HP expanded its networking portfolio with new HP ProCurve offerings integrated with HP BladeSystem infrastructure solutions that enable customers to increase performance, security and management of both physical and virtual environments.
The new offerings include the HP ProCurve 6120 series designed to leverage the award-winning HP BladeSystem infrastructure and an expansion of the HP ProCurve 8200 and 5400 Ethernet switch portfolio. Also included in the announcement is a firmware upgrade to HP Virtual Connect that allows users to change bandwidth on the fly to respond to fluctuations in application requirements.
To further strengthen the business benefits delivered by HP BladeSystem, HP ProCurve is offering two new standards-based blade switches that increase service quality, lower costs and reduce risks in the data centre.
To reduce complexity and deliver investment protection, the 10Gb HP ProCurv 6120XG Blade Switch is designed to meet the demands of virtual machines and high-performance applications. When combined with the HP ProCurve Data Centre Connection Manager, the switch delivers automated network connection management and provisioning. Engineered with emerging network standards in mind, the HP ProCurve 6120XG Blade Switch is Converged Enhanced Ethernet (CEE) ready, enabling integration of Ethernet and Fibre Channel networks in the future.
To reduce network complexity, lower connectivity costs and offer flexibility for deploying a data centre technology infrastructure, HP enhanced its innovative Virtual Connect portfolio. HP Virtual Connect with HP BladeSystems reduces acquisition costs up to 66 per cent. New customer benefits include:
· Twice the Fibre Channel bandwidth at a lower cost per 8Gb port than competitive offerings with HP Virtual Connect 8Gb 20-Port Fibre Channel Module.
· Increased network flexibility from the new Virtual Connect Firmware Update with Virtual Connect Flex-10.
HP channel partners also will benefit from an enhanced portfolio of networking options to offer customers.
HP also announced enhancements to its HP Adaptive Infrastructure Maturity Model (AIMM) for both end-users and channel partners.