HPCwire: QLogic Ships iSCSI Adapter for HP BladeSystem

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July 24, 2008

QLogic Ships iSCSI Adapter for HP BladeSystem

Adapter reduces server CPU utilization, enables boot-from-SAN and enhances data security on 1Gb Ethernet fabrics

ALISO VIEJO, Calif., July 24 -- QLogic Corp., a leader in networking for storage and high performance computing (HPC), today announced a performance-enhanced iSCSI mezzanine adapter for HP BladeSystem c-Class servers. The fully integrated QLogic QMH4062 1GbE iSCSI Adapter for HP BladeSystem c-Class offers TCP/IP and iSCSI offload, iSCSI boot from a storage area network (SAN) and IPv6 compliance. It is pre-certified with a wide range of storage systems, including HP StorageWorks All-in-One systems, the HP StorageWorks Modular Smart Array (MSA2000i) family, the HP ProLiant Storage Server portfolio and the HP StorageWorks Enterprise Virtual Array iSCSI Connectivity Option. Customized to provide offload of iSCSI and TCP/IP processing for both Microsoft Windows and Linux environments, the dual-port QMH4062 allows users the flexibility of VMware ESX 3.5 and ESXi 3.5 host booting from an iSCSI SAN.

"With TCP/IP and iSCSI offload, the QMH4062 is designed for system administrators that want to use their host processors to power business applications," said Amit Vashi, vice president of marketing at QLogic Host Solutions Group. "QLogic and HP have a long history of providing Fibre Channel solutions. With the addition of the QMH4062, HP BladeSystem customers can now use a common Ethernet infrastructure for storage while freeing up valuable server CPU resources."

"Customers are looking to simplify their operations and reduce the cost of their datacenters," said Jim Ganthier, director of marketing strategy at HP BladeSystem. "The single-step iSCSI boot feature of the QMH4062 allows customers to boot their BladeSystem c-Class servers from a remote operating system image located on an Ethernet-based storage network, resulting in lower costs while simplifying the boot process for IT administrators."

Reduces Boot-from-SAN Complexity

The QMH4062 reduces boot-from-SAN complexity and total cost of ownership by processing the iSCSI commands on the QLogic adapter and allowing the adapter to boot from a selected LUN without the use of additional hardware or configuration tools.

QLogic QMH4062 1GbE iSCSI Adapter Saves CPU Cycles and Enhances Data Integrity

Unlike network interface cards (NICs) and iSCSI software initiator solutions, which require server CPU cycles, the QMH4062 offloads TCP/IP and iSCSI tasks, reducing server CPU utilization and increasing performance. The QMH4062 represents one of the most advanced iSCSI initiator solutions available for blades. An alternative to less integrated NIC/iSCSI software initiator offerings, the QMH4062 is supported on all HP BladeSystem c-Class servers and all mezzanine slots, and can be deployed with multiple adapters per server. In addition, the QMH4062 enhances data integrity with iSCSI CRC digest, which detects and identifies errors that can occur in memory or during transfer across the PCI bus.

IPv6 Compliance for Increased Security and Improved Management

IPv6, the next-generation IP protocol, which is becoming a requirement for many government agencies, allows for additional network addressing from 32 bits to 128 bits, increased security and improved management, compared to IPv4 products. The QMH4062 is fully IPv6 compliant, and offers an HP BladeSystem c-Class end-to-end IPv6 solution when using either the Cisco Catalyst Blade Switch 3120 with IPv6 upgrade option or the Ethernet Pass-Thru.

The QMH4062 SANsurfer GUI and CLI management interfaces provide a consistent view across host operating systems (OS). This allows SAN administrators to quickly perform management tasks or automate repetitive tasks. Alternate implementations requiring OS-specific iSCSI initiator software can vary widely between operating systems, leaving SAN administrators no consistent method to manage their iSCSI SANs.

About QLogic

QLogic (Nasdaq:QLGC) is a leading supplier of high performance storage networking solutions, which include the controller chips, host adapters and fabric switches that are the backbone of storage networks for most Global 2000 corporations. The company delivers a broad and diverse portfolio of products that includes Fibre Channel adapters, blade server embedded Fibre Channel switches, Fibre Channel stackable switches, iSCSI adapters and iSCSI routers. The company is also a leading supplier of InfiniBand switches and InfiniBand host channel adapters for the emerging high performance computing market. QLogic products are delivered to small-to-medium businesses and large enterprises around the world via its channel partner community. QLogic products are also powering solutions from leading companies such as Cisco, Dell, EMC, Hitachi Data Systems, HP, IBM, NetApp and Sun Microsystems. QLogic is a member of the S&P 500 Index.

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Source: QLogic Corp.

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