HP Layer 3 Switches Enable IP Multicast Technology on the InteropNet

Business Wire, Oct 7, 1997

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 7, 1997--Hewlett-Packard Company, a networking industry leader, today announced that its award-winning Layer 3 switches are enabling vendors to stream high-bandwidth audio and video applications across the Networld Interop InteropNet, the show's production-scale enterprise network.

The HP AdvanceStack Switch 2000 and Switch 800T are the only Layer 3 switches in their class to support IP Multicast technology, which delivers multimedia priority and quality of service to make networked multimedia work more efficiently and effectively. Switches that don't support IP Multicast flood multicast packets over the entire network. HP Layer 3 switches are IGMP(1)-aware and can direct multicast streams to only those hosts that have requested it.

"At Spring Networld Interop, 47 percent of attendees indicated they were interested in IP Multicast technology, so we are very happy to be able to demonstrate it with HP switches this fall," said Steve Hultquist, president of Worldwide Solutions, Inc. and InteropNet NOC team member. "It's a valuable opportunity to showcase something we know people are interested in."

"HP Layer 3 switches are making it possible for us to deliver IPTV on the InteropNet in the Application Forum," said Karl Auerbach, principal software engineer at Precept and InteropNet NOC team member. "Given that IP multicast is usually used for high-bandwidth audio/video applications, IGMP-aware hubs and switches can really make a difference by optimizing network efficiency with lower complexity and less cost than a router solution."

ABOUT HP LAYER 3 SWITCHES

The HP Switch 800T is an eight-port autosensing 10/100Base-T switch with industry-leading Layer 3 capabilities for backbone connectivity. The HP Switch 2000 is a modular switch, with six slots for interconnecting 10Base-T, 100Base-T, FDDI and 100VG segments. An ATM module is expected to be available in the second half of 1997. HP Layer 3 switches offer wire-speed performance and can be substituted for LAN routers, which traditionally have provided IP Multicast functionality but