To help protect existing investments, switches are fully forward and backward compatible. This capability enables organizations to deploy 1, 2, and 4 Gbit/sec SAN environments with highly scalable core-to-edge configurations. Brocade switch models offer flexible configurations ranging from 8 to 64 ports, and can function as standalone or edge switches, depending upon specific SAN requirements.

Brocade SAN switch and director offerings help optimize storage networking environments to address the widest range of requirements. This approach helps ensure that existing assets are fully utilized, management remains simple and predictable, and fabrics can scale reliably.

With the Brocade 5000 Switch, native fabric interoperability for both Fabric OS (FOS) and M- Enterprise OS (M-EOS) environments is available in a single platform for the first time. The Brocade 5000 can operate in SAN fabrics running FOS native, FOS open, M-EOS native, and M-EOS open modes - enabling the switch to connect to the vast majority of fabrics in operation today. Moreover, the Brocade 5000 is backed by FOS and M-EOS engineering, test, and support expertise to provide reliable operation in SAN fabrics using any of the supported configurations.