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HP Raises Stakes in Networking Game With 3Com Play
HP has been trying to muscle into Cisco's turf with its ProCurve line of networking gear, which has been growing but is still a very small part of HP's business. Adding 3Com beefs up HP's networking offerings and gives it a bigger presence in China.
H-P to Acquire 3Com for $2.7 Billion
Hewlett-Packard Co. said it agreed to buy networking-gear maker 3Com Corp. for $2.7 billion in cash, the latest move by H-P to bulk up its product line amid a broader push by the few remaining technology giants to turn themselves into one-stop shops for corporate customers.
HP and 3Com: It's All About the Core
It's hard to look at a deal the like Hewlett-Packard's $2.7 billion buyout of 3Com outside the lens of the major corporate-industrial machinations that are driving the data center sector right now. And clearly, this one will have a significant impact on the fortunes of not only HP and 3Com, but Cisco, Brocade, IBM and countless others.
3Com acquisition confirms HP-Cisco battle for China
Hewlett-Packard's 3Com acquisition may pose the most serious threat Cisco has ever faced in the enterprise networking market, heightening the HP-Cisco battle…On the technology front, the company would have what executives called an "edge-to-core" portfolio, complete with data center servers to take on Cisco.
HP Buys 3Com for $2.7B in Major Networking Play
HP (NYSE: HPQ) said today it plans to buy networking player 3Com in a $2.7 billion deal that aims to turn the hardware giant into a forced to be reckoned with in networking…The move looks to buttress HP's own expansive role in the enterprise datacenter with 3Com's networking switching, routing and TippingPoint network security solutions.
HP acquires networking vendor 3Com
The acquisition will also give HP access to a research and development team and strong sales channels in China, where 3Com operates the H3C subsidiary it originally formed as a joint venture with Huawei Technologies. The deal would also bring in 3Com's TippingPoint line of intrusion prevention products.
HP to Buy 3Com for $2.7B
The move will put HP in a strong position to compete with Cisco Systems in the increasingly competitive networking space, and also will help HP build its unified communications and collaboration capabilities, said Steve Schuchart, an analyst with Current Analysis.
HP agrees to buy 3Com for $2.7B
In announcing this deal, HP officials cited how 3Com's tools can add to HP's newly developed architecture, its "converged infrastructure" intended to integrate, standardize and virtualize as much as the data center, including servers, storage and I/O, as possible. HP's acquisition may also sharpen the fight with Cisco...
HP buying 3Com in $2.7 billion blockbuster
3Com recently re-entered the North America large enterprise switching stage after years of focusing on China. The company boasts a wide array of switching platforms – from workgroup, to wiring closet edge to deep data center core – after acquiring the whole of a joint venture it had with Huawei called H3C. HP, meanwhile, has been lacking a core data center switch for some time.
HP to Buy 3Com in Networking, Data Center Bid
Hewlett-Packard has agreed to buy 3Com for about US$2.7 billion, pushing forward the giant IT vendor's strategy for combining computing, storage, services and networking under one roof. 3Com will add to HP's Ethernet switching portfolio, which is already a growing competitor to Cisco Systems...
HP Takes Gloves Off In Fight With Cisco With Plan To Acquire 3Com
With the purchase, HP will be able to extend its networking business beyond its current ProCurve line with an extensive new line of Ethernet switch and router solutions.
HP ProCurve: Prodigal son returns
At least since Cisco's 'Californication', when the network giant announced it was entering the data center server market, HP has been busy shoring up its networking portfolio, culminating in this week's announcement that its data center and network businesses will be closely tied together at some point in the near future. In addition to making it clear that this will be mandatory for its channel partners working in either side of the business, HP also included a ProCurve announcement in the latest additions to its Total Care portfolio…"It's nice to be a part of the family," said Kristin Pierce, the HP ProCurve worldwide director of SMB solutions. Being folded in with the greater HP company is great news for both customers and partners, she said. "We are doing things to enable our channel to sell a total solution to customers."
