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option 1
overview of the SilkWorm 4900
The Silkworm 4900 offers 64 fixed ports in a 2U enclosure. Ports may be activated incrementally in groups of 16 via pur-
chased software licenses. Protocol coverage is limited to 4Gb Fibre Channel. No 10Gb Fibre Channel, iSCSI or FCIP I/O options
are provided. For an extra charge, manually-configured ISL trunking is offered for up to 8 ports per trunk. The 4900 provides
a power-on Self-Test (POST), online/offline diagnostics, error detection, fault isolation, remote notification of system events
and some non-disruptive software upgrades.
Although basic command line and limited GUI-based utilities are included, enterprise-class software features cost extra.
These costs can add 80% or more to the initial hardware cost, and are normally charged on a per-switch basis. For a starting
price of around $90K MSRP for 32 ports, the Silkworm 4900 does not provide the functionality, serviceability or upgradeability
required to be truly classified as a core switch.
Summary – High Cost, Limited Flexibility, No Upgrade Path
4900
Choosing a mid-Range open Systems Core Switch
Product Pic goes here
BeSt CHoiCe
QLogic SANbox 9100
9100
vs
Designed to the Core
for Open Systems
The SANbox 9100 Stackable Chassis Switch is a unique new class of core switch that combines the intelligence, scalability and
resilience of a Director with the affordability of QLogic's industry-leading stackable fixed-port switches.
The 9100's modular blade/chassis architecture allows almost unlimited expansion and upgrade capability. Scale to 128 ports
in a single high-density 4U chassis module - or upgrade to a 9200 and HyperStack
Director-class configuration. SANbox 9100 features I/O blade options for 4Gb and 10Gb Fibre Channel, iSCSI and FCIP, plus
a Storage Services Platform Blade to pool heterogeneous storage. Hot pluggable, redundant "Customer Replaceable Units"
(CRUs) provide high availability, while Adaptive Trunking automatically optimizes ISL bandwidth throughout the fabric for up to
128 4Gb or 10Gb FC of ports. SANbox 9100 provides non-disruptive firmware upgrades and power supply/fan CRU replace-
ments, power-on Self-Test (POST), online/offline diagnostics with per-port statistics, error detection, fault isolation and remote
notification of events.
Priced affordably starting around $50K MSRP, the SANbox 9100 includes a powerful suite of advanced management software.
Bundled with every SANbox 9100 purchase, Enterprise Fabric Suite 2007
and the embedded QuickTools
web interface, enables IT managers to configure, secure, monitor and expand their SAN as
™
needed across multiple fabrics, maintaining a cost-effective, high-value infrastructure throughout the life of the product.
Summary: Low-Cost, Multi-Protocol Flexibility, Field-Upgradeable to 9200
The SANbox 9100 offers the best growth strategy and the lowest entry cost for IT managers who need a flexible core switch
with long-term investment protection for their data center.
SANbox 9100's modular architecture provides the flexibility and scalability for true core switch use in any environment. With
multi-protocol I/O blade options, plus the only 10Gb ISL capability and customer-replaceable components available, the 9100
offers a scalable, resilient and future-proof low TCO platform for growth.
World-class software features, bundled with the 9100 standard make this switch an attractive high-return investment. Mid-
sized enterprise customers who purchase the 9100 know that as their business approaches Fortune 500 stature, their 9100
Stackable Chassis Switch will continue to maintain its vital contribution to the core of their data center.
Competitive Comparison
option 2
overview of the SANbox 9100
™
two chassis modules for a 256-port
™
™
, along with Fabric Security, a comprehensive CLI
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