The Brocade 3200 is a solid box and I have used Brocade for about 7 years with almost no real problems. However, I have started using the QLogic 5200 recently due to its REALLY lower price and have not had any problems with it either. But the QLogic isn't on the compatibility matrix. I have also used the CISCO 9216, which I like better than Brocade but it is also pricey. Keep in mind that in this case, you are not doing FCP so the compatibility matrix for FCP does not directly apply.

For the Windows 2003 box, I have used Emulex, QLogic, LSI and JNI (now AMCC) Host Bus Adapters (Fibre Channel NICs) and I really prefer the QLogic 2340 (or 2342 for a dual port). It is the only card I have used that NEVER had a problem.

Tim Sesow VP Engineering 303-948-3360 cell 303-809-8070

-----Original Message----- From: owner-toasters@mathworks.com [mailto:owner-toasters@mathworks.com] On Behalf Of SKIP HOFMANN Sent: Wednesday, September 15, 2004 11:37 AM To: toasters@mathworks.com Cc: RAYMUND SANTOS Subject: Fiber San

Hi all

We currently have an R200 that holds around 2 TB's of data. We have been backing this up using Cifs shares with Veritas backup exec, needles to say this has been a very painful and slow process. We are now looking into the idea of building a fiber SAN. Our Backup tape device is a Scalar 24 the drive is an IBM ULTRIUM-TD2, the server that will be running netback up is a windows 2003 server, and this along with the R200 will be plugged into the Fiber SAN. What I would like some advice on here is what type of fiber switch would you all recommend? I was looking at the 3200 also any recommendations on fiber nic cards for my 2003 box? http://www.brocade.com/products/silkworm/silkworm_3200/sw_3200.jsp

Thanks for any comments on this

Skip Hofmann Senior Network Administrator TetraTech Skip.Hofmann@ttisg.com 949 500 5286 cell 949 608 5801 office