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LAS VEGAS—Adaptec Inc. on Monday released three new adapters designed to ramp up the momentum behind iSCSIs drive to replace Fibre Channel as the premier way of transporting stored data.
The three are ASIC-based Internet protocol adapters rather than server-based implementations, improving storage network data speeds and performance for a lower cost.
The adapters, based on the Milpitas, Calif., companys recently announced Storage Protocol Accelerator and Storage Router Accelerator IP storage ASICs, enable connectivity between iSCSI and SAN (storage-attached networks) and help bridge iSCSI and Fibre Channel SANs over Ethernet.
The key is the ASIC technology Adaptec acquired when it bought Playtus in July.
“Everythings going toward ASIC,” said Balaji Baktha, vice president of product marketing for Adaptecs storage networking group. “ASIC is a must” to do full-gigabit iSCSI connectivity cheaply.
It also enables businesses to extend the reach of their existing Fibre Channel systems using IP as the backbone, Baktha said.
The new ASIC-based adapters include the ASA-7211 iSCSI Adapter, which enables iSCSI SAN connectivity by fully offloading both TCP/IP and iSCSI protocol processing.
Another adapter is the ANA-7711 TCP/IP Offload Adapter, an integrated adapter that provides IP network connectivity for NAS and appliance server applications. The third, the ASR-7511 FC-iSCSI/FCIP Adapter, enables the connection of Fibre Channel SANs over Ethernet and Fibre Channel devices to be connected to iSCSI SANs.
Adaptec officials said they expect OEMs to begin shipping the adapters with their storage and networking products early in the first half of 2002.
The ANA-7711 and ASA-7211 also will be available to channel customers in the first half of 2002. The ASR-7511 is available only to OEMs.