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Interactive scorecard and NetResults: SAN switches

Network World Fusion, 08/21/00

Every network is unique. This calculator lets you change the weights given to scores from our review to see which product might be best suited for your needs. Here's how it works: In each category, our reviewers rated the apps on a 1-10 basis. These ratings are then multiplied by the percentage weighting, and then added up to give an overall product score. Any score above 9 is considered "world class."

For each category below, assign the percentage weight you think is most appropriate. The percent-o-meter box on the right will keep track of your weightings to let you know when you've reached 100%. When you fill in the last box, hit your enter key, and you'll see how the apps rate (along with our final scores for comparison).

NetResults

SilkWorm 2400 (eight port)

SilkWorm 2800 (16 port)

Firmware FabricOS 2.1.7

Brocade Web Tools 2.17 management
Rating: 8.40
Company: Brocade Communications (408) 487-8000
Cost: $1,381 to $1,488 per port with DB-9 copper ports; $1,621 to $1,728 per port with multimode optical ports.
Pros: Real plug and play; best performance; redundant power in all switch models.
Cons: No online help with management interface; CLI is difficult.

SANbox 8 (eight port)

SANbox 16 HA (16 port)

Firmware 3.033

SANsurfer 2.07.30 management
Rating: 7.05
Company: QLogic, (952) 932-4000
Cost: $1,350 to $1,537 per port with all DB-9 copper ports; $1,630 to $1,817 per port with all multimode optical ports.
Pros: Best management of products tested; automatic load balancing.
Cons: Difficult to get up and running; no console port.

7100 switch (eight port)

7200 switch (16 port)

Firmware 2.0

SAN InSite 2000 3.0 (beta) management
Rating: 6.70
Company: Vixel (425) 806-5509
Cost: $1,124 to $1,248 per port with all DB-9 copper ports; $1,215 to $1,244 per port with all multimode optical ports.
Pros: High port density; nice event logon management interface.
Cons: Inconsistent performance; hard to get up and running.

Capellix 2000G (eight base ports, plus three via plug-in module)

Firmware 1.1

Ventana SANtools 1.1 management
Rating: 6.40
Company: Gadzoox Networks (408) 360-4950
Cost: $732 or $845 per port for 11 or eight DB-9 copper ports; $932 or $1,120 per port for 11 or eight multimode optical ports.
Pros: Supports three-port expansion module; fast and easy to get up and running; good performance.
Cons: No multiswitch fabric support; no redundant power supply option.