HP ProCurve Networking today extended its support for the HP ProCurve Adaptive EDGE Architecture by introducing HP ProCurve Manager and HP ProCurve Manager Plus.
This new network management software provides basic and advanced management features for the most demanding enterprise networks. These products are the first available to enable true command from the centre with control to the edge - advanced management functionality at the network core to more effectively control intelligent devices at the network`s edge.
HP ProCurve Manager is an easy-to-use, Windows-based network management solution that is included in-box with all manageable HP ProCurve devices. HP ProCurve Manager Plus offers all of the functionality of HP ProCurve Manager, and then goes a step further, providing additional network control and advanced device-handling capabilities that are designed to enable more accountability, more agility, and a better return on IT.
"The traditional strategy of handling authentication and enforcing access policies at the network core must evolve, as the burden of handling every request becomes unmanageable," said John McHugh, general manager and vice-president, HP ProCurve Networking Business.
"Today`s architectures must utilise the network edge to provide security, mobility, and simple, manageable access to multiple services on a single network-all while maintaining complete control from the network centre.
"In the not to distance future, network access will be determined by identity-driven management (IDM), in terms of which the network adapts to changing business needs and network configuration may be automated," continued McHugh.
"Command from the centre will enable enterprises to continually update their networks in a cost-effective and manageable way - without continual redesign and expensive hardware and software upgrades."
HP ProCurve Manager makes it possible to manage today`s complex networks of fluctuating traffic levels, variable device groups, ever-changing security policies, and unpredictable bottlenecks by providing top-down, real-time information about the network. With intuitive, tree-based navigation, HP ProCurve Manager provides all the basic tools needed to effectively manage a network, including:
* Network status summary: Upon boot-up, a network status screen displays high-level information on network devices, end nodes, events and traffic levels.
* Alerts and troubleshooting: An events summary screen displays alerts to the user and categorises them by severity, making it easier to track where bottlenecks and issues exist in the network.
* Automatic device discovery: This feature is customised for fast discovery of all HP ProCurve manageable network devices.
* Topology and mapping: This feature automatically creates a map of discovered network devices. Maps are colour-coded to reflect device status and can be viewed at multiple levels (physical view, subnet view, or VLAN view).
* Device management: Many device-focused tasks can be performed directly by the software, or the user can access Web and command-line interfaces with the click of a button to manage individual devices from inside the tool.
HP ProCurve Manager Plus provides all of the functionality of HP ProCurve Manager, plus advanced management features for more demanding enterprise environments, including:
* Advanced VLAN management: A new, easy-to-use VLAN management interface allows the user to create and assign VLANs across the entire network, without having to access each network device individually.
* Easier configuration management: Changes in configuration are tracked and logged, and archived configurations can be applied to one or many devices.
* In-depth traffic analysis: An integrated, low-overhead traffic monitor interface shows detailed information on traffic throughout the network. Using enhanced traffic analysis protocols, the user can monitor overall traffic levels, segments with the highest traffic, or even the top users within a network segment.
* Device software updates: This feature automatically obtains new device software images from HP and updates devices, allowing the user to download the latest version or choose the desired version. Updates can be scheduled easily across large groups of devices, all at user-specified times.
* Advanced scheduling: This feature allows scheduling of key tasks (network discovery, firmware upgrades, configuration backup, etc) to run at regular intervals or specific times, reducing business interruptions by setting tasks to be done during times of minimal network usage.
* Group and policy management: The user can create device groups and set group policies for managing those devices. Predetermined configurations can be automatically applied to new devices that have just been added to the network.
Pricing and availability
Beginning in October 2003, HP ProCurve Manager will be included with the purchase of any managed HP ProCurve switch, along with a 30-day trial version of HP ProCurve Manager Plus. HP ProCurve Manager can also be downloaded from the Web at no charge. HP is the only vendor to offer this level of management solution at no additional cost.
HP ProCurve Manager Plus will also be available 1 October 2003, through HP`s channel partners. As with all HP ProCurve products, HP provides phone support at no additional cost.
HP ProCurve is committed to offering the highest quality product at the best cost over time. This includes a commitment to continue to enhance the new software package through add-ins that adapt to the edge, to continue to offer backwards compatibility on all software offerings, and to maintain our use of open standards to support customer flexibility. The introduction of HP ProCurve Manager and HP ProCurve Manager Plus further extends support for the HP ProCurve Networking Adaptive EDGE Architecture. The Adaptive EDGE Architecture enables companies to more affordably manage complex applications -- including mobility, security and convergence -- more effectively, through the use of intelligent technology at the edge of the network.
Together, HP ProCurve routing switches, switches, secure access products, and network management software give enterprises complete, centralised control of the network, with maximum intelligence deployed at the edge.
More information about HP ProCurve networking solutions and products is available at http://www.hp.com/go/hpprocurve.
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HP is a technology solutions provider to consumers, businesses and institutions globally. The company`s offerings span IT infrastructure, personal computing and access devices, global services and imaging and printing for consumers, enterprises and small and medium businesses. For the last four quarters, HP revenue totalled $71.3 billion. More information about HP is available at http://www.hp.com.
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