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Product category: Networking Hardware
News Release from: LSI Europe | Subject: SAS switch
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial Team on 03 April 2006

Switch promises network storage
flexibility

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LSI Logic has unveiled the first prototypes of an industry-leading SAS switch, offering a new option in building low-cost, high-performance storage networks.

LSI Logic has unveiled the first prototypes of an industry-leading SAS switch, offering a new option in building low-cost, high-performance storage networks As SAS gains traction in server direct attached storage (DAS) and rack-based storage environments, the LSI switch will enable SAS-based servers to connect to multiple SAS storage arrays

The switch will be on display in the LSI galleria kiosk at the Storage Networking World conference from 3rd to 6th April 2006.

With the addition of the LSI SAS switch to the LSI SAS product portfolio, LSI will address the SAS infrastructure and interoperability at every level.

The LSI SAS switch will provide end-to-end interoperability with the complete LSI SAS family, which includes controller ICs, expander ICs and SAS HBAs.

The company also supplies a full line of MegaRAID SAS adapter cards and RAID on motherboard (ROMB) solutions.

"As Ultra320 SCSI reached its limits, SAS emerged as the next generation technology for DAS environments", said James Opfer, Research VP, Gartner.

"However, the opportunity for SAS is far greater as it offers the ability to be leveraged as a fabric".

"The versatility of SAS provides customers with the ability to take advantage of a new class of storage networking".

The LSI SAS switch will be based on proven LSI silicon, firmware and software.

The switch features nine x4 SAS ports, and by connecting multiple switches, users will be able to increase the size of the SAS fabric.

With zoning support, the LSI SAS switch allows multiple storage domains to be configured.

Using copper cables, the LSI SAS switch supports connection distances up to 8m, making it ideal for workgroup or rack-mounted server and storage environments requiring support for as many as 10 servers connected to one or more SAS storage arrays.

"With the demonstration of our new SAS switch, LSI is extending the capabilities of the SAS topology beyond a SCSI replacement in DAS environments to an actual fabric infrastructure", said Bruce Grieshaber, Product Manager, Storage Components Group, LSI Logic.

"By providing an interconnect from multiple servers to one or more external storage systems, the LSI SAS switch will enable small- to medium-sized businesses to take advantage of a cost-effective scalable high-performance, storage network and move beyond the limitations of DAS environments".

Complete SAS switch management through an embedded web server will be provided.

As the SAS physical layer supports both SAS and Serial ATA (SATA), the SAS switch will enable a single switching infrastructure capable of addressing multiple classes of storage by supporting a mix of SAS and SATA drives.

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