QLogic
QLogic was an American networking semiconductor and connectivity company specializing in storage-area-network, Fibre Channel, Ethernet, iSCSI, and related infrastructure products.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
QLogic Corporation was an American supplier of semiconductor, adapter, switching, and connectivity technologies for enterprise servers, storage systems, and data-center networks. The company was created in 1992 through a spin-off from Emulex, initially operating in the disk-controller market before competing directly with its former parent in Fibre Channel controller and storage-area-network technologies. Its early development reflected the growing importance of dedicated networking hardware in enterprise computing, where servers and storage arrays increasingly required high-speed, reliable interconnection rather than conventional disk interfaces alone. QLogic became a public company through an initial public offering in 1994 and traded on the NASDAQ under the symbol QLGC. Its product portfolio expanded from controllers into Fibre Channel host bus adapters, Fibre Channel switches, iSCSI adapters, converged network adapters supporting Fibre Channel over Ethernet, Intelligent Ethernet adapters, application-specific integrated circuits, and other components used in storage and converged networking environments. These products were aimed primarily at enterprise infrastructure manufacturers, data-center operators, and technology partners rather than consumer electronics users. Expansion was pursued through both internal development and acquisitions. QLogic bought Silicon Design Resources in 1998 to strengthen its integrated-circuit design capabilities, acquired Fibre Channel switch maker Ancor Communications in 2000, and purchased Little Mountain Group in 2001 to obtain iSCSI technology. During the middle of the 2000s, it broadened its reach into high-performance computing and advanced networking through the acquisitions of PathScale and Silverstorm Technologies. PathScale brought compiler and cluster-computing capabilities, while Silverstorm contributed InfiniBand products. QLogic later sold the PathScale compiler business to SiCortex and divested its InfiniBand products to Intel in 2012. The company experienced leadership changes during a period of revenue pressure. H.K. Desai served as chairman beginning in 1996 and became executive chairman in 2010, remaining in that role until his death in 2014. Simon Biddiscombe became chief executive in November 2010 and resigned in May 2013 after a period characterized in the reference material by declining revenue. Prasad Rampalli subsequently became chief executive, while Jean Hu later served as acting chief executive after Rampalli's departure in August 2015. QLogic continued to concentrate on storage and converged networking. In 2005 it acquired Troika Networks and its storage-virtualization products, acquired NetXen in 2009 for Intelligent Ethernet technology, and in 2014 entered a broad technology alliance with Brocade Communications Systems while acquiring Brocade's Fibre Channel and converged-network adapter business. These moves reinforced QLogic's position in data-center connectivity even as the market evolved toward higher integration and software-defined infrastructure. In June 2016, QLogic announced an agreement to be acquired by Cavium for approximately $1 billion, structured around QLogic's cash balance. The transaction closed in August 2016, ending QLogic's independent existence as a public company. Job reductions were announced after completion, and a move to Irvine was announced for 2017. Cavium itself was acquired by Marvell Technology Group in 2018. As a result, QLogic is best understood as a former independent enterprise-networking brand and technology business whose products and intellectual property became part of the Cavium and subsequently Marvell corporate lineage.
