HP'S New 10Base-T PCI Adapters Provide Maximum Performance Choices for Customers; HP Introduces New DeskDirect Brand Name for its Adapter Family

Business Wire, March 25, 1996

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 25, 1996-- Hewlett-Packard Company, the leader in network systems for workgroups, today introduced two cost-effective 10Base-T PCI adapter cards and announced the brand name DeskDirect for its family of network adapter cards.

All of HP's future adapter products will carry the DeskDirect brand.

HP's new DeskDirect 10Base-T PCI LAN Adapters are part of HP's complete adapter connectivity solution, which provides low-risk, high-performance LAN connections for networks of any size.

Both adapters will appeal to customers with any type of network, including those who need the lower-priced 10Mbps adapters for client machines or for servers in a 10Mbps environment.

The 10Base-T PCI LAN Adapter has one RJ-45 port for twisted-pair cable. The 10Base-T PCI Combo LAN Adapter has one RJ-45 port for twisted-pair and one BNC port for thin coaxial cable. Both of the adapters' drivers are compatible with HP's existing 10/100 adapters. This means customers can easily and affordably move from 10Mbps networking to 100Mbps networking with HP's full line of cards. In addition, they can mix and match the 10Mbps adapters with high-speed adapters in their networks while keeping the same driver set.

HP DeskDirect 10Base-T PCI LAN Adapters are designed for high throughput and low CPU utilization. Multiple modes of operation, busmastering and full duplex operation provide for optimum performance and broad compatibility. Busmastering capability accelerates data-transfer speeds and decreases CPU utilization, which allows servers to process LAN information more efficiently and improves performance.

The DeskDirect 10Base-T PCI LAN adapters offer Microsoft(R) Plug-and-Play operation, which allows automatic configuration by Windows 95 and minimum setup time. All of HP's adapters offer low-risk HP quality and reliability with the latest integrated-circuit and surface-mount technology for low failure rates.

Other products in the DeskDirect adapter family include HP's 10/100VG PCI LAN Adapter, 10/100VG EISA LAN Adapter and the 10/100VG ISA LAN Adapter. The range of choices -- 10Mbps to 100Mbps -- within the DeskDirect adapter line provides maximum performance choice for the customer.

All DeskDirect adapters are compatible with HP's NetServer line of file servers. "With PCI adapter support, HP NetServer users benefit from plug-and-play ease-of-use and better price/performance," said Duncan H. Campbell, worldwide marketing manager of HP's Network Server Division.

U.S. PRICES AND AVAILABILITY

HP's DeskDirect adapters are available through HP's worldwide network of authorized computer dealers, resellers and distributors and are backed by a limited lifetime warranty. The DeskDirect 10-Mbit PCI LAN Adapter is expected to begin shipping in April, the DeskDirect 10-Mbit Combo Adapter in May.