IT managers now have a choice when considering SAN management options. The QLA405x iSCSI HBAs provide connectivity to SANs over Ethernet and TCP/IP network infrastructures (switches, routers, and VPN appliances). Using a widely deployed and familiar networking technology, iSCSI can lower the total cost of ownership to better manage and support storage networking. By offloading the iSCSI and TCP/IP protocol to the adapter, the QLA405x eliminates the processing, interrupts, and bus accesses required to support protocols in host software. The QLA405x virtually eliminates the host CPU system processing required for iSCSI and TCP/IP, delivering the equivalent initialization and host processing performance of direct attach storage (DAS) and Fiber Channel (FC) SANs. The SANsurfer iSCSI HBA Manager, part of the SANsurfer Management Suite, is an easy to use device management tool used for the installation, configuration, and management of QLogic HBAs. All HBAs in the SANblade iSCSI family are managed by the QLogic SANsurfer iSCSI HBA Manager to provide centralized management and remote control of distributed HBAs. The QLA405x is also fully compatible with management applications that support the MS WMI, SNIA IMA, and SMI-S standards, allowing IT managers to manage QLogic HBAs through third-party software applications. By offloading the iSCSI protocol, the QLA405x uses the existing storage interface of the operating system. Using a familiar storage interface allows the QLA405x to support proven LUN and target level fail-over functionality, storage SAN boot, and existing SAN management and application software. QLogic offers the broadest range of support for all major operating systems to ensure OS and hardware server compatibility. Drivers are fully tested with industry-recognized certifications from all the major operating systems including Windows, Linux, and Solaris. A single driver strategy per OS allows storage administrators to easily deploy, configure, and manage HBAs in heterogeneous SAN configurations. Storage partner certifications, combined with agency and regulatory testing, ensures that all products meet world compliance hardware and software specifications. All HBAs are tested extensively with third-party hardware, along with multiple software applications, to ensure best-in-class SAN interoperability and compatibility. You can be confident purchasing QLogic HBAs to meet your storage networking needs.