Review: HP blade takes a stab at Cisco
HP has an alternative to the many security appliances that combine firewall, intrusion prevention and VPN functions: Just put a single blade in the vendor's ProCurve switch and be done with it. In this exclusive Clear Choice test, we assessed the HP ProCurve Threat Management Services zl module (TMS) in terms of its features, usability and performance. What we found is a well-designed, easy-to-use implementation that packs most common security functions into a small form factor. Multipurpose security devices are nothing new, but it's unusual to see all three functions in one switch module. For example, Cisco's ASA 5500 multifunction security appliances are not integrated into Cisco's switches.
HP Thinks Small With New Hardware For SMBs
Hewlett-Packard this week expanded its product line for small and midsize businesses with the introduction of several storage, networking and notebook PC products…new from HP is the ProCurve 1810G series of IP switches. The primary difference between the new eight-port and 24-port 1810G series and the existing 1810 switches is the addition of Web-based management. In addition, the eight-port 1810G switch has Power-over-Ethernet connectivity so it can be used in areas without a readily available power source.
HP Aims New Products, Services at SMBs
Hewlett-Packard is rolling out a host of new solutions, services and financing options designed to help SMBs take advantage of the anticipated rebound in the economy. The new offerings, announced Sept. 29, touch on SMB needs around such issues as security, risk management, productivity, cost reduction and energy efficiency. The offerings are part of HP’s Total Care portfolio for SMBs…In addition, the company unveiled the ProCurve 1810G Switch series, which gives SMBs Gigabit Ethernet connectivity that is easy to install and manage, given the small IT staffs SMBs tend to have. There are a number of options around fan-less designs, mounting choices and network security capabilities.
HP Extends SMB Offerings in ProCurve, Storage
HP today introduced a series of new products aimed at the SMB market, not as whittled-down enterprise products with a few key features hacked off but with the features needed to grow while being cost- and energy-conscious. The new offerings are an expansion of the HP Total Care portfolio, which helps small and midsized businesses (SMBs) manage, protect and grow their businesses. These products are an array of servers, storage, networking and security for SMBs meant to offer the option of growth into an enterprise-scale operation…On the networking side, HP is offering the ProCurve 1810G Switch, an eight- or 24-port 1Gbit switch that uses Power-over-Ethernet to power the device, fanless design for quiet operation and remote configuration. Additionally, the switches can reduce power consumption by shifting into low-power mode and reducing the LED lights, and it has built-in network security protection against denial-of-service attacks. Adding security to its switches has been a strategic shift for HP recently.
HP announces the Windows Home Server powered StorageWorks Data Vault for small businesses
To help customers save money, be more productive and manage security threats, HP announced: Improved administrative productivity with the HP ProCurve 1810G Switch Series. This series provides affordable gigabit connectivity that can be configured and maintained without a large or specialized staff. It offer customers flexible deployment options such as a fan-less design for silent operation, mounting options for easy deployment in any location and network security capabilities for protection against denial-of-service attacks. The eight-port model also features a Power-over-Ethernet option for connectivity in locations without readily available power sources. The series also is supported by the ProCurve Lifetime Warranty(5) to help customers better manage their overall networking expenses by providing value and choice for their business applications.
HP puts the net pedal to the metal: An inside discussion with the man calling the shots
Marius Haas is senior vice president and general manager of HP's ProCurve Networking business, which was recently aligned with the company's server, storage and services businesses under HP's Technology Solutions Group, creating an approximately $45 billion unit. Haas, who previously served as senior vice president of strategy and corporate development, is charged with shifting the network business into overdrive. Network World Editor in Chief John Dix caught up with Haas to talk about the market and his plans.
HP fortifies switch lineup for battle with Cisco
The new products are an indication that HP is serious about better integrating its server and networking capabilities for next-generation data center transformations. Those new architectures will rely heavily on virtualization, a unified switching fabric melding lossless Ethernet and storage protocols, and 10G Ethernet eventually replacing 1G server and switch connections. To date, HP has had a leadership presence in data center computing but not in networking. This should help -- especially now that Cisco is encroaching on HP's traditional blade server turf.
