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New HP Networking Architecture Provides for Secure, Mobile, Multi-Service Enterprise Networks
Software and Hardware Upgrades for 5300xl and 4100gl Switches Extend More Control to Network Edge
PALO ALTO, Calif., Feb. 10, 2003 - ProCurve Networking by HP today introduced free software upgrades for the ProCurve Networking by HP Switch 5300xl and Switch 4100gl series; providing new functionality in support of its recently announced Adaptive EDGE Architecture. The upgrades provide customers increased security at the network edge and improved bandwidth control and investment protection by expanding the security features of existing Ethernet switches at no additional cost.
The ProCurve Networking by HP Adaptive EDGE Architecture recognizes that intelligence must reside at the network edge where users connect in order to manage the security, mobility and quality-of-service characteristics necessary for today's and tomorrow's new networking applications.
The upgrades deliver new features to affordably provide intelligence and control to the edge of the network, thus enabling enterprise networks to more easily adapt to the unique needs of each user. By placing additional intelligence in edge devices and empowering them to better manage traffic flow, the switch upgrades help to affordably minimize network traffic and management complexity while providing a secure foundation for future applications.
ProCurve Networking by HP also introduced two high-performance networking modules for the switches to expand network connectivity. The new hardware modules provide 100FX network connectivity, allowing increased flexibility of network design, and are ideal for environments that require long-distance fiber connectivity.
"When looking to replace our ATM network, there were several factors to consider, but two of the most important were price and expandability," said Craig Kuzmeskus, network administrator, Frontier Regional School, South Deerfield, Mass. "We needed a product that would grow with us. And, of course, any future expansion had to be cost-effective and flexible. With HP's 5300xl series, we found exactly what we needed."
Access Control and Business Continuity
The software upgrade to the ProCurve Networking by HP Switch 5300xl series provides support for access control lists (ACLs), which allow precise access control between different virtual local area networks (VLANs) via layer 3 and layer 4 filtering. ACLs allow organizations to create separate and secure, private and public domains within the same infrastructure.
This ensures control at the edge, while offering the ability to control bandwidth usage to authorized traffic between VLANs. The upgrade also supports HP ProCurve's XRRP router redundancy protocol, enabling automatic switch backup to ensure business continuity.
Additional security features offered through the ProCurve Networking by HP 5300xl series upgrade include secure shell (SSHv2) for encrypted PC to switch communication and secure sockets layer (SSL) capability for encrypted switch configuration via Web communication. With the upgrades, the 5300xl series also now supports industry-standard SNMPv3 protocols.
Static Route Security
The software upgrade to the HP ProCurve Switch 4100gl series improves existing security functionality by enabling static routes. Using this functionality, 4100gl series customers can easily offload traffic from the distribution switch by establishing specific communications routes across secure VLANs.
"Security continues to be of the utmost importance to network managers," said John McHugh, vice president and general manager, ProCurve Networking by HP Business. "As security requirements continue to evolve, our customers know that their investment in HP technology will hold its value. The ProCurve Networking by HP intelligent EDGE product line, including the 5300xl switch series, provides the ongoing growth, support and flexibility that companies require to develop secure, mobile, multi-service networks."
New Modules Deliver Additional Flexibility
ProCurve Networking by HP's two new 100FX modules are designed to provide additional flexibility in the 5300xl and 4100gl series of chassis switches.
The ProCurve Networking by HP Switch GL 100FX MT-RJ module provides 12 MT-RJ 100FX connections in a single wire-speed GL module for the ProCurve Networking by HP Switch 4100gl series. High port density 100FX aggregation allows customers with 100FX backbones to use the 4100gl series as a 100FX distribution point in their networks where layer 2 simplicity and low cost is paramount. The ProCurve Networking by HP Switch XL 100FX MT-RJ module provides this same functionality in a single wire-speed XL module for the HP ProCurve Switch 5300xl series. When layer 3 services are needed, this high port density 100FX aggregation allows customers to use the 5300xl series as a 100FX aggregation point at the center of their network. Both modules offer a limited lifetime warranty, as do the original 5300xl and 4100gl series chassis switches.
The ProCurve Networking by HP Switch 5300xl and Switch 4100gl series offer customers a modular alternative to stackable products with media flexibility, port density, high performance and redundancy at or below the price of most competitors' stackable solutions. The product families allow customers to expand their networks without additional cost and complexity, while removing the bandwidth constraints of proprietary stacking kits required for stackable network solutions.
Pricing and Availability
The ProCurve Networking by HP Switch XL 100FX MT-RJ module has a U.S. list price of $4,729 and the ProCurve Networking by HP Switch GL 100FX MT-RJ module has a U.S. list price of $2,809.(1)
Software upgrades and phone support are included free of charge. All upgrades are available as of today.
ProCurve Networking by HP products, services and solutions -- including Ethernet switches, routing switches, wireless access points and network-management applications -- allow customers to build networks that meet current and future needs for security, performance and reliability. More information about ProCurve Networking by HP solutions and products and the ProCurve Networking by HP Adaptive EDGE Architecture is available at ProCurve Networking by HP Site.
About HP
HP (NYSE:HPQ) is a leading global provider of products, technologies, solutions and services to consumers and businesses. The company's offerings span IT infrastructure, personal computing and access devices, global services and imaging and printing. HP completed its merger transaction involving Compaq Computer Corporation on May 3, 2002. More information about HP is available at HP Site.
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(1) Actual prices may vary.
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 and performance 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 HP's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2002, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 21, 2003, 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 assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
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