Vendors Demo Fibre Channel Interoperability

Switch manufacturers Ancor Communications Inc. (Nasdaq: ANCR), Gadzoox Networks Inc. (Nasdaq: ZOOX), McDATA Corporation and Vixel Corporation (Nasdaq: VIXL) today announced that they will demonstrate interoperability of switch products in the Fibre Channel Industry Association (FCIA) exhibit at spring Networld+Interop, May 9-11, Las Vegas Convention Center, North Hall, Booth 2955, Las Vegas. The demonstration represents a milestone towards the Open Standards Fabric Initiative (OSFI) to accelerate the normal standards adoption process by jointly defining the critical elements required for Fibre Channel switch-to-switch interoperability -- an integral part of high-performing storage area networks (SANs).

The OSFI is comprised of the five leading Fibre Channel switch vendors: Ancor Communications Inc., Brocade Communications, Gadzoox Networks Inc., McDATA Corporation and Vixel Corporation. The OSFI's intent is to develop a single standard that defines heterogeneous switching among multiple vendors'switches. Once completed, customers will have the freedom to choose solutions based upon need without worrying about interoperability issues or proprietary solutions, provided that the switch vendor adheres to the FC-SW-2 and FC-GS-3 standards.

http://www.ancor.com
http://www.gadzoox.com
http://www.mcdata.com
http://www.vixel.com