History
QLogic originated in 1992 when it was spun off from Emulex. Its initial business focused on disk controllers, but the company soon developed a competitive position in Fibre Channel controllers and storage-area-network connectivity. This placed it in direct competition with Emulex, its former parent, in a market shaped by the growing adoption of networked enterprise storage. The company completed an initial public offering in 1994 and traded on NASDAQ under the ticker QLGC. From its early base near Emulex in Costa Mesa, California, QLogic broadened its technology base through acquisitions. Silicon Design Resources, an Austin-based integrated-circuit design company, was acquired in 1998. In 2000, QLogic acquired Ancor Communications, a Fibre Channel switch manufacturer, in a stock transaction reported at approximately $1.7 billion. Little Mountain Group, founded in 1999 and associated with iSCSI technology, was acquired in January 2001 for approximately $30 million. QLogic continued diversifying in the mid-2000s. It acquired Troika Networks in 2005 and obtained storage-virtualization products. PathScale, a compiler company, was acquired in February 2006 for approximately $109 million, while Silverstorm Technologies, an InfiniBand developer, was acquired later that year for approximately $60 million. QLogic attempted to use PathScale technology in cluster computing over InfiniBand, but sold the compiler business to SiCortex in August 2006. The company later sold its InfiniBand products to Intel in 2012 for approximately $125 million. Leadership changed during a challenging period. H.K. Desai had been chairman since 1996 and became executive chairman in 2010. Simon Biddiscombe became chief executive in November 2010 but resigned in May 2013 after two years of falling revenue. Prasad Rampalli became chief executive several months later and left the role in August 2015, after which Jean Hu served as acting chief executive. Desai died in June 2014. QLogic's principal business remained enterprise connectivity. Its portfolio included Fibre Channel adapters and switches, iSCSI adapters, converged network adapters for Fibre Channel over Ethernet, Ethernet network interface controllers, Intelligent Ethernet adapters, and application-specific integrated circuits. In 2009, the acquisition of NetXen added Intelligent Ethernet adapter products. In 2014, QLogic entered a broad technology alliance with Brocade Communications Systems and acquired Brocade's Fibre Channel and converged-network adapter business. In June 2016, QLogic announced that it would be acquired by Cavium for approximately $1 billion over QLogic's balance-sheet cash. The transaction closed in August 2016, ending QLogic's independent public-company era. Job reductions followed, and the company announced a planned move to Irvine, California, in 2017. Cavium was subsequently acquired by Marvell Technology Group in 2018. QLogic therefore survives primarily as a historical enterprise-networking brand and as technology incorporated into successor corporate operations rather than as an independent company.
- 2018
Cavium joins Marvell
[1]Cavium was acquired by Marvell Technology Group, carrying the former QLogic business into Marvell's corporate structure.
- 2016
Acquisition by Cavium
[1]Cavium completed its acquisition of QLogic in August, ending QLogic's independent public-company status.
- 2014
Brocade alliance and adapter-business acquisition
[1]QLogic formed a broad technology alliance with Brocade Communications Systems and acquired Brocade's Fibre Channel and converged-network adapter business.
- 2012
InfiniBand products sold to Intel
[1]QLogic sold its InfiniBand products to Intel for approximately $125 million.
- 2006
PathScale and Silverstorm acquisitions
[1]QLogic expanded into compiler, cluster-computing, and InfiniBand technologies through the acquisitions of PathScale and Silverstorm Technologies.
- 2005
Troika Networks acquisition
[1]The company acquired Troika Networks and added storage-virtualization products to its portfolio.
- 2001
Little Mountain Group acquisition
[1]QLogic acquired Little Mountain Group and its iSCSI-related technology for approximately $30 million.
- 2000
Ancor Communications acquisition
[1]QLogic acquired Fibre Channel switch maker Ancor Communications in a stock transaction reported at approximately $1.7 billion.
- 1998
Silicon Design Resources acquisition
[1]QLogic acquired the Austin-based integrated-circuit designer Silicon Design Resources for approximately $2 million.
- 1994
Initial public offering
[1]QLogic became publicly traded and was listed on NASDAQ under the symbol QLGC.
Products and positioning
Enterprise infrastructure connectivity and semiconductor technology for storage-area networks, converged data-center networks, and high-performance computing environments.
Storage networking
Fibre Channel adapters
QLogic's Fibre Channel adapters connected servers to storage-area networks and were among its central enterprise products. The portfolio included adapter and caching-adapter technologies designed for high-speed storage connectivity in data-center environments.
Storage networking
Fibre Channel switches
Fibre Channel switches formed another part of QLogic's storage-networking portfolio, strengthened by the 2000 acquisition of Ancor Communications. They were intended to interconnect storage devices and servers within enterprise storage-area networks.
Converged networking
Converged Network Adapters
QLogic's Converged Network Adapters supported Fibre Channel over Ethernet, combining storage and data-network connectivity over Ethernet infrastructure. The products addressed data centers seeking to consolidate separate networking fabrics.
Storage networking
iSCSI adapters
The iSCSI adapter line provided connectivity for storage traffic transported over Internet Protocol networks. QLogic expanded this capability through its acquisition of Little Mountain Group in 2001.
Ethernet networking · 2009
Intelligent Ethernet adapters
Intelligent Ethernet adapters were associated with QLogic's effort to provide more capable server-network interfaces. The company acquired NetXen in 2009 to obtain Intelligent Ethernet adapter technology.
