Networked storage firm Brocade has unveiled its Access Gateway for HP BladeSystem offerings, which enables interoperability between Brocade blade San switches and products from other San switch manufacturers.

The Brocade Access Gateway is based on N_Port ID Virtualisation technology, which has been standardised by the industry's T11 Technical Committee as a method to virtualise multiple San devices for greater interoperability and scalability.

Tom Buiocchi, vice president of worldwide marketing at Brocade, explained that the firm is committed to working with HP to help further drive the integration of blade servers into the data centre.

Mark Potter, vice president of HP's BladeSystem Division, added: "With the availability of the Access Gateway feature for the Brocade 4Gb San switches for HP BladeSystem products, HP can offer customers simpler and more interoperable San connectivity."

Brocade Access Gateway for HP BladeSystem c-Class and p-Class allows organisations to connect HP ProLiant and Integrity blade servers to any vendors' San fabric that supports N_Port ID Virtualisation.

The new capability also delivers increased scalability and management of enterprise Sans.