LSI Logic Storage Systems and Vixel Announce the Certification of Vixel Switches with LSI Logic's MetaStor Storage Systems

Business Wire, March 13, 2001

Business Editors, High-Tech Writers

BOTHELL, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 13, 2001

Vixel 7000 Series Switches Tested and Approved for use

with MetaStor(R) E-Series Family

Vixel Corporation (Nasdaq:VIXL) and LSI Logic Storage Systems, Inc. (NYSE:LSI) today announced that Vixel switches have successfully completed product testing in LSI Logic's certified compatible interoperability logo program.

Vixel's 7000 Series Fibre Channel Switches underwent extensive testing to be certified with the MetaStor E2400, E3300 and E4400 storage systems from LSI Logic. This certification assures interoperability between the two companies' products under a variety of operating systems and configurations, enabling customers to quickly and reliably deploy SAN (Storage Area Network) solutions based upon these devices.

LSI Logic's certified compatible program assures customers that SAN elements awarded the logo will work properly together. In cooperation with its Alliance Partners, extensive testing is conducted to verify interoperability between multiple SAN components. Training each other's support organization is also part of the program to streamline problem resolution should it occur.

"The certification of Vixel's products in LSI Logic's certified compatible program proves that these two companies are rising to the challenge of offering products that enable resellers and integrators to deliver reliable and interoperable storage solutions to their customers," said Dan Carson, vice president, marketing & business development at Open Systems Solutions, Inc. "Both Vixel and LSI are demonstrating their commitment to easing the implementation process for their partners, which is critical to ensuring confidence in our combined storage solutions."

Vixel and LSI Logic Storage Systems conducted the testing and certification of Vixel's 7100 and 7200 Fibre Channel switches in both LSI Logic's Interoperability lab and in Vixel's Solutions and Interoperability Lab. Vixel's Solutions and Interoperability Lab, which was launched last year, was designed to streamline the process of certifying multivendor storage solutions. Through LSI Logic's certification program, Vixel's switches have been tested and certified with LSI Logic's MetaStor Storage Systems in multiple configurations for all operating systems including UNIX, Solaris, Windows NT/2000 and HP-UX.

"By demonstrating a broad level of compatibility between the companies' products, Vixel and LSI are easing the implementation process necessary for successful SAN deployment," said Ed Reilly, vice president of customer support and professional services, Vixel Corporation. "Vixel is proud to be certified in LSI Logic's program. This is yet another demonstration of our commitment to making SANs easy to use and highly reliable."

Vixel's switches offer a seamless migration path to full fabric environments and the industry's highest READ rates and frame buffers per port, making them extremely stable under demanding load conditions. The 7200 switch has the highest GBIC-based port density on the market today with 16 ports in a 1U-form factor. The 7100 switch supports eight ports, delivering 100Mbps of performance on each port.

The Metastor family of enterprise storage solutions from LSI Logic Storage Systems offers unparalleled scalability, providing customers the ability to scale from 36 GB to 16 TB in a single system without having to take their system offline. In addition, the unique multipathing architecture of the MetaStor E-Series products delivers balanced performance across a wide range of workloads, avoiding worries about protecting storage investments or consolidating new applications.

"The joint testing and certification of Vixel's switches with LSI Logic's MetaStor Storage Systems complements our commitment to delivering end-to-end solutions that are reliable and compatible. We look forward to continuing our relationship with Vixel, and we are eager to provide our mutual customers tested and approved storage solutions," said Gerard Meluso, director of alliances LSI Logic Storage Systems. "By certifying our SAN technologies together, our integration partners and customers have the highest level of assurance that the storage solutions they choose will operate smoothly."

In October 2000, Vixel partnered with LSI Logic Storage Systems and QLogic to deliver a Fibre Channel SAN-based server clustering solution for Windows 2000/NT based environments. Termed "SAN Cluster," the solution is pre-configured and certified, making it ideal for small to mid-size companies. The solution employs the MetaStor(R) E2400 entry-level Fibre Channel storage system from LSI, Vixel's 2100 Managed Hub with Zoning and QLogic's QLA2200 series host bus adapter.

Except for historical information contained herein, this news release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause such a difference include risks affecting performance and market acceptance of Vixel's products, Vixel's ability to meet its quality and performance standards, development of the storage area network, or SAN market, the competitiveness and performance of Vixel's products in the rapidly changing SAN market and the ability of Vixel to meet evolving product standards required by customers and others involved in the distribution channel for SAN products. Further information on the factors and risks that could affect Vixel's business, financial condition and results of operations, are contained in Vixel's Annual Report on Form 10-K, and most recent Form 10Q, which are available at www.sec.gov.