PMC-Sierra Announces Enhanced 4G Fibre Channel

PMC-Sierra today announced a complete storage enclosure architecture for 4G Fibre Channel SAN and NAS storage systems. The PM8393 Storage Management Controller joins the PMC-Sierra PM8379 CTS 20x4G, PM8378 CTS 18x4G and PM8375 CTS 4x4G Fibre Channel loop switch product family to provide a complete hardware and firmware reference design. This low cost, scalable 4G Fibre Channel architecture enables storage systems OEMs to differentiate their product offerings through innovative enclosure services, system performance and diagnostics. "As storage suppliers develop next-generation storage systems that meet end customers' demands for more flexible yet higher capacity storage products, they require component technologies that boost system reliability and manageability," said Richard Villars, Vice President of Storage Systems Research at IDC. "Solutions like PMC Sierra's Fibre Channel loop switch product family with a storage management controller will enable storage systems suppliers to deliver more competitive and more capable storage solutions." "PMC-Sierra continues to work closely with customers to create storage system solutions that not only increase system performance and diagnostics, but also aggressively reduce total system cost," said Mark Stibitz, Vice President and General Manager, Enterprise Storage Division at PMC-Sierra. "PMC-Sierra's 4G Fibre Channel loop switch product family provides a feature-rich, low cost architecture that enables storage OEMs to quickly transition from 2G to 4G Fibre Channel systems." The PM8393 Storage Management Controller works seamlessly with the PMC-Sierra loop switch family to provide a high-density solution for Fibre Channel Hard Disk Drive enclosures (see Figure 1). The Storage Management Controller integrates a 32-bit MIPS-Powered(TM) processor and includes a complete enclosure services software kit to significantly reduce system software development. The device also integrates four Two Wire Interfaces (TWI), eight Fan Control PWM/Tachometers, 128 GPIOs, four UARTs and numerous timers. Using an industry proven Fibre Channel interface provided by PlexStar Technologies, the Storage Management Controller also includes a 1/2/4G Fibre Channel port for in-band storage enclosure services (SES). "PMC-Sierra and PlexStar Technologies are dedicated to expanding the capability of Fibre Channel in both Enterprise and Small/Medium Business applications. The Storage Management Controller and CTS product family from PMC-Sierra provide an excellent platform for designing low cost, high performance and highly reliable Fibre Channel storage solutions," said Horst L. Truestedt, President and Chief Technology Officer at PlexStar Technologies, Inc.