Agilent Unveils Intelligent 8-port Bypass Circuit for Fibre Channel
10/24/2003 - Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) announced an 8-port bypass circuit (PBC) device that provides 1 Gb/s or 2 Gb/s operation and features redundant links, diagnostics, and isolation and signal clean-up capabilities for high-speed serial Fibre Channel Arbitrated Loop signals within JBOD (just a bunch of disks), RAID (redundant array of inexpensive drives) or Fibre Channel storage subsystems.
The most basic function of the port bypass circuit is to permit individual disk drives to be added to or taken out of the array and "hot swapped" without affecting the operation of the remaining drives or of the overall data storage subsystem. By adding intelligent functions to the port bypass circuit hardware, the Agilent HDMP-0528 PBC offers an economical way to reduce system downtime and costs, and to improve the performance of the mass storage subsystem.
"We are pleased to be among the first to offer an intelligent port bypass circuit that helps our customers reduce downtime and cost per port," said Erik Ottem, marketing director of Agilent's Storage Networking Division. "This PBC fits in the same storage subsystem applications as our Tachyon DX2+ Fibre Channel controller, enabling one-stop component shopping for our storage networking customers."
Four of the Agilent HDMP-0528 PBC's eight ports incorporate integrated clock and data recovery (CDR). Each CDR can be configured to work in buffer mode, repeater mode or re-timer mode. In buffer mode, the signal bypasses the CDR and is sent directly to the output port. In repeater mode, data is re-transmitted using the recovered clock, attenuating jitter while adding minimal latency. In re-timer mode, the incoming data is re-timed using a local reference clock, ensuring no jitter is transferred to the re-transmitted signal.
The advanced port diagnostic features of the Agilent HDMP-0528 allow systems to independently monitor each of the CDR ports. Multiple HDMP-0528 PBCs may be cascaded or connected to other Agilent PBC devices to create loops for a virtually unlimited number of disk drives.
The Agilent HDMP-0528 also incorporates an integrated advanced threshold detect/auto bypass (TDAB) function. With the TDAB function the Agilent PBC offers the capability of monitoring errors and signal behavior and may be programmed to provide the system with valuable diagnostic data indicating the quality and state of the link. If desired, the TDAB function can be programmed to bypass problematic links automatically without requiring system intervention.
In addition, the Agilent HDMP-0528 provides signal-loss equalization at each CDR input port to correct distortion from the received signal. The device provides user-selectable 100-ohm or 150-ohm impedance on both the input and output ports from pin control or via a two-wire interface. In addition, the two-wire interface allows control and diagnostic capabilities for enhanced operation.
The Agilent HDMP-0528 is supplied in a compact 144-pin 20 mm x 20 mm exposed-pad PQFP (plastic quad flatpack) with 2 kV HBM (human body model) ESD protection to minimize damage during handling and operation from -10 ºC to +85 ºC (case temperature).
U.S. Pricing and Availability
The Agilent HDMP-0528 PBC is available in samples to select customers through Agilent's direct sales channel. Volume production is expected in the third quarter of 2004, with target pricing of $19.63 each in 25,000- to 49,000-unit quantities.
Agilent Storage Networking Solutions
Agilent is a leading supplier of 1 and 2 Gb/s Fibre Channel solutions for the high-performance, enterprise-class SAN market, and is a world leader in fiber optics and ICs for the Ethernet market. Agilent provides industry-leading Tachyon Fibre Channel controllers, InfiniBand switch ICs, fiber optics, physical layer ICs, and integrated Fibre Channel and iSCSI adapter boards. Agilent also offers test and measurement solutions for the storage networking market. More information is available at www.agilent.com/view/storage.
About Agilent Technologies
Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) is a global technology leader in communications, electronics, life sciences and chemical analysis. The company's 30,000 employees serve customers in more than 110 countries. Agilent had net revenue of $6 billion in fiscal year 2002. Information about Agilent is available on the Web at www.agilent.com.
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