IBM is integrating Brocade Communications Systems Inc.s Fibre Channel switches into its BladeCenter systems, another step in IBMs push to incorporate leading technology into its blade servers.
At the NetWorld+Interop show in Las Vegas, IBM on Tuesday will announce that it is integrating two of Brocades switches—the Entry SAN (storage area network) Switch Module that will support a dual-switch fabric and aimed at small and midsized businesses, and the Enterprise SAN Switch Module, targeted at large SAN deployments and which can connect to fabrics comprising up to 239 switches—into its blade server systems.
The switches will be plugged into the BladeCenter chassis and, combined with other integrated technology such as an Ethernet switch from Cisco Systems Inc., will reduce cabling by as much as 83 percent over rack-optimized systems, said Rob Sauerwalt, global product manager for BladeCenter.
The integration also makes the switches easier to install and manage, Sauerwalt said.
The switches will be available in June.
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