Brocade Simplifies Branch Office Data Management with New Consolidation and Data Protection Solutions

SAN JOSE, Calif., May 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Brocade(R) (NASDAQ: BRCD) , the leader in networked storage solutions that help enterprises connect and manage their information, today extended its File Area Network (FAN) offering by announcing enhanced solutions that enable organizations to simplify administration and control of their branch office file data. The new Brocade Branch File Replication and Consolidation solutions provide a simplified yet comprehensive approach to the protection and management of files distributed across the enterprise-enabling fast remote access, centralized backup, enhanced resiliency, and improved business continuity.

"Enterprises can now affordably and easily integrate data management for all branch sites into a more simplified and centralized enterprise data management strategy," said Tom Buiocchi, Brocade Vice President of Worldwide Marketing. "By seizing control of their branch office data with Brocade solutions, enterprises can increase efficiencies, reduce costs, achieve tighter security, and improve business continuity."

"We are finding that a large number of companies want their data to be close to the people that use it," said Tony Asaro, Senior Analyst at Enterprise Strategy Group. "Caching data to multiple locations is valuable but not a panacea and in some cases just isn't practical. It will often be the case that end users will keep file services local and will replicate this data to a central site for data protection and recovery. It's about providing flexible options and not a one-size-fits-all approach. That is what Brocade is bringing to the table- a smart vision that provides real value to the needs of a wide range of end user requirements."

Improved Data Protection, Replication, and Consolidation Solutions

Brocade Branch File Solutions feature new products and services to make branch office file management easier, more efficient, and more affordable for organizations of all sizes. The enhancements include:

  -- Improved data protection and replication capabilities in Brocade
     StorageX(R) 6.0, which provides branch office replication and namespace
     management for the presentation of file data in branch offices and
     failover of file services for business continuity.  Brocade StorageX is
     ideally suited for organizations that want to keep file servers in
     branch offices for high-performance file access, but that also want to
     replicate their data to a data center for reliable and efficient
     centralized backups and fast data recovery.
  -- Simplified consolidation of branch office file data to centralized data
     centers with Brocade Branch File Manager 2.0, which facilitates
     migration of all physical file resources to a central data center,
     provides fast remote access to centralized files through Brocade Wide
     Area File Services (WAFS) technology, offers namespace management for
     presenting file data in the branch office, and provides failover of
     file services for business continuity. This solution is the choice for
     organizations that want more centralized (data center) management of
     file, print, e-mail, and Web caching services to reduce costs and
     support "lights-out" operations at branch offices.

These two solutions give organizations the choice of consolidating branch office files at the data center or efficiently replicating the files to the data center for centralized backup and easy recovery. With either of these solutions, organizations can reduce the need for remote IT resources and backup systems while providing resilient branch file services and ensuring that data is saved and managed securely in alignment with corporate governance requirements.

Microsoft Integration Simplifies Data Management and Adds Capabilities

The new solutions, like all Brocade FAN offerings, uniquely leverage innovative Microsoft Windows-based technologies to provide seamless integration with enterprise Windows deployments. By supporting Microsoft Active Directory, Common Internet File System (CIFS), Distributed File System (DFS), SMB packet signing, and other Microsoft protocols and management tools, Brocade solutions leverage security, file access, and other Microsoft native features to protect investments and unify management of Windows environments.

About Brocade

Brocade is the leading provider of networked storage solutions that help organizations connect, share, and manage their information. Organizations that use Brocade products and services are better able to optimize their IT infrastructures and ensure compliant data management. For more information, visit the Brocade Web site at http://www.brocade.com/ or contact the company at info@brocade.com.

Brocade, the Brocade B-wing logo, Fabric OS, File Lifecycle Manager, MyView, Secure Fabric OS, SilkWorm, and StorageX are registered trademarks and the Brocade B-weave symbol and Tapestry are trademarks of Brocade Communications Systems, Inc., in the United States and/or in other countries. FICON is a registered trademark of IBM Corporation in the U.S. and other countries. All other brands, products, or service names are or may be trademarks or service marks of, and are used to identify, products or services of their respective owners.