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FCIA ANNOUNCES SANmark QUALIFIED TEST PROVIDER PROGRAM

Fibre Channel Industry Association (FCIA), the storage industry's authority on Fibre Channel technology and standards, announced the SANmark Qualified Test Provider Program for the benefit of members and non-members. Under the program, third-party test vendors are invited to apply to become qualified SANmark test providers to Fibre Channel OEMs. Successful SANmark testing permits manufacturers to use the SANmark trademark on their Fibre Channel products, signifying that they meet the highest industry standards for functionality and interoperability.

FCIA established the SANmark Qualified Test Provider Program to give Fibre Channel OEMs increased testing options through having their products tested against the SANmark-approved test suites by third-party test houses. The program saves OEMs the capital costs of test lab equipment, staffing and training and also speeds time to market.

Bill Martin, principal engineer of Brocade Communications and chair of the SANmark Technical Committee, stated, "The SANmark Qualified Test Provider Program will offer Fibre Channel manufacturers and system integrators added resources from qualified third-party vendors to provide SANmark testing. Products will be professionally and thoroughly tested just as they would be with in-house testing and they will meet the same high standards."

According to I-TECH CEO Steve Bucher, "The development of a SANmark Qualified Test Provider Program is the next step in the process of ensuring that only the highest standards are followed in every facet of the network storage industry. I-TECH's active involvement in the program as a developer of test suites and equipment used by test providers to perform SANmark qualification demonstrates our full commitment to the program's goals of promoting high-quality products and component interoperability."

"As a Fibre Channel test equipment vendor, Finisar wholeheartedly supports the FCIA SANmark Qualified Test Provider initiative," said Kevin Cornell, senior vice president and general manager of Finisar Network Tools. "It will provide a valuable resource to Fibre Channel OEMs who are faced with very complex tests required to meet SANmark standards and carry the SANmark trademark. We look forward to assisting Fibre Channel vendors move their products to market more efficiently and at less cost."