LeCroy ships SierraFC M8-4 protocol analyzer

SANTA CLARA, USA: LeCroy Corp., a leader in serial data test solutions, is announcing the shipment of its new SierraFC M8-4, a Fibre Channel, 8 Gb/s protocol analysis platform.

The SierraFC M8-4 enables the development of storage systems and storage area networks based on 8G Fibre Channel technology by providing in-depth analysis capabilities. Developers can quickly find a variety of performance bottlenecks and protocol violations, using the powerful tools available with the SierraFC M8-4.

"The SierraFC M8-4 is a compelling new product that will broadly appeal to developers of advanced storage system and storage networking products," stated Joe Mendolia, Vice President of Marketing for LeCroy Protocol Solutions Group. "We are confident that this product will enable Fibre Channel developers to meet their tight schedules and achieve their market requirements."

Prior to the final production release of the SierraFC M8-4, LeCroy conducted an extensive product beta test program with customers who were engaged in complex 8G Fibre Channel development projects. The SierraFC M8-4 was very well received by these groups and based on customer feedback; the product was further optimized for use in storage networking environments. Customers will find the unit ready to use in their test applications.

Greg Berbaum, Lead Fibre Channel Test Engineer with Emulex, said: "The SierraFC M8-4 has lots of nice features. I really like the variety of window display options and the Advanced Triggering methodology is a great productivity enhancement for debugging complex protocol issues. Those are two very large advantages for the SierraFC M8-4."

SierraFC M8-4 analyzer software features an intuitive GUI (Graphical User Interface) combining easy setup and operation with flexible data analysis displays. The familiar chronological Spreadsheet View shows handshaking of primitives as well as complete frame composition.

LeCroy's signature Packet View allows users to easily track Fibre Channel exchanges from end-to-end in an intuitive logical display. SierraFC M8-4 has three additional main data display modes including, Frame Inspector, Text View, and Statistical Report, providing flexible and powerful alternatives for efficient analysis of Fibre Channel protocol environments.

The SierraFC M8-4 operates at 2, 4 and 8 Gb/s Fibre Channel signaling rates. It is available with 4 or 8 GB of recording memory, and either 2 or 4 recording channels.

It features the capability of cascading up to 8 protocol analyzers and a 24 state trigger sequencer, making the SierraFC M8-4 the most powerful analyzer available for any Fibre Channel application. The SierraFC M8-4 offers world-class protocol analysis capability at price points that are within reach of every budget.