Brocade SilkWorm Family of SAN Infrastructure Solutions

SilkWorm Family of SAN Infrastructure Solutions

Brocade develops Storage Area Network (SAN) infrastructure solutions that simplify the deployment and management of SANs while providing high Return On Investment (ROI).

Silkworm Fabric Directors and Switches

Brocade SilkWorm fabric directors and switches provide a flexible, intelligent platform for networking storage. With models ranging from entry-level 8-port fabric switches to 256-port directors, the SilkWorm family addresses the needs of small departments and global enterprises alike. 1, 2, and 4 Gbit/sec solutions are available to support high-performance requirements.

Silkworm Multiprotocol Router

The Brocade SilkWorm Multiprotocol Router provides a unique platform that increases SAN connectivity options and improves resource utilization. By integrating multiple services in a central platform, the Multiprotocol Router helps provide a flexible foundation for implementing Information Lifecycle Management (ILM) and business continuance operations within Brocade and multivendor SAN environments.

Bladed Server SAN's

Brocade develops Blade Server SAN switch modules with OEM Partners. Based on field-proven SilkWorm switch technology, these modules are inserted into the blade server chassis to reduce IT footprint and connectivity costs, as well as simplify infrastructure to improve manageability and performance. The modules provide:

• Easier maintenance with a single management interface and streamlined SAN administration
• Reduced cabling and lower implementation cost through internal wiring to the servers
• Optimal performance with enhanced ISL Trunking
  

Silkworm Software

Brocade offers a broad suite of software products that enable organizations to manage SAN environments more efficiently. At the center of these offerings is the industry's only distributed operating system for SANs: Brocade Fabric OS. Brocade also works with a variety of partners to ensure that its software offerings are interoperable with other industry-leading SAN applications and management tools.

Fabric Operating System

The Fabric OS used in every SilkWorm product contains a set of essential fabric services that improve manageability, availability, and scalability. These critical services enable organizations to create a fabric that ensures that information is available when servers and storage devices need it.
Brocade also provides Secure Fabric OS, the most comprehensive SAN security architecture available. Secure Fabric OS enables organizations to control authorization, access, encryption, and authentication for their SAN environments.

Fabric Connectivity

Fabric Connectivity Services are designed to improve the investment protection, performance, scalability, and efficiency of Brocade SAN fabrics. They are available as optional licensed features.

Fabric Management Services

The Fabric Management Services framework is designed to support the widest range of solutions - from very small SANs up to multiple-fabric SANs where centralized management and automated administration are the only economical solutions.

Fabric Application Services

Brocade has announced plans to deliver the Brocade SilkWorm Fabric Application Platform. The SilkWorm Fabric AP is the industry's first open, intelligent platform for fabric applications, enabling organizations to gain new, simpler, and more efficient ways to manage their server and storage environments through intelligent, fabric-based applications.

Fabric applications offer key software-based storage service functions that are hosted on scalable, optimized devices within the SAN fabric, instead of on hosts and storage systems. Examples include fabric-based volume management, data replication, and data management.