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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesOn July 22, 2009, IBM expanded its relationship with Brocade through an OEM arrangement that brought two IBM-branded Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) products into IBM’s networking portfolio: the IBM Converged Switch B32 and a 10Gb Converged Network Adapter (CNA) for IBM System x. Brocade manufactured the products; IBM sold them as part of a broader data-center networking strategy that also included expanded Cisco resale and Juniper OEM agreements.
What IBM’s expanded Brocade relationship added
The announcement moved IBM and Brocade’s cooperation beyond earlier Fibre Channel and Ethernet products into IBM-branded FCoE equipment. It was a product and sales arrangement, not an acquisition: Brocade made the products, and IBM branded and sold them through its networking portfolio.
The two named offerings served different parts of a converged network. The B32 was a switch; the 10Gb CNA was a server adapter for IBM System x. Together, they addressed the goal of carrying storage and ordinary network traffic through converged Ethernet infrastructure.
What FCoE was intended to do
FCoE carries Fibre Channel storage traffic over Ethernet. In a conventional server setup, Ethernet networking and Fibre Channel storage commonly use separate adapters and connections. A CNA can combine Ethernet NIC and Fibre Channel HBA functions, allowing fewer server adapters and cables in a converged environment.
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IBM described the CNA as doing the work of both an Ethernet Network Interface Card (NIC) and a Fibre Channel Host Bus Adapter (HBA), reducing the number of cables from each server. The rationale was infrastructure consolidation, not the disappearance of Fibre Channel: the B32 documentation lists support for both Fibre Channel and FCoE alongside Ethernet capabilities.
IBM Converged Switch B32 and 10Gb CNA compared
| Product | Role | Documented protocols and capabilities | Ports or platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| IBM Converged Switch B32 | Data-center switch | Fibre Channel over Ethernet, Fibre Channel, Converged Enhanced Ethernet (CEE), and traditional Ethernet | Documented configuration: eight 8Gbps Fibre Channel ports and 24 10GbE-capable CEE ports |
| 10Gb Converged Network Adapter for IBM System x | Server adapter combining network and storage connectivity functions | Enhanced Ethernet and FCoE | Dual-port 10Gb adapter for IBM System x |
The port configuration above is the configuration documented for the B32; it should not be read as a guarantee that every shipped configuration was identical. IBM documentation also lists a Brocade 2-port 10GbE CNA and a Brocade Converged 10GbE Switch Module for IBM BladeCenter, with product and replacement part numbers. Those listings are related IBM/Brocade products, but are not the two products named in the July 2009 announcement.
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How the products fit IBM’s wider networking strategy
IBM announced the Brocade expansion alongside changes involving Cisco and Juniper. IBM sellers and partners could resell Cisco Nexus 5000 switches, while a separate Juniper OEM agreement covered selected EX and MX switches and routers. The Brocade announcement specifically added IBM-branded FCoE products.
IBM presented the combined portfolio as giving customers more choice and connecting networking with IBM servers, storage, and management software. The arrangements had different forms—Brocade and Juniper OEM products versus Cisco resale—rather than representing one uniform partnership model.
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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →The Brocade move followed an earlier relationship expansion. Data Center Knowledge reported on April 28, 2009 that IBM would rebrand and sell Brocade IP switch products. That account situated the move amid changes in IBM’s relationship with Cisco and Brocade’s acquisition of Foundry Networks. The July announcement extended the IBM-Brocade product relationship into converged networking.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the announcement means for buyers now
The B32 and System x CNA are legacy enterprise products, not evidence of current IBM networking offerings. Historical documentation establishes their product roles and capabilities, but does not establish current inventory, prices, seller quality, warranty coverage, or support status. Anyone considering used or refurbished units should verify exact part numbers, compatibility with the intended server and fabric, and available support directly with the seller or service provider before purchasing.
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In short, IBM’s 2009 expansion brought Brocade-manufactured FCoE hardware under IBM branding and sales, while fitting that addition into a broader multi-vendor networking portfolio.
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