LeCroy Corporation, a worldwide leader in serial data test solutions,
has expanded its presence in the storage system and SAN development
tools markets with the introduction of the SierraFC M8-4, a Fibre
Channel 8 Gb/s protocol analyzer. The SierraFC M8-4 is the latest
addition to LeCroy’s industry-leading Sierra family of powerful storage
protocol analyzer products. Highly portable as stand-alone test
systems, the flexible family of Sierra products can also be linked
together in cascade configurations to provide additional recording
channel capacity or to enable simultaneous capture of mixed protocol
streams. Operating at 1, 2, 4 and 8 Gb/s FC signaling rates, available
with 4 or 8 GB of recording memory, and either 2 or 4 recording
channels, SierraFC offers world-class protocol analysis capability at
price points that are within reach of every budget.
The SierraFC is a highly cost-effective test platform that is
easily integrated within a 19" rack, and small enough to easily carry to
the field or be deployed as a bench top instrument. SierraFC comes
standard with both USB and GbE interface ports for maximum flexibility
in connecting to the PC hosting the analysis software. The versatile GbE
port can be used for either local or remote network connectivity.
The SierraFC analyzer software features an intuitive GUI
(Graphical User Interface) combining easy setup with flexible data
analysis displays. Traditional column based views of the link layer show
handshaking of primitives as well as complete frame composition. The
application layer view logically assembles frames and ordered sets that
are part of a specific exchange. Users will be able to quickly view the
completion status of any exchange, which is especially useful in
addressing system-level test debug challenges. Statistical reports
provide event and error counters, as well as performance metrics, that
give users a snapshot into captured traces and rapid access to items of
interest.
The SierraFC’s advanced triggering features provide engineers
with the ability to capture precise traffic conditions such as timing
between events or changes in link state. Triggering capabilities include
a 24-level state sequencer, three independent timers, multiple
counters, the ability to pre-filter at each state, and the ability to
assign individual triggers to each port pair.
"With the introduction of the SierraFC M8-4 protocol analyzer,
LeCroy continues their long and successful track record in providing
flexible and cost effective protocol analysis equipment in support of
the testing required to verify standards compliance for state-of-the-art
FC products," stated Chris Lyon, Executive Director of the FCIA.
"LeCroy’s protocol solutions group brings over 15 years of
expertise in developing analysis tools for high speed serial storage
test and verification," said Kevin Kearney, LeCroy’s Product Line
Manager. "We designed the SierraFC to provide the best combination of
size, price, and ease of use that the developer market has been
clamoring for."
The SierraFC is available in 2 port and 4 port configurations
and will begin shipping this quarter. Pricing for the Sierra FC starts
at $21,950. Engineers and technicians who would like to know more can
contact LeCroy at 1-800-5LeCroy (1-800-553-2769).
