Broadcom has made a bold move in the enterprise storage networking market. The company announced the launch of the new Brocade X8 switches and the 56-port Brocade G820 switch, the first Gen 8 Fibre Channel platforms capable of operating at 128G and specifically designed to support critical workloads and artificial intelligence applications in business.
The new family is presented as the foundation for a faster, more secure, and more autonomous storage network, combining three pillars: extreme performance, “quantum-safe” security, and automation through integrated artificial intelligence within the SAN itself.
Ready for the quantum era
The announcement comes at a time when many organizations are beginning to worry about the future impact of quantum computing on data security. The new Brocade Gen 8 switches feature 256-bit encryption resistant to quantum attacks and support for post-quantum cryptography algorithms, aiming to protect sensitive information and critical infrastructure against the quantum computers expected in the coming years.
Beyond encryption, Broadcom has hardened the SAN attack surface by implementing strong access controls and a design based on the principle of least privilege. The idea is to ensure each component and user has only the permissions strictly necessary, reducing the risk of lateral movement in case of compromise.
Self-aware SAN with intelligence
Another key differentiator of the new generation is its focus on AI-based automation. Broadcom integrates into these systems what it calls SAN AI and SAN Fabric Intelligence: capabilities that monitor the storage network fabric end-to-end, learn from application behavior, and help detect and resolve issues without constant manual intervention.
This fabric intelligence provides full visibility of all connected devices, including virtual machines, and enables identification of bottlenecks or issues affecting performance. From a unified view, users can highlight points of interest, delve into them, and accelerate troubleshooting in complex environments.
Additional features include Adaptive Traffic Optimizer, a system that analyzes application demands in real-time and dynamically redistributes traffic among performance groups and virtual channels. This preserves the quality of service for critical workloads and isolates flows that might degrade overall performance, preventing activity spikes in one application from impacting the entire environment.
Brocade X8: the core switch for large SAN fabrics
At the high end of the spectrum, the new Brocade X8 positions itself as the centerpiece of large storage networks. It’s a modular Gen 8 chassis capable of supporting up to 384 ports at 128G, providing the bandwidth and low latency required to consolidate more devices and applications without sacrificing performance.
The manufacturer emphasizes that this extra capacity allows companies to concentrate workloads on fewer physical systems, simplifying infrastructure and reducing operational costs. To scale further, the X8 supports up to 128 UltraScale ICL links between directors, facilitating fabric expansion while preserving device ports for storage arrays and servers.
The multi-protocol design and flexible deployment options enable adapting the director for various scenarios, from large enterprise data centers to hybrid infrastructures that combine traditional storage with AI-ready platforms.
Brocade G820: 128G in a 1U form factor
For environments demanding high port density in limited space, Broadcom introduces the Brocade G820. This 1U switch features 56 ports of 128G SFP+ with very low latency, designed to function as a border or top-of-rack switch in server racks and next-generation storage arrays.
Its compact size facilitates deployment in existing cabinets while offering room for future expansion, whether for consolidation projects, all-flash array deployment, or infrastructure setups for AI and intensive analytics.
Ecosystem of partners: Dell, HPE, IBM, Lenovo, and more
Broadcom’s announcement is supported by a broad ecosystem of storage and server manufacturers, who see the new Fibre Channel generation as an ally for their own AI infrastructure and critical workload strategies.
Manufacturers like Dell Technologies, HPE, IBM, Hitachi Vantara, Lenovo, NetApp, and H3C highlight that combining their high-performance arrays with the new Gen 8 switches allows them to offer integrated solutions with increased bandwidth, lower latency, and enhanced security against current and future threats.
For example, NetApp underscores the alignment between its focus on post-quantum cryptography in its storage systems and the quantum-safe capabilities of the new Brocade switches. IBM emphasizes the ability to establish encrypted links up to 128G over long distances to ensure data availability even in contingency scenarios.
Availability and future-oriented focus
Both the Brocade X8 and G820 are now available through Broadcom and its OEM partner network, which will incorporate these devices into their catalogs over the coming quarters.
This new family strengthens Broadcom’s position in the Fibre Channel SAN market—critical for organizations requiring maximum performance and minimal latency for data access: from transactional databases to generative AI platforms and model training.
The company’s bold vision is clear: to deliver a storage network prepared for the next decade, where the convergence of artificial intelligence and quantum computing will force a reevaluation of both performance and security of the underlying infrastructure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that Brocade Gen 8 switches are “quantum-safe”?
It means they incorporate 256-bit encryption and support for post-quantum cryptography algorithms designed to withstand attacks from future quantum computers. This aims to protect long-term storage data and communications from threats that have yet to emerge but could break traditional cryptographic schemes.
How does the Brocade X8 differ from the Brocade G820?
The Brocade X8 is a modular core director designed for large SAN fabrics, supporting up to 384 ports at 128G and scalability via ICL links between chassis. The G820 is a 1U switch with 56 ports at 128G, more suited for edge, top-of-rack deployments, or environments requiring high density in a small footprint. Both share the same Gen 8 foundation, with “quantum-safe” security and fabric intelligence features.
What are the benefits of integrated AI in the SAN?
Features like SAN Fabric Intelligence and Adaptive Traffic Optimizer enable learning from application behavior, automating management tasks, detecting anomalies, and dynamically redistributing traffic. This results in less troubleshooting time, reduced human error, and improved quality of service for critical workloads and AI projects.
Why does Fibre Channel remain relevant in the era of cloud and AI?
Despite the rise of Ethernet and NVMe-over-TCP, many organizations continue to rely on Fibre Channel for mission-critical workloads due to its low latency, reliability, and physical separation from other networks. With Gen 8 at 128G and quantum-safe features, Broadcom aims to position Fibre Channel as the preferred storage network for high-performance, secure infrastructures supporting next-generation applications and AI.
via: Broadcom