Profile: Brocade Communications Systems, Inc. (BRCD.O)

Brocade Communications Systems, Inc. (Brocade), incorporated on August 24, 1995, is a supplier of data center networking solutions that help enterprises connect and manage their information. The Company offers a line of data center networking hardware, software products and services. The Company is organized in four operating units: The Data Center Infrastructure (DCI), The Server Edge and Storage (SES), The Services, Support and Solutions (S3) and The Files (Files). Brocade products and services are marketed, sold to end-user customers through distribution partners, including original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), distributors, systems integrators, value-added resellers (VARs) and by Brocade directly. On March 17, 2008, the Company completed its acquisition of Strategic Business Systems, Inc. In December 2008, Brocade announced that it has completed its acquisition of Foundry Networks, Inc.

Storage Networking Solutions

Brocade’s family of storage network directors, switches and bladed switch products provide interconnections, bandwidth and high-speed routing of data between servers and storage devices. Product models range from entry-level 8-port fabric switches to 896-port directors with multiple options, addressing the needs of small departments and global enterprises alike. All switches and directors support key applications, such as data backup, remote mirroring and high-availability clustering, as well as high-volume transaction processing applications, such as enterprise resource planning (ERP) and data warehousing. The Brocade Fabric Operating System (Fabric OS), is the operating system that provides the infrastructure for deploying storage networks. Brocade’s storage networks management operating system also includes a common set of optional advanced software services that build upon the foundation of Fabric OS.

Server Connectivity Solutions

Brocade delivers next-generation server connectivity products, commonly referred to as host bus adapters (HBAs). These next-generation offerings include eight gigabit per second Fibre Channel and 10 Gigabit Ethernet technologies.

Brocade Services

Brocade offers a range of professional and support services to facilitate customer projects, to assist customers in the design, implementation, management and operation of their data centers, and to provide extended customer support. Brocade services may be delivered directly to end-user customers or via partners as a component of a broader service and support offering.

File Data Management Solutions

The Company’s solutions include Brocade StorageX and Brocade File Management Engine. Brocade StorageX is an integrated suite of applications designed to logically aggregate distributed file data across heterogeneous environments, providing administrators with policies to better manage and automate distributed file data. Brocade File Management Engine utilizes technology for true open file migration, thereby simplifying file management and enabling organizations to virtualize their files.

The Company competes with Cisco Systems, Inc., QLogic Corporation and Emulex Corporation.