Your Move, Cisco: HP ProCurve Steps Up Convergence With New Blade Switches
[Analyst] Hochmuth said he expected to see more messaging and more development of ProCurve's product line as it relates to networking's role in the data center, especially where virtualization is concerned. "It's a message of, 'We've brought all of our assets to bear against Cisco,' which is obviously now a server and a networking player," he said. "It's a reaffirmation from HP that says, 'Look, we have all this, too, and we've been in servers longer.' The importance of the network is emphasized in a lot of these things, and that's the reason why HP is suddenly so interested in the ProCurve group. It's not just that Cisco is competing with them, it's the importance of the network as a strategic platform."
HP's new switch blades take on rivals
"What's different is this the first time the two business units (HP and HP ProCurve) have combined forces to have a more tightly integrated solution set that ties into all the management layers as well as bring into the c class all of the elements of ProCurve," said Matt Zanner, HP ProCurve director of data center solutions.” – That is really the critical news from my point of view. For years, HP has not fully integrated its ProCurve networking gear more directly into its HP hardware systems. That's no longer the case. HP ProCurve has all kinds of interesting and powerful management and security features baked into its networking gear that I've written about over the last few years. With ProCurve switches as part of the BladeSystem those features will now be further utilized.
HP chases Cisco with ProCurve blade switches
Hewlett-Packard is getting its converged networking act together. Today, the company announced two new ProCurve switches for its BladeSystem c-Class chassis, and one of them sports 10 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity, with the promise of supporting converged enhanced Ethernet, the soon-to-be-standardized protocol that rips off lots of goodies from the InfiniBand networking alternative and that allows the Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) SAN protocol to be run over 10 GE switch fabric to link servers to storage.
HP extends data center, campus Ethernet switches
The extensions are intended to better align HP's data center and network products for the market and mindshare battle with Cisco. Cisco's recently shipped Unified Computing System integrates data center servers, switching, virtualization and storage access, and are viewed as a competitive assault on HP and IBM's traditional data center turf.
HP bolsters networking lineup
HP on Wednesday rolled out new ProCurve networking gear, including new switches and a firmware upgrade. The product additions, part of HP’s duel with Cisco Systems, are integrated into HP’s BladeSystem architecture. Many vendors are jockeying for position as enterprises build out next-generation data centers.
HP Steps Up Competition with Cisco by Integrating Networking, Blades
“HP has an advantage over Cisco in the converged data center push in that it not only has the growing networking business, but also the established server and storage offerings, Yankee Group analyst Zeus Kerravala said in an interview. “Cisco has been talking about converged data centers,” Kerravala said. “HP has a real opportunity ahead of them. They have all the data center components. They can pretty quickly … pull it all together.”
Unified computing systems integrate more data center hardware
Unified computing systems integrate more data center hardware. As hardware vendors pack more data center functions into one box, they're assuming the duties that integrators and VARs have performed for years. New Hewlett-Packard ProCurve Blade Switches are the latest case in point…The products follow on the heels of the HP Matrix data center server/switch combo delivered in April, which was a reaction to Cisco Systems' Unified Computing System (UCS). All of these offerings aim to meld computing and networking power in one centrally managed piece of hardware.
HP Strengthens Integrated Server and Switch Line
“The design of IT equipment is about to dramatically change. No longer will data center servers, network switches, and storage area networks be sold autonomously. Instead, the different devices will be consolidated into integrated devices, and HP has made it clear that it wants to be a player in this market. As small and medium businesses monitor developments in this market place, they will need to keep an eye on HP and its product line.”
HP Expands Networking Portfolio
A gentle reminder that Cisco will not take over the data center without a fight. HP introduced a new 10 GbE blade switch and extended the options for other ProCurve switches.
