Intel Cost-Effectively Doubles Performance Of Today's Fibre Channel Storage Systems To Enable Emerging Applications

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Feb. 9, 2004 - Intel Corporation today introduced two optical transceivers that will double the performance of Fibre Channel storage systems at about the same cost.

The new transceivers support the 4-Gbps Fibre Channel specification, which is emerging as a solution to bottlenecks occurring in today's 2-Gbps storage-area networks, but where 10-Gbps systems would not be required.

"Video- and graphics-rich applications, plus new requirements for increased document retention and security, are driving the need for faster storage networks," said Bob Zona, marketing director of Intel's Optical Products Division. "The new 4-Gbps transceivers are aimed at systems that can meet those needs, and at roughly the same price as 2-Gbps transceivers when purchased in volume."

"Emulex is working with Intel and other key industry players to ensure broad deployment of reliable and robust 4-Gbps Fibre Channel solutions," said Mike Smith, Emulex executive vice president of worldwide marketing. "As the first company to deliver 4-Gbps embedded storage switches, Emulex is fully committed to deploying a broad family of building-block solutions for 4-Gbps technology. We are working closely with Intel to ensure complete compatibility and interoperability of our planned 4-Gbps products with Intel's new optical transceivers."

The two 4-Gbps optical transceivers Intel introduced today are aimed at host bus adaptors (HBA), switches and redundant-array-of-independent-disks (RAID) modules that provide high-speed optical connections for the emerging generation of 4-Gbps Fibre Channel storage systems. Both products are compatible with 2- and 1-Gbps in the field today, providing an easy, cost-effective upgrade path. The new transceivers conform to multi-source agreements (MSA) -- standards that define electrical, physical and other characteristics, providing storage equipment makers with compatible building blocks that reduce design time and cost.

The new Intel® TXN31015 optical transceiver is based on the compact Small Form Factor (SFF) MSA, and is targeted at HBAs and RAID applications in storage-area networks. The Intel® TXN31115 optical transceiver is based on the Small Form Factor Pluggable (SFP) MSA and is designed for 4-Gbps Fibre Channel switches. Its hot-plug capability enables flexible installation during manufacturing and in the field. Both transceivers are designed to operate on the 850nm multimode optical fiber found in 90 percent of enterprise networks.

"The new transceivers complement our broad line of 10-Gbps transceivers, offering storage system vendors a range of optical options for all levels of storage systems," Zona said.

The Intel TXN31015 and TXN31115 transceivers are sampling today, and will be shipping in production quantities in the second half of 2004. They are priced at $47 in sample quantities of 1,000, and will be price competitive with 2/1-Gbps solutions in volume orders.

New Products for Entry-Level Systems
Rounding out Intel's optical transceiver family are two new transceivers for entry-level 2- and 1-Gbps Fibre Channel and Ethernet storage systems. The new 2/1-Gbps Intel® TXN31011 SFF and TXN31111 SFP transceivers operate at 2- and 1-Gbps Fibre Channel and at 1-Gbps Ethernet rates. They are designed for Fibre Channel HBAs and switches, and Ethernet network interface cards. Both are available now and priced at $35 in quantities of 1,000.

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