Engenio Information Technologies, Inc., a global provider of innovative and highly scalable modular storage systems for the open enterprise, today announced the release of its 6998 Fibre Channel controller based on the company's sixth generation architecture. This latest controller based on Engenio's new XBB architecture provides 4 Gb/s (gigabit per second) Fibre Channel connectivity -- double the performance of its predecessor -- and follows in the footsteps of the industry's first Fibre Channel controller introduced by Engenio in 1995. As the first product coming from the XBB architecture, the 6998 controller is targeted at data-intensive environments such as High Performance Computing (HPC) markets that store and utilize vast amounts of data for high-bandwidth programs and complex application processing such as sophisticated research, visualization, seismic processing and large-scale simulation. "In many HPC markets it is essential that users are able to quickly access huge data files," said Earl Joseph, IDC Research Vice President, High-Performance Systems. "HPC users have the most demanding problems that require more capabilities than available at any point in time. I/O and storage systems have become the bottleneck for many users causing processors to stall while waiting for data. Engenio addresses these bottlenecks with its 6998 controller." The 6998 controller, combines faster processors, busses, and memory to deliver the highest levels of performance. Its innovative, flexible host interface module technology reduces time to market -- enabling quicker adaptation to new technologies. The 6998-based systems include eight 4 Gb/s host-side and eight 4 Gb/s drive-side ports, doubling the connectivity of its predecessor and providing more interfaces into a SAN and to the drives. The 6998 4 Gb/s technology also provides backward compatibility to existing 2 Gb/s and 1 Gb/s Fibre Channel infrastructures, protecting existing investments. "As an industry leader, Engenio is responding to the market needs many High Performance Computing users have indicated they need in the way of performance. Our XBB architecture and 6998 controller are being announced as we enter our third decade as a leader in storage innovation," said Steve Gardner, Engenio Director of Product Marketing.