Brocade Fabric Switches Adopted by HDS on Hitachi Unified Compute Platform

Brocade Communications Systems, Inc. announced that several of its Ethernet and SAN fabric switches have been integrated by Hitachi Data Systems for networking technology in the new Hitachi Unified Compute Platform (UCP) converged infrastructure solutions, recently announced.

Brocade is delivering both top-of-rack switches as well as embedded server switches based on FC and Ethernet technologies, reinforcing the company in its ability to offer data center networking solutions for critical IT and service provider environments.

Specifically, Brocade Ethernet and SAN fabric products have been designed into Hitachi UCP pre-validated reference solutions and integrated turnkey solutions, which are built with world-class Hitachi storage and servers. The solutions are designed to offer customers the choice and flexibility to support hypervisor, database and application environments, including Citrix, Microsoft, Oracle, SAP and VMware.

Brocade products offered through Hitachi UCP are:

• VDX 6720 Switch for Ethernet fabrics
• VDX 6746 Embedded Switch for Ethernet fabrics
• 6510 Switch for FC SAN fabrics
• 5460 Embedded Switch for FC SAN fabrics

"Brocade was selected as a valued component of the Hitachi UCP family of solutions based on our proven track record for delivering networking solutions with unprecedented simplicity and automation, massive scalability and reliability for consolidating business-critical enterprise applications," said Jason Nolet, VP, Data Center Networking Group, at Brocade. "Brocade networking solutions provide a highly resilient foundation for the Hitachi storage and server options to support industry-leading hypervisor, database and application environments. Customers simply select the infrastructure options that meet their needs, with the assurance of built-in flexibility and interoperability to scale the architecture as business needs change."

VDX standalone and embedded Ethernet fabric switches deliver a simplified data center network for Hitachi UCP converged infrastructure solutions. Designed for highly virtualized environments, Ethernet fabrics built on Brocade VCS Fabric technology accelerate application deployment and enable faster VM migrations through zero-touch VM discovery, VM mobility and VM port configuration migration. Using VCS fabrics, Hitachi UCP customers can manage up to dozens of switches as a single logical device, reducing operational costs. They can also save installation time as new switches self-provision when they are connected to the fabric.

Based on the latest 16 Gbps FC industry standard, the standalone and embedded switches combine simplicity and enterprise functionality to enable flexibility and reliability for Hitachi UCP solutions. Simplified deployment and a point-and-click user interface make the SAN switches both powerful and easy to use, while providing investment protection and ‘pay-as-you-grow’ scalability to meet the needs of an evolving storage environment.

"Brocade’s strategic partnership with Hitachi Data Systems has generated a decade-plus track record of success in our mutual channel partners and customers," said Ravi Chalaka, VP, Solutions Marketing, at Hitachi Data Systems. "Over this time, we’ve worked together to integrate and provide networking products from across Brocade’s portfolio with outstanding results, so we are pleased and excited that Brocade networking technologies are featured components of the Hitachi UCP family of solutions."

Hitachi UCP solutions were demonstrated at the HDS booth at VMworld 2012 Europe taking place at the Gran Via Barcelona in Barcelona, Spain from October 9 – 11, 2012.