Qlogic SANbox2 SANbox2-64 Supplementary Manual

University of
British Columbia
QLogic SANbox2-64 and
SANsurfer Management
®
Software provide hope for
critically ill patients
Problem
A built-out SAN to open and read massive image files,
which can prevent life-threatening diseases, slows the
progress of an elite group of doctors.
Solution
Move beyond port limitations of existing Brocade
switches and install complete QLogic solution to
facilitate performance and growth.
Result
With QLogic SANbox2-64, SANsurfer Management
Software and SANblade HBAs, the research facility has a
state-of-the art SAN solution and satisfied physicians.
An innovative hardware-software solution is more than just a good idea at the
iCAPTURE Centre at St. Paul's Hospital in Vancouver, British Columbia — high
technology plays a key role in saving patients' lives.
So when Information Systems Manager Joe Comeau began closely examining
alternatives to his existing SAN, all paths led to the QLogic SANbox2 64-port
switch, SANsurfer Management Software and SANblade HBAs.
"After looking at all the vendors, QLogic just made the best sense," said
Comeau, who has been IS manager at the hospital for nearly 20 years. "All
of the components are stellar. Plus, the people at QLogic have been totally
responsive at solving problems — even if an allnighter was involved."
The Road To Physical and High-Tech Health
Life is, indeed, mission-critical at iCAPTURE — where a group of doctors
performs research in heart, lung and blood vessel disease. In the process, they
utilize state-of-the-art testing to investigate disease features and genes, with
the hope of finding cures for devastating disorders, such as cystic fibrosis.
Essential to iCAPTURE are disk space and how quickly that stored information
can be put in front of the physician. Prior to installing the new SAN, the
hospital lacked both with its existing 1Gb Brocade switch and eight Intel X330
servers.
"We just didn't have the storage capacity to expand files on the fly," said
Comeau, adding that he serves about 200 clients. "With our new SAN, that's
not a problem."
Total QLogic Solution Solves High-Tech Dilemma
The journey toward this new SAN began by contacting IBM — the hospital's
preferred vendor. However, Comeau's team found IBM-recommended switches
difficult to manage, as well as being limited in terms of scalability.
"After looking at all the vendors, QLogic just made the best sense. All of the com-
ponents are stellar. Plus, the people at QLogic have been totally responsive at
solving problems — even if an all-nighter was involved."
Joe Comeau, — iCAPTURE Information Systems Manager
C A S E S T U D Y