Semiconductors
Application-specific integrated circuits
QLogic designed application-specific integrated circuits supporting its networking and storage-connectivity products. The acquisition of Silicon Design Resources in 1998 contributed to the company's integrated-circuit design capabilities.
High-performance networking · 2006
InfiniBand products
QLogic developed and marketed InfiniBand products after acquiring Silverstorm Technologies in 2006. These products were used in high-performance and cluster-computing contexts before QLogic sold the business to Intel in 2012.
Brand decisions
2016
Accept acquisition by CaviumM&ABackground
QLogic entered a transaction after a period that included leadership turnover and declining revenue.
Action taken
QLogic agreed to be acquired by Cavium in a transaction valued at approximately $1 billion over QLogic's balance-sheet cash. The transaction closed in August 2016.
Aftermath
QLogic ceased to operate as an independent public company, and job cuts were announced after the deal closed.
Approximate acquisition value over balance-sheet cash. Approximately $1 billion (Announced June 2016; completed August 2016)
2014
Expand the Brocade relationshipStrategyBackground
QLogic aimed to strengthen its position in Fibre Channel and converged data-center networking.
Action taken
It signed a broad technology alliance with Brocade Communications Systems and acquired Brocade's Fibre Channel and converged-network adapter business.
Aftermath
The transaction expanded QLogic's adapter portfolio and reinforced its focus on enterprise storage connectivity.
2012
Sell InfiniBand products to IntelStrategyBackground
After expanding into high-performance networking through Silverstorm, QLogic reassessed the role of InfiniBand in its portfolio.
Action taken
QLogic sold its InfiniBand products to Intel for approximately $125 million.
Aftermath
The divestiture reduced QLogic's exposure to InfiniBand and left storage and converged networking as more central areas of focus.
Transaction value. $125 million (2012)
2006
Acquire PathScale and Silverstorm TechnologiesM&ABackground
QLogic sought to broaden its enterprise-connectivity business into cluster computing, compiler technology, and high-performance InfiniBand networking.
Action taken
It acquired PathScale in February 2006 and Silverstorm Technologies in October 2006.
Aftermath
QLogic later sold the PathScale compiler business to SiCortex and eventually divested its InfiniBand products to Intel.
Recent events
- 2018
Cavium is acquired by Marvell Technology Group[1]
M&A
QLogic's corporate successor, Cavium, was acquired by Marvell Technology Group, placing the former QLogic business within Marvell's broader semiconductor portfolio.
- 2016
QLogic agrees to acquisition by Cavium[1]
M&A
QLogic announced that Cavium would acquire the company in a transaction valued at approximately $1 billion over QLogic's balance-sheet cash.
- 2016
Cavium completes QLogic acquisition[1]
M&A · Leadership change
The acquisition closed in August 2016, ending QLogic's status as an independent public company; job cuts were announced after closing.
- 2014
QLogic announces Brocade technology alliance and business acquisition[1]
M&A
QLogic announced a broad technology alliance with Brocade Communications Systems and acquired Brocade's Fibre Channel and converged-network adapter business.
- 2013
Simon Biddiscombe resigns as chief executive[1]
Leadership change
Simon Biddiscombe stepped down after roughly two years as chief executive amid a period of falling revenue.
- 2012
QLogic sells InfiniBand business to Intel[1]
M&A
QLogic sold its InfiniBand products to Intel for approximately $125 million as it refocused its portfolio.
- 2006
QLogic expands through PathScale and Silverstorm acquisitions[1]
M&A
QLogic acquired PathScale and Silverstorm Technologies, extending its interests into cluster computing, compiler technology, and InfiniBand networking.
- 2001
QLogic acquires Little Mountain Group[1]
M&A
The company acquired Little Mountain Group, a developer associated with iSCSI technology, to expand its storage-networking capabilities.
- 2000
QLogic acquires Ancor Communications[1]
M&A
QLogic acquired Fibre Channel switch maker Ancor Communications in a stock transaction reported at approximately $1.7 billion.
- 1994
QLogic completes initial public offering[1]
Other
QLogic became a publicly traded company after its initial public offering and traded on NASDAQ under the symbol QLGC.
Sources1 sources
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