Infonetics: Fibre Channel SAN Shows New Life

Worldwide converged data center network adapter revenue was up 13% sequentially in 3Q14, with converged network adapters (CNAs) in the lead, followed by internet small computer system interface (iSCSI) adapters, according to a new report from Infonetics Research. The report tracks storage area network (SAN) Fibre Channel switches and host bus adapters (HBAs), converged data center network adapters, and switch ports-in-use for storage.

Some highlights:

• In 3Q14, the global storage area network (SAN) equipment market, including Fibre Channel switches and host bus adapters (HBAs), grew 10% from 2Q14 to $654 million, and was up 15% from 3Q13
• Another transformation in the converged data center network adapter market is on the horizon: the introduction of 25GE, expected in 2015 targeting large cloud service providers (CSPs)
• Brocade dominates the SAN switch and adapter market, while Intel leads the converged data center network adapter space.

“The long-term downward streak for Fibre Channel SAN equipment was broken in the third quarter of 2014 (3Q14), driven by high performance requirements for flash storage and Cisco’s customers finishing their SAN product evaluation cycles and beginning to scale deployments,” notes Cliff Grossner, Ph. D., directing analyst for data center, cloud, and SDN at Infonetics Research.

“The question remains, however, whether the growth expected from solid-state drive storage and Gen 6 Fibre Channel that’s expected in the coming year will be enough to return the market to increased growth,” continues Grossner. “We believe the answer is yes for the short term, but do not see any evidence that double-digit growth will return to Fibre Channel market.”

http://www.infonetics.com/pr/2014/3Q14-SAN-and-Converged-DC-Network-Equipment-Market-Highlights.asp