HP Vs. Cisco: No More Mr. Nice Guys
HP has made waves with its ProCurve line of networking switches and equipment, chipping away at some of Cisco's market share. HP kept ProCurve relatively quiet for years, just recently trumpeting it as a true alternative to Cisco's higher-cost gear.
Why HP ProCurve is dismantling Cisco's market share on a deal-by-deal basis
Cisco VARs no longer have any margin left to profitably match HP ProCurve pricing on a deal-by-deal basis. Furthermore in my opinion, while Cisco salivates over 30 to 50 new market adjacencies, Cisco's loss of market share has in itself become the networking industry's newest market transition.
HP Looks For Security Blanket
Nobody is realizing the shift in security distribution more than equipment vendors Hewlett-Packard and Extreme. In April, HP and McAfee announced a partnership that allows HP to incorporate McAfee's products into its hardware, namely HP's switches and networking gear.
Cisco Battling To Stay 'Ahead Of The (Pro)Curve
Though eating into HP ProCurve sales is said to be the target of this "Ahead Of The Curve" initiative, an HP ProCurve executive has said the company is thrilled that Cisco sees it as a strong competitor, strong enough to adjust its pricing model.
HP ProCurve Rolls Out New 10/100 Switches
Hewlett-Packard’s ProCurve networking division on Monday took a swipe at rival Cisco with the rollout of four new 10/100-based switches touted to simplify overall management from core to the edge. New offerings provide benefits of a single software platform from which to manage every tier of switch in their network, core to edge, HP contends.
HP ProCurve Announces 3500 Series Switches for Enterprises
HP ProCurve announced four new 3500 Series 10/100 switches that reportedly help enterprises cut networking expenses. HP says the new switches are an extension of the HP ProCurve 3500yl series and provide options to run business applications efficiently.
HP, Cisco Ready to Rumble
Is Cisco Systems' dominance of the enterprise networking market about to see its first true test in more than a decade? HP seems to be the biggest threat by virtue of its multi-billion dollar market position and the fact that it already has a working network infrastructure at its disposal.
HP Takes Aim at Cisco with Alcatel Alliance
HP and Alcatel-Lucent announced their alliance June 18, a move that HP officials say enables customers of both companies to take advantage of the ongoing convergence of IT and telecommunications. HP officials expect that the partnership—once the definitive agreement has been executed—could generate billions of dollars in revenues over those 10 years.
HP ProCurve Offers New Converged Wireless, Wired Products
HP ProCurve is rolling out new access devices and wireless controllers that are designed to make it easier for enterprises to manage both their wired and wireless networks. The new products are part of a larger trend of building converged networking products to reduce network complexity and simplify the management of networks.
HP ProCurve gets into security with new server blade
HP ProCurve is adding a security blade to edge and core switches that enables businesses to insert firewalls, VPNs and IDS/IPSs wherever they have one of the switches. “This is just the first entry for HP ProCurve into security and will be followed up by more offerings,” says Mauricio Sanchez, chief security architect for ProCurve Networking.
Eliminate network gear maintenance fees to save big money
There’s another networking company that wants you to know that you have a choice. This company has a full range of networking products that meet the needs of organizations from the small business with a single LAN to the large enterprise with a world-class data center – and everyone in between. Who is this alternative networking provider? None other than HP, with its extensive ProCurve product line.
HP Unveils ProCurve Firewall, Security Ambitions
Hewlett-Packard is entering the crowded security market with its ProCurve 8212 and 5400 Series firewalls built on its switch platform.
ProCurve Takes Firewall, IPS With New Module
In its continued bid to round out its portfolio and become an end-to-end networking player, Hewlett-Packard's ProCurve Networking by HP unit on Monday plunged headfirst into the firewall, VPN and IPS markets, further pitting it against its networking rivals.
ProCurve Targets 'Growing Pains' With New Switches
A couple of months ago HP told eChannelLine it was addressing approximately 25 percent of a $19-billion market with its ProCurve networking group and wanted to get that number up to 70-80 percent.
ProCurve Targets 'Growing Pains' With New Switches
The new products, announced today and available for ordering in just a few weeks, are ProCurve’s first real foray into the world of holistic network security solutions.
