This IDC study provides the shipment records of FC (Fibre Channel) switch, a main component of SAN (storage area network), between 2001 and 2003 as well as market forecast up to 2008. The shipment records are analyzed in terms of unit shipments, port shipment, and factory revenue while the forecast analysis is based on port shipment and factory revenue. FC switch refers to "fabric switches" and "chassis switches." Shipment records and forecast of FC hubs are not included. Data on ESCON (Enterprise System Connection) or FICON (Fibre Connection) products are not included in this study.

"Although FC switch is one of the highly promising segments in the Japanese storage systems market, the speed of decrease in port price will increase in the mid-term prospect due to the intensifying vendor competition and competition with other technologies," observes Masaaki Moriyama, research manager, Japan Storage Systems, IDC Japan.