Emulex Corporation and Brocade Communications Systems, Inc., today announced that the two companies are each providing products to the new InstaSAN(tm) Connectivity Kits for the EMC CLARiiON(r) AX150 networked storage system for small and medium businesses (SMBs). These kits deliver cost-effective, plug-and-play storage solutions for entry-level and first-time storage area network (SAN) users, enabling increased storage capacity and reliable backups that optimize performance for business applications.

The InstaSAN Connectivity Kits for the EMC CLARiiON AX150 include the Brocade SilkWorm(r) 200E switch, Emulex's LightPulse(r) LPe111 and LP101 HBAs with intuitive installation and management software. These affordable SAN kits have achieved Microsoft's Simple SAN component designation for Windows Server 2003 and are designed to reduce complexity and costs while offering a high-performance SAN solution.

"More and more SMBs are interested in comprehensive SAN solutions to meet their need for increased storage and reliable backup," said Ray Boggs, vice president of SMB research at IDC, "but cost and complexity are still a barrier for many. The introduction of the InstaSAN Connectivity kit by EMC, Brocade, and Emulex provides efficient access to a complete SAN solution and lets SMBs focus on growing their businesses."

"Working with Emulex and Brocade broadens the available solutions EMC can to deliver to SMBs," said Larry Zulch, vice president, EMC and general manager, EMC Insignia. "This relationship is focused on developing best-in-class, easy-to-use solutions that deliver the benefits of advanced networked storage without the complexity and at an affordable cost."

By Brocade