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Cisco Unveils Easy-to-Use, Affordable SAN Fabric Switch With Enterprise Capabilities
New Switch Offers "Pay as You Grow" Ports and Quick Configuration Wizard
| Source: Cisco Systems
SAN JOSE, CA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- November 20, 2006 -- Cisco® (NASDAQ : CSCO ) today announced the
availability of the Cisco MDS 9124 Multilayer Fabric Switch, which provides
enterprise-class capabilities such as virtual Storage Area Networks
(VSANs), advanced security, high availability and flexibility, all powered
by the Cisco SAN operating system. The new switch also offers "pay as you
grow" on-demand ports and an easy point-and-click wizard that dramatically
simplifies SAN setup and management.
HNTB, a multidisciplinary firm well known for its work in architecture,
environmental engineering, and urban design and planning, is currently
testing the Cisco MDS 9124 Multilayer Fabric Switch. "I like the GUI
interface of the Quick Configuration Wizard -- it's very helpful and makes
it easy to set up a new SAN," said Wes Owen, manager of infrastructure
services at HNTB. "I also liked the feature set of the switch, and the
fact that you can add ports easily with an activation license."
The MDS 9124 Fabric Switch offers enterprise-class capabilities and
performance at an affordable price with a small footprint, suitable for SMB
companies, departmental SANs, or core-edge enterprise SANs. Customers
benefit from the advanced capabilities of Cisco SAN OS, including high
performance and resiliency of inter-switch links and advanced security
features to address compliance and regulatory requirements.
"A switch package that includes modular growth, security and availability
features at an entry price that everyone can afford should be welcomed by
companies from SMBs to the Fortune 100," said Steve Duplessie, founder and
senior analyst at the Enterprise Strategy Group. "The fact that it can be
operational in two clicks means that shops large and small will rejoice."
The Cisco MDS 9124 Multilayer Fabric Switch provides up to
24 4-Gigabits-per-second Fibre Channel ports in a compact 1 one rack unit
form factor with line-rate performance on each port. Customers can select
eight, 16 or 24 ports and can add ports as needed, making the MDS 9124 a
flexible solution for growing SANs. Ports are added "on demand" through a
port-activation license. Feature compatibility with all Cisco MDS
Multilayer directors and switches provides investment protection for both
new and existing customers.
"Dimension Data has extensive experience in providing data center solutions
and recognizes the benefits that the MDS 9124 Multilayer Fabric Switch will
offer our small to medium clients," said Marc Duvoisin, director of
Datacenter Solutions at Dimension Data. "The Quick Configuration Wizard
and flexible 'pay as you grow' port capability are ideal for us to help
this market segment with easy design and rapid deployment. Our customers
who are planning on growth will be especially attracted to the MDS 9124
because it is cost effective and offers the advanced features they need to
build flexible and highly secure SANs."
Broad Industry Support
Cisco has garnered broad support from storage vendors that participate in
its original storage manufacturer (OSM) and solution technology integrator
(STI) partner programs. OSM and STI partners that intend to sell the Cisco
MDS 9124 Multilayer Fabric Switch include Dell, EMC, Hitachi Data Systems,
HP, IBM, Network Appliance, Sun Microsystems and Xiotech.
"The simplified configuration and management, flexible scale and
affordability offered by the MDS 9124 are highly appealing for many Dell
customers," stated Darren Thomas, vice president and general manager for
Dell Storage and Networking. "Dell will be working closely with Cisco to
include this new storage switch in our networking portfolio."
"EMC and Cisco share a common vision to deliver cost-effective simple SAN
technology for midsize enterprise and SMB customers," said Deirdre Wassell,
senior manager, Storage Network Marketing, EMC Corporation. "As a member
of the EMC Connectrix family of switches and directors, the MDS 9124 will
be an ideal complement to our leading networked storage platforms."
"Hitachi Data Systems continues to work with Cisco to provide solutions
that support customer requirements for simplicity and flexibility," said
Steve TenBarge, vice president, Global Product Marketing, at Hitachi Data
Systems. "We look forward to offering the new cost effective Cisco fabric
switch to help our customers manage their storage environments."
"The new Cisco MDS 9124 fabric switch fits well with HP's strategy of
providing affordable, flexible connectivity solutions for entry-level SANs
so customers can put information to work by simplifying SAN deployment and
management while providing investment protection for future IT storage
infrastructure needs," said Kyle Fitze, director of SAN marketing,
StorageWorks Division, HP.
"We are pleased by the affordability and ease of use that the new Cisco MDS
9124 will allow IBM to deliver to our customers," said Robert Mahoney, IBM
business line executive, storage networking. "Together with products in the
IBM System Storage portfolio, the new Cisco MDS 9124 will be attractive to
SMB customers who want to deploy affordable entry level IBM System Storage
simplification solutions which can grow to enterprise core-edge continuity
solutions with all of the advanced features customers expect, including
Virtual SANs, advanced security, and high availability."
Cisco Data Center Networking Solutions
The Cisco MDS 9124 Multilayer Fabric Switch is part of Cisco Data Center
networking solutions, an integrated set of products, best practices and
services that allow IT architects and data center professionals to take a
phased approach to building and operating a future-proof network platform
for their next-generation data centers.
Availability
The Cisco MDS 9124 Multilayer Fabric Switch is expected to be generally
available through Cisco storage partners starting as early as December
2006.
About Cisco Systems
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how people connect, communicate and collaborate. Information about Cisco
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