ProCurve Targets 'Growing Pains' With New Switches
ProCurve unveiled the ProCurve 2910 Switch Series, a lineup of four switches designed to give smaller companies a scalable option to address the growing pains of a networking infrastructure. The 2910 series is an update to the ProCurve 2800 and 2900 Switch series.
ProCurve 2910: More Power to the SMBs
Hewlett-Packard is billing its new data network switch as an “in-between” device for shops that need more capacity but can’t afford to replace their entire rack. And, for the eco-friendly IT manager, it’s certified green. The 29 10 series is designed to meet the needs of SMBs and midsize companies that are outgrowing their current network but can’t afford to rip and replace.
ProCurve unveils new SMB switches
Citing data from Miercom, HP ProCurve says the 2910 line provides 23% energy cost savings when compared with the industry average, based on typical usage cost. Based on testing metrics, Miercom determined the annual running cost for the HP ProCurve 2910al-48G switch to be $67 compared with the Industry Average of $87, HP ProCurve says.
10G Ethernet Deployments Continue to Become Easier to Justify
Like other vendors, HP has been emphasizing the green features in its Ethernet switches. The product line is designed to optimize power usage and lower power costs with features, such as variable speed fans. Based on the Miercom testing metrics, the annual running cost of running the HP ProCurve 2910al-48G switch is $67 compared to an Industry Average of $87.
HP alliance optimizes ProCurve switches
NetworkWorld.TV reports on HP ProCurve’s launch reaction.
H-P and Cisco Looking Less Like Partners
Hewlett-Packard seems to be taking a full-force swing at longtime ally Cisco Systems.
Hewlett-Packard’s War of Words with Cisco Begins
Well, this week H.P. turned far more vocal as it held the first press conference in company history for its ProCurve line of switch equipment, which competes head-to-head against Cisco’s lucrative switch line. H.P. lined up a number of partners, including Microsoft, Avaya and Riverbed Technology, to support its new switch products.
Hewlett-Packard Expands Computer-Networking Products
Hewlett-Packard Co. is trying to undercut larger rival Cisco Systems Inc. in the market for business networking equipment by pricing its products at 30 percent to 50 percent less.
HP ProCurve wrestles with new tag teams
Don't ever forget that wrestling superheroes Macho Man Randy Savage and Hulk Hogan successfully tag teamed and beat the human colossus Andre the Giant and his tag team partner Ted DiBease at SummerSlam, why? Because today all eyes are on HP ProCurve as it wrestles goliath networking vendor Cisco with a new stable of tag team partners, billing themselves on enterprise marquees worldwide and to global networking fans as the ProCurve Open Network Ecosystem (ONE) tag team.
HP looks to build apps into blades
HP ProCurve has announced its Open Network Ecosystem, an alliance programme intended to get third-party network applications running on its switches.
Hewlett-Packard Launches ProCurve Allaince
In a move to counter Cisco's planned entrance into the data center, Hewlett-Packard is forming alliances, launching new products and authoring new initiatives. It's a three-pronged strategy that HP hopes will help the company and its partners gain more market share in a competitive arena.
ProCurve flicks the data center switch
Another networking vendor is taking a stab at data center switching, as ProCurve Networking by HP today jumped into the data center with the addition of five new switches to its roster.
HP flexes Data Center Muscle with New Switch
Hewlett-Packard ProCurve is extending its adaptive network mantra into the data center with its first-ever line of switching platforms designed for the data center environment.
HP ProCurve’s Now an Open Network Blade
The thin line between networking hardware and application servers is getting even more blurry, thanks to HP's latest move.
Avaya Announces Strategic Alliance with HP ProCurve
Avaya is joining the HP ProCurve Open Network Ecosystem (ProCurve ONE) to expand joint efforts in technology integration and innovation. ProCurve ONE is a multi-vendor alliance program that offers enterprises a choice of pre-tested interoperable solutions that run on the HP ProCurve Switch 5400zl and 8200zl series, which offers leading applications on a common platform.
