News release

HP Announces Virtual Disk Array and Software to Increase Storage Efficiency

PALO ALTO, Calif., June 4, 2001

Hewlett-Packard Company (NYSE:HWP) today announced storage solutions and software to help customers build highly scalable and manageable storage infrastructures and optimize the use of their storage resources.

Included in today's announcement are the industry's first 2.0 GB fibre channel virtual disk array, network attached storage (NAS) solutions, and software for the company's XP disk array family. The storage solutions are based on HP's Federated Storage Area Management (FSAM) strategy, which, when fully implemented, is intended to enable organizations to use all of the storage resources in a given domain to manage the unpredictability of capacity demand, staffing availability and business continuance.

"HP's 2.0 GB fibre channel disk array and software allow users to easily and cost-effectively manage data by scaling their storage environments up and out -- a key element of FSAM," said Nora Denzel, vice president and general manager, HP Networked Storage Solutions Organization.

HP Surestore Virtual Array 7400

The HP Surestore Virtual Array 7400 is the highest capacity mid-range array from HP, with up to 7.7 terabytes of storage space. Storage can be scaled up to 105 fibre channel disks with the HP DS 2400 disk expansion system and scaled out by connecting the high-performance array to a storage area network (SAN). The small size of the high-density system helps maximize customer space resources for lower overhead costs.

The HP Surestore Virtual Array 7400 was designed for mid-range and high-end online transaction processing, high-end data warehousing and decision support systems, system consolidation, data analysis and simulation. The disk array supports solutions in shared multi-operating environments and the following software:

• HP Command View SDM -- which simplifies local and remote management of the arrays and integrates into HP OpenView storage area management applications, and
• HP Surestore Business Copy for Virtual Arrays -- which enables customers to make near instantaneous business copies and perform online restores without interrupting work flow.

HP Surestore NAS XP and HP Surestore NAS VA

The HP Surestore NAS XP and HP Surestore NAS VA are cost-effective solutions for file serving across multiple operating systems. The solutions increase information technology productivity by improving the efficiency of network and application servers through the NAS. The solutions are pre-configured and rack-mounted for minimal set-up time.

HP XP Disk Array Software

Several software-based programs are now available for the high-end HP XP disk array family:

• HP Instant Capacity on Demand (iCOD) manages storage growth and protects storage investments by having inactive extra capacity pre-installed on the HP XP data system. The extra capacity can be quickly activated to cover unexpected growth and requires no initial investment.
• HP Continuous Access over Fibre Channel software provides high bandwidth connectivity, resulting in fewer remote links and lower costs. This optional functionality maximizes the use of array resources and simplifies management through high-performance remote mirroring.
• Linux users benefit from consolidated solutions for the HP XP disk array line. SAN infrastructure support, integration into management tools, heterogeneous server/storage consolidation, consulting and support help meet requirements for an always-on e-business. Linux applications can be deployed on existing storage and SANs using existing management processes and staff resources.

Availability

The HP Surestore Virtual Array 7400 is expected to be available July 1.

About HP Hewlett-Packard Company -- a leading global provider of computing and imaging solutions and services -- is focused on making technology and its benefits accessible to individuals and businesses through simple appliances, useful e-services and solutions for an Internet infrastructure that's always on.

HP had total revenue from continuing operations of $48.8 billion in its 2000 fiscal year. Information about HP and its products can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.hp.com.

This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions include the possibility that the market for the sale of certain products and services may not develop as expected; that development of these products and services may not proceed as planned; and other risks that are described from time to time in HP's Securities and Exchange Commission reports, including but not limited to the annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended Oct. 31, 2000, and subsequently filed reports. If any of these risks or uncertainties materializes or any of these assumptions proves incorrect, HP's results could differ materially from HP's expectations in these statements. HP does not intend to update these forward-looking statements.