ADVA Optical Networking Receives Brocade Fabric Aware Status For End-To-End Storage Networking Interoperability

ADVA's FSP 2000 and FSP 3000 Systems Demonstrate Interoperability in Heterogeneous Brocade-Based Storage Area Network Environments


MUNICH, Germany, April 25, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- ADVA Optical Networking announced today that its FSP 2000 and FSP 3000 systems have been verified by Brocade as interoperable with Brocade-based Storage Area Networking (SAN) infrastructure, according to the testing requirements of the Brocade Fabric Aware Program, an end-to-end interoperability initiative for SANs. The program is a comprehensive testing and configuration initiative designed to foster SAN interoperability in multi-vendor Brocade-based SAN environments.

The latest ADVA interoperability testing involved 4Gbit/s Inter Switch Link (ISL) support for Brocade's SilkWorm 48000 director and 4100 switch systems for distances of more than 100km. Delivering the bandwidth enterprises need to manage today's growing requirements, ADVA's Coarse and Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (C/DWDM) systems can support up to 64-4Gbit/s ISLs. With a WDM-based solution in place, customers can connect SAN fabrics over high-bandwidth metro and regional optical networks to support applications such as business continuity, server and storage consolidation and the sharing of computing assets. These applications allow enterprises to benefit from increased security and reduced costs, among other key advantages.

Testing was conducted at the Brocade interoperability labs, which are state-of-the-art facilities supporting end-to-end interoperability and performance testing of SAN products in multi-vendor and large-fabric SAN environments. The Brocade Fabric Aware Program has added more than fifty members since its launch in 2000. In addition, as part of its investment in SAN interoperability, Brocade actively supports its members' interoperability initiatives.

"ADVA and Brocade have been partnering since 2002 to guarantee our joint customers the highest level of assurance and technical support. This latest qualification of our FSP 2000 and 3000 systems with Brocade's SAN infrastructure products -- including the SilkWorm directors, routers and switches -- underscores our commitment to provide seamless interoperability for our enterprise customers," stated Brian P. McCann, chief marketing and strategy officer at ADVA. "As enterprise interest in disaster recovery strategies intensifies, storage area networks are being deployed in greater numbers and continually scaled in size and scope."

"We are pleased that ADVA has successfully completed the Fabric Aware testing with Brocade fabric switches in multi-vendor SAN environments," said Tom Buiocchi, VP of Worldwide Marketing for Brocade. "Storage area networks are being deployed worldwide at a rapid rate as a scalable, high-performance networking foundation for storage environments. The Fabric Aware program is an example of our continued commitment to delivering end-to-end interoperability to SAN customers."

ADVA's Fiber Service Platform is a portfolio of Optical+Ethernet networking products designed specifically for the delivery of high-speed services and network infrastructure rollout. Their modular design and flexible architecture options enable the most comprehensive and cost-effective solutions for customer premises, access, metro core and regional deployment. Enterprise customers deploy ADVA's solutions to expand the reach of their network applications. Employing parallel use of Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) and CWDM/DWDM technologies, the FSP portfolio delivers business continuity, disaster recovery, local area network extension and converged networking solutions.

ABOUT ADVA OPTICAL NETWORKING

ADVA Optical Networking (FSE:ADV) is at the forefront of providing Optical+Ethernet solutions that advance next-generation networks for data, storage, voice and video services. ADVA's strength comes from passionate and dedicated employees, all sharing a common vision: a fast, customized response to customers' ever-changing needs. Our innovative Fiber Service Platform (FSP) and strong customer focus provide carriers and enterprises the ability to scale their networks and deliver intelligent, competitive new applications. ADVA's solutions have been deployed at more than 100 carriers and 5,000 enterprises in more than 40 countries worldwide. For further information about ADVA: www.advaoptical.com.

ABOUT THE BROCADE FABRIC AWARE PROGRAM

The Brocade Fabric Aware program is a comprehensive testing and configuration initiative designed to foster end-to-end SAN interoperability. As part of the program, testing is conducted in SAN configurations that comprise a heterogeneous mix of servers, storage subsystems, Brocade fabric switches, SAN management and enterprise applications, and other SAN technologies. Brocade has created an interoperability lab comprising a heterogeneous SAN fabric, in which the company tests and validates partner equipment in specific configurations. Vendors receive Brocade Fabric Aware qualification after completing tests to confirm that vendors' products meet interoperability guidelines. For more information, visit www.brocade.com/partners/fabric_aware_program.jhtml.

PUBLISHED BY:

ADVA AG Optical Networking, Martinsried/Munich and Meiningen, Germany ADVA Optical Networking Inc., Mahwah, New Jersey, USA ADVA Optical Networking Corp., Tokyo, Japan www.advaoptical.com


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