New HP ProCurve architecture provides for multi-service networks

HP South Africa has introduced a comprehensive enterprise network planning and design infrastructure that enables companies to build secure, mobile, multi-service networks.

The HP ProCurve Networking Adaptive EDGE Architecture delivers intelligent control to the EDGE of a network, allowing companies to more effectively manage complex applications, including mobility, security and convergence.

The Adaptive EDGE Architecture places appropriate intelligence at the point where traffic enters the network while keeping management of the network at a convenient, central location.

By placing intelligence in EDGE devices and empowering them to manage traffic flow, the architecture minimises network traffic and management complexity while providing a secure foundation for future applications. Control to the EDGE places selected layer 2, 3, 4 and higher functions in EDGE switches that control access and traffic flows to ensure applications work correctly and concurrently without interference.

HP ProCurve Adaptive EDGE networks support both centralised cores and distributed cores with equal facility since either interior core configuration can enforce the key decisions made at the EDGE.

The architecture was developed to enable enterprises to build a network that easily adapts to the unique needs of each user, in essence, delivering a personalised network for each user. This is achieved through a number of key innovations, including:

* HP ProCurve EDGE-enabled switches -- Enterprises can cost-effectively deploy user and security applications at the point where the user connects. The switch immediately recognises who the user is and the types of services and access they are authorised to have, thus personalising the network for them at the point of entrance. This also means that any unauthorised traffic is stopped at the point of connection, making the network less vulnerable to attack.

* Secure connections for both portable and mobile users -- 802.1X port-based access control, MAC lockdown and attack protection features allow the ProCurve architecture to deliver unparalleled security.

* Advanced application support -- HP ProCurve products, software, network designers, partners and support personnel provide support of the nearly limitless applications that will be deployed on Ethernet networks in the foreseeable future. For example, HP can provide VOIP or IP telephony solutions, design expertise and the network products that use layer 2, 3 and 4 traffic prioritisation to ensure voice packets are not lost and latency is minimised throughout a multi-vendor the network, EDGE to EDGE.

* Design flexibility and simplicity -- HP ProCurve networking products eliminate the need for custom network designs or rigid network design standards. This saves organisations both time and resources by enabling easy implementation of secure, mobile, multi-service networks.

* HP ProCurve policy-based management -- This range of management tools delivers control to the EDGE, paired with command from the centre, ensuring that the network is highly secure and easy to manage and enables low total cost of ownership.

Many elements of the HP ProCurve Networking Adaptive EDGE Architecture are already available in current HP ProCurve products, including the recently introduced HP ProCurve Switch 5300 series.