retain the value of their Fibre Channel storage and Ethernet systems and their respective operational expertise."

"While FCoE will be an important I/O virtualization technology, customers have few choices in top-of-rack switches that can connect to existing FC SANs," said Joe Skorupa, Research VP, Gartner, Inc. "Solutions that enable more vendors to provide FCoE-to-FC bridging in top-of-rack switches will increase customer choices, increase competition and help adoption of FCoE."

The BridgeX SDK enables virtual and converged I/O features such as instantiation of virtual HBAs over FCoE CNAs and mapping them to T-11 NPIV compliant FC ports facing the SAN. OEMs will be able to support the configuration of downlink ports to Ethernet or FC ports or a mix of them to deliver deployment flexibility and future proofing. The BridgeX device supports T-11 FCF (Fibre Channel Forwarder) features that can be implemented in conjunction with software implemented on FCoE-aware Ethernet switches.

Availability and Pricing

The BridgeX SDK includes a BridgeX Evaluation Board, a Linux and Power PC based Board Support Package (BSP), BridgeX Manager (BXM) API and software, and a Programmer's Guide. The BridgeX SDK is available now at a list price of $39,950.

Visit Mellanox at Interop Las Vegas (April 26-28)

Visit Mellanox Technologies at booth #2307 to see a live demonstration of the BridgeX SDK and the full suite of Mellanox's end-to-end high-performance datacenter connectivity products.

About Mellanox

Mellanox Technologies (NASDAQ: MLNX) (TASE: MLNX) is a leading supplier of end-to-end connectivity solutions for servers and storage that optimize datacenter performance. Mellanox products deliver market-leading bandwidth, performance, scalability, power conservation and cost-effectiveness while converging multiple legacy network technologies into one future-proof solution. For the best in performance and scalability, Mellanox connectivity solutions are a preferred choice for Fortune 500 datacenters and the world's most powerful supercomputers. Founded in 1999, Mellanox Technologies is headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif., and Yokneam, Israel. For more information, visit Mellanox at www.mellanox.com.

*Dell'Oro - Network Adapter 5-year Forecast, Jan. 2010

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Source: Mellanox Technologies, Ltd.

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