A SAN is a high-speed, high-bandwidth storage network that logically connects storage to servers. SAN topologies (switched fabric or arbitrated loops) extend the concepts offered by traditional server/storage connections and deliver more flexibility, availability, integrated management and performance. SANs are the first IT solutions to offer the assurance that all systems can access any information in the enterprise at any time. The HP StorageWorks FC1243 4Gb PCI-X 2.0 Dual Channel Host Bus Adapter (HBA) is a Fiber Channel adapter that is certified by HP to work effortlessly and seamlessly in HP environments, allowing customers to upgrade their SAN to the faster 4Gb standard with confidence and ease. It provides one of the building blocks to a faster, newer SAN infrastructure, minimizing downtime for the SAN and SAN components. The 4Gb PCI-X 2.0 HBA can be easily integrated into existing SAN environments with one single point of accountability. With its ability to auto-negotiate the operating environment, anyone can purchase this new HBA and have it quickly integrated into an existing SAN. It can work automatically in 2Gb or 1Gb environments, where other SAN components have not been upgraded to 4Gb. With 4Gb switches and arrays now available, HBA is the first or next step in moving to a faster 4Gb infrastructure.