HP Launches data center solutions
HP could be preparing to take on Cisco's AXP and the rest of the data center optimization market contenders with the launch of its ProCurve Open Network Ecosystem (ONE), says IT Business Edge's Arthur Cole.
HP ProCurve ONE takes on Cisco
HP is touting the initiative as a multi-vendor alliance program, which aims to improve the performance of enterprise-class applications on the ProCurve infrastructure. This includes customer support for security issues, diminishing the complexity of network management, launching new VoIP services and attempting to increase network and data center performance, the company said.
Riverbed to Integrate WAN Optimization Software on HP ProCurve Switching Infrastructure
Another networking vendor is taking a stab at data center switching, as ProCurve Networking by HP today jumped into the data center with the addition of five new switches to its roster.
HP ProCurve puts emphasis on the data center
On Monday, the company announced what it called its "first dedicated data center solutions", including the new Data Center Connection Manager software, which can automate the provisioning, or allocation, of server and network resources. The tool is designed to "streamline operations in next-generation data centers", HP ProCurve said in a statement.
Hewlett-Packard offers lower prices to challenge Cisco
Hewlett-Packard Co is trying to undercut larger rival Cisco Systems Inc in the market for business networking equipment by pricing its products at 30 percent to 50 percent less.
HP, Cisco to compete for data center business
A major salvo was fired by HP on Monday, when it announced the expansion of its ProCurve networking business, which competes against Cisco's market-leading equipment. The world's largest PC-maker announced a slate of news around the HP ProCurve business that includes a new class of switches for data centers, new data center management software and a new program called HP ProCurve ONE, which optimizes corporate applications for HP's networking infrastructure.
Mutually Assured Destruction: Cisco and HP Go TO War, No One Will Win
Point (Cisco), counterpoint (HP)
Recently the tech industry has been all a buzz about Cisco entering the server market. What would this mean to Cisco's relationship with large server vendors?
HP to hip-check Cisco out of data center
Until now, the two hardware giants were partners, with HP's ProCurve division serving customers needing edge routers while handing their core data centre switching demands to Cisco.
HP Beefs Up Networking Support
HP is shoring up its networking capabilities with new third-party integrated applications in what many see as a stance against Cisco and other rivals in the data center optimization field.
Hp ProCurve: “3x5 growth isn’t enough”
With both revenue and shipment growth greatly exceeding the overall networking market, HP ProCurve wants more. Marius Haas, senior vice president and general manager, HP ProCurve, says his group's total available market is worth $19 billion annually, but that they're only addressing maybe 25 percent.
HP ProCurve expands Adaptive Network Vision
HP ProCurve extended its Adaptive Networks vision by announcing two initiatives that enable customers to address rapidly changing enterprise data center needs and improve the efficiency of their network applications.
HP trying to shoulder Cisco out of the data center
With its new series of top-of-rack switches and pre-loaded modules, HP's ProCurve division can now offer an end-to-end solutions to customers. Industry analysts believe this takes ProCurve from being an also-ran to a serious contender in the data centre.
HP readies for Cisco’s data center assault
HP ProCurve this week will unveil its first switches built specifically for data center applications, as well as a server module for existing switches that enables users to begin integrating and consolidating switching and application processing.
HP launches vendor alliance for integrated apps, network gear
Hewlett-Packard Co.'s ProCurve networking division today announced an ambitious alliance with enterprise application vendors to optimize their software as it runs over ProCurve switches and other networking gear.
HP Blurs Data Center Lines With New Server/Switch
Hewlett Packard (NYSE: HPQ) on Monday released an embedded server blade that fits into higher-end ProCurve switches and a combined virtualization and network management technology. The new products blur the lines among the roles various vendors and devices play in the data center.
HP ProCurve Proving its Mettle
Once a step-child in the Hewlett-Packard family, the ProCurve networking line is growing more than twice the market rate and proving a viable alternative to market leader Cisco Systems.