Groundbreaking Technology Expands Connectivity by bringing High Speed Thunderbolt Technology to Enterprise Connectivity

PROMISE Technology, a leader in providing high-performance storage solutions to the rich media market and leader in designing cutting-edge Thunderbolt devices, now brings unrivaled connectivity options to the growing number of systems with Thunderbolt technology. PROMISE SANLink,is the first Fibre Channel to Thunderbolt adapter and provides media professionals with native high-speed access to their shared Fibre Channel SAN digital assets. This revolutionary connectivity is creating a sea change for media and entertainment professionals and the rich media industry.
SANLink provides a dual 4Gbps Fibre Channel link that can be used to connect to external Fibre Channel storage or to an Xsan or StorNext network using a high-speed Thunderbolt port. Each adapter features full-duplex capable FC ports, that automatically detect connection speed and can each independently operate at 1, 2 or 4Gbps. Two Thunderbolts ports are provided with SANLink that enable daisy-chaining to other Thunderbolt peripherals, such as monitors, to be connected through SANLink up to 6 total devices.

“We believe that SANLink is going to revolutionize how users connect to a high-speed Fibre Channel SAN, empowering post-production facilities and creative professionals with greater flexibility removing any previous limitations on what type of systems can be connected to the SAN”, said Alice Chang, CMO, PROMISE Technology. “Now portables and desktops with Thunderbolt Technology will be able to connect to the SAN at native Fibre Chanel speeds simplifying creative professionals’ workflows.”

“Thunderbolt technology is bringing a whole new level of performance and versatility to PCs,” said Jason Ziller, director, Thunderbolt Marketing and Planning, Intel Corporation. “PROMISE’s newest products make great use of Thunderbolt technology, and open up more high-speed connections to more devices.”

Thunderbolt enabled System on a Fibre Channel SAN

PROMISE SANLink is fully compatible with Thunderbolt technology that ships on the new MacBook Pro, Mac mini, iMac and MacBook Air. SANLink requires zero software install and simply works out-of-the-box with full hot-plug capability. No longer are Mac notebooks and desktops locked out of the SAN and limited to having to use a system with a PCIe slot for a Fibre Channel HBA card.

SANLink and Xsan

With Lion shipping with Xsan, SANLink is the perfect companion for those users wanting an Xsan infrastructure. Combined with the new Thunderbolt enabled Mac mini, SANLink simplifies and greatly reduces the cost of deploying Xsan.

SANLink and VTrak storage subsystems

SANLink is the perfect companion for any Fibre Channel SAN Infrastructure. The dual ports offers performance to edit high definition uncompressed video supporting multiple simultaneous uncompressed HD streams. Sporting rock solid compatibility with PROMISE VTrak RAID subsystems, SANLink works with both VTrak x10 and x30 series storage subsystems providing a powerful connectivity solution. Like VTrak storage subsystems, SANLink is fully qualified for Mac OS X, Xsan and Final Cut Pro solutions providing creative professionals opportunity to access, edit and manage their media files like never before.

Pricing and Availability

SANLink is generally available from the Apple website and Apple Authorized Resellers. SANLink is available for $799.

For more information: www.promise.com.