HP Adds Brocade Switch

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Brocade(R) (NASDAQ: BRCD), today announced that the 4 Gb/sec Brocade 5000 Switch has been added to the HP B-Series portfolio of networked storage solutions, further extending Brocade's position as an industry-leading storage area network (SAN) technology provider.

The Brocade 5000 offers enterprise-class capabilities and performance, and is suitable for departmental SANs or core-edge enterprise SANs. The high- performance 4 Gb/sec switch is packaged in a compact 1U form factor with Ports on Demand capabilities to enable scaling from 16 to 24 or 32 ports. The Brocade 5000 provides customers greater ease in SAN deployment and management by allowing non-disruptive expansion of existing SAN fabrics with existing management tools that enhance fabric-wide performance.

The Brocade 5000 switch extends a commitment to delivering energy- efficient solutions. In fact, it consumes up to 76 percent less power than competing products on the market today. As a result, it is an ideal solution for reducing power and cooling requirements, as well as ongoing operational costs.

"Brocade shares with HP a commitment to simplifying IT management and delivering the next-generation of networked storage solutions that help customers improve SAN interoperability and lower their total cost of ownership," said Tom Buiocchi, vice president of worldwide marketing, Brocade. "Combining the advanced capabilities of the new Brocade 5000 Switch and HP storage systems provides customers with industry-leading interoperability and investment protection."

Brocade Communications Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: BRCD)Hewlett-Packard Co.