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SAN VALLEY'S SL1000 RECEIVES BROCADE FABRIC AWARE STATUS

SAN Valley Systems, a leader in high-performance IP-SAN connectivity solutions, announced that its SL1000 IP-SAN Gateway has been verified by Brocade Communications Systems Inc (Brocade) as interoperable with Brocade-based storage area network (SAN) infrastructure in testing conducted through the Brocade Fabric Aware Program, an end-to-end interoperability initiative for SANs.

The program is a comprehensive testing and configuration initiative designed to foster seamless SAN interoperability in multi-vendor, Brocade-based SAN environments. The Brocade Fabric Aware Program has added more than 40 partners since its launch in 2000. In addition, as part of its investment in SAN interoperability, Brocade actively supports its partners' interoperability initiatives.

SAN Valley Systems is also participating in the Brocade Fabric Threads Developer Program. The Brocade Fabric Threads Developer Program includes leading providers of SAN hardware and software solutions that use the Brocade SAN infrastructure to facilitate interoperability in multi-vendor storage environments.

"We are pleased that SAN Valley has successfully completed the Fabric Aware testing with Brocade Fibre Channel fabric switches in heterogeneous SAN environments," said Jay Kidd, Brocade vice president of product marketing. "Storage area networks are being deployed worldwide at a rapid rate as a scalable, high-performance networking foundation for storage environments. End users are implementing large fabric SANs comprising hundreds of storage subsystems, servers and networking technologies, all from multiple vendors. The Fabric Aware program is an example of our continued investment in delivering end-to-end SAN interoperability to our partners and their customers."

"As SANs grow in complexity and size, SAN Valley is taking every step to ensure seamless connectivity and interoperability," stated Niraj Jain, vice president of marketing and business development at SAN Valley. "Not only is this certification great for our current channel partners, but it provides a certain peace of mind for the end user as well. Our technology will not disrupt existing networks and integrates easily into SANs to provide enterprises with connectivity over MAN/WAN distances at wire speeds."

About the Brocade Fabric Aware Program

The Brocade Fabric Aware program is a comprehensive testing and configuration initiative designed to foster end-to-end SAN interoperability in a multi-vendor, heterogeneous environment. As part of the program, companies agree to specify, test, and jointly support pre-tested SAN configurations that comprise a heterogeneous mix of servers, storage subsystems, fabric switches and other SAN technologies in an enterprise environment. Brocade has created an interoperability lab comprising a 24-switch SAN fabric, in which the company tests and validates partner equipment in specific configurations. Vendors receive Brocade Fabric Aware qualification after completing rigorous tests to confirm that vendor's products meet interoperability guidelines in specified, Brocade-based SAN configurations that span multi-vendor storage subsystems, servers and SAN components.

About SAN Valley Systems

SAN Valley Systems delivers high-performance IP-SAN connectivity solutions into enterprise, service provider and carrier markets worldwide. SAN Valley develops and markets networking solutions that connect storage resources across IP and Optical networks. SAN Valley's advanced, IP-storage products deliver seamless connectivity that address common storage challenges encountered by today's enterprise and service provider customers. SAN Valley's products interoperate with best-of-breed networking, SAN and optical technologies, to provide end-to-end storage networking solutions. The company's products provide investment protection by reducing the cost and complexity of deploying and managing mission-critical storage services.

Headquartered in San Jose, Calif., SAN Valley Systems is a privately held company with funding from Moore Capital, Upstart Capital, Vertex Management, Innovacom Venture Capital, Agilent Technologies and Cisco Systems. The company's European subsidiary is located in Marlow, England. SAN Valley Systems is a voting member of SNIA and a founding member of SNIA IP Storage Forum and an active member of the Fibre Channel Industry Association (FCIA). More information can be found at www.sanvalley.com.

Contact Donna L. Sellers of SAN Valley Systems Inc, 408-284-6266, donna.sellers@sanvalley.com.