Brocade® (Nasdaq:BRCD) today announced that its Brocade DCX-4S Backbone was named as a winner in the Best of Tech·Ed 2010 Awards in the Hardware and Storage category by Penton Media's Windows IT Pro® and SQL Server Magazine®.

Supporting Windows and all major server/storage operating environments, the Brocade DCX-4S Backbone is a robust storage network switching platform designed for evolving enterprise data centers that require breakthrough performance, scalability and energy efficiency along with long-term investment protection. The Brocade DCX-4S Backbone provides secure, reliable delivery of mission-critical data for enterprise deployment of Microsoft Exchange, SQL Server, SharePoint and other Microsoft applications. Serving as a powerful networking platform to help customers fully realize the benefits of running highly virtualized environments, the Brocade DCX-4S Backbone is designed to address data growth and server virtualization challenges; enable server, SAN and data center consolidation; and reduce infrastructure and administrative costs?resulting in greatly reduced network complexity and simplified management.

The Best of Tech·Ed 2010 Awards recognize companies that offer unique and innovative products to the industry. Of the 298 products and services submitted for consideration, 46 finalists were chosen to be interviewed by the judges at the Microsoft Tech·Ed North America 2010 conference in New Orleans, Louisiana on June 9, 2010. The winners were announced at an evening reception at the Hard Rock Cafe.

?Choosing the best product in each of 16 categories?from our list of 46 products?was both daunting and exhilarating for our judging panel,? said Jason Bovberg, senior editor of Windows IT Pro. ?All 46 finalists represent highly distinguished products and services in their categories. Through our exhaustive interview process, it was clear that some of our winners stood a step above the pack, whereas other picks were more difficult to determine. The winners in those categories typically offered an edge in product functionality, boasted enhanced feature sets in new versions or introduced innovative technology?giving them a slight advantage over the competition,? remarked Bovberg.

?We're pleased that the Brocade DCX-4S has been recognized for its ability to deliver non-stop networking capabilities that optimize the performance and provide unified management of a wide range of Microsoft applications,? said Doug Ingraham, vice president of Data Center Networking at Brocade. ?Being honored as a Best of Tech-Ed Award winner?an award that is largely based on the principles of technology innovation and strategic importance to the market?serves as further reinforcement that Brocade solutions are providing customers with a competitive advantage and enabling them to maximize their IT investments.?

About Brocade

Brocade® (Nasdaq: BRCD) develops extraordinary networking solutions that enable today's complex, data-intensive businesses to optimize information connectivity and maximize the business value of their data. For more information, visit www.brocade.com.

Brocade, the B-wing symbol, BigIron, DCX, Fabric OS, FastIron, IronView, NetIron, SAN Health, ServerIron, and TurboIron are registered trademarks, and Brocade Assurance, DCFM, Extraordinary Networks, and Brocade NET Health are trademarks of Brocade Communications Systems, Inc., in the United States and/or in other countries. Other brands, products, or service names mentioned are or may be trademarks or service marks of their respective owners.

© 2010 Brocade Communications Systems, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Brocade Communications Systems, Inc.
Jennifer Miu, 408-333-7309 (Media Relations)
jmiu@brocade.com
Robert Eggers, 408-333-8797 (Investor Relations)
reggers@brocade.com