QLogic Corporation Announces Ultra2 SCSI Processor Chip at COMDEX; Dual-Processor Architecture Minimizes Host-CPU Utilization, Supports 64-bit PCI Host-Bus Interface

Business Wire, Nov 17, 1997

COSTA MESA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 17, 1997--QLogic Corporation (NASDAQ:QLGC) today announced the ISP1080 PCI-to-Ultra2 SCSI processor chip, the latest member of its industry-leading ISP SCSI processor product line. Featuring a 64-bit PCI host-bus interface and a powerful, dual-processor architecture, the ISP1080 supports Ultra2 data transfer rates of up to 80 Mbytes/sec and PCI transfer rates of up to 264 Mbytes/sec, while minimizing host-CPU utilization.

"Ultra2 provides SCSI applications with additional growth without impacting host-software compatibility," said Larry Fortmuller, vice president and general manager of QLogic's Computer Systems Group. "The ISP1080 allows our customers to evolve their existing parallel SCSI product lines to unprecthe design-in effort is dramatically simplified.without host-system inte rvention (no more than one system interrupt is generated per SCSI I/O), substantially reducing host-CPU utilization. Two independent DMA channels enable commands and data to be processed simultaneously, further enhancing system performance.

64-bit PCI Host Interface

The ISP1080 supports a 64-bit PCI bus interface, enabling data transfer rates up to 264 Mbytes/sec when communicating with the host system. Sixty-four-bit PCI is an important capability in performance-sensitive applications, since the data transfer rates generated by the Ultra2 SCSI channel (up to 80 Mbytes/sec) can nearly saturate some existing 32-bit PCI-based systems. The ISP1080 is fully backward compatible with 32-bit PCI applications.

Ultra2 Low-Voltage Differential (LVD) SCSI Interface

The ISP1080 contains a universal Ultra2 SCSI interface which supports either Ultra2 LVD or single-ended SCSI operation. Ultra2 LVD increases the maximum SCSI transfer rate to 80 Mbytes/sec while supporting a maximum cable length of 12 meters. Legacy SCSI devices (which support SCSI standards prior to Ultra2) can also be supported using single-ended Fast or Ultra SCSI operation, with a maximum data transfer rate of 40 Mbytes/sec.

Host-Software Compatibility And I2O Compliance

ISP1080 software drivers are available for all major operating systems. The ISP1080 also maintains a high degree of host-software compatibility with QLogic's industry-leading ISP2100 PCI-to-Fibre Channel processor chip, enabling easy porting of parallel SCSI software drivers to Fibre Channel. Such compatibility enables QLogic customers to retain their host-software investment while migrating to new I/O interface technologies.

The ISP1080 is fully compliant with the I2O specification.

Package and Availability

The ISP1080 ships in a 352-pin TE/PBGA package. Samples of the ISP1080 will begin shipping later this month.

About QLogic

QLogic Corp. is a leading designer and supplier of semiconductor and board-level I/O products. The company's products provide high-performance interface connections for computer systems and their attached data storage peripherals, such as hard disk and tape drives, CD-ROM drives and RAID subsystems. QLogic provides I/O technology solutions by designing and marketing single-chip controller and adapter board products for both sides of the computer/peripheral device interlink, or "bus." Historically, the company has targeted the high-performance sector of the I/O market, focusing primarily on the SCSI standard. The company is utilizing its I/O expertise to develop products for emerging I/O standards such as Fibre Channel, which is experiencing early industry acceptance as a higher performance solution that maintains signal integrity while allowing for increased connectivity between a computer system and its data storage peripherals.

Forward-looking statements contained in this document may involve risks and uncertainties. The company wishes to advise readers that a number of important risk factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Those factors include new and changing technologies; a change in semiconductor foundry conditions; fluctuations or cancellations in orders from customers; and the company's ability to compete effectively with other companies. These and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially are also discussed in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its recent filings on Form S-3, Form 10-K, and Form 10-Q.

For more information about QLogic and its product lines, contact QLogic Corp., 3545 Harbor Blvd., Costa Mesa, CA 92626; telephone: 800/662-4471 (sales); 714/438-2200 (corporate); fax: 714/668-5008; home page http://www.qlc.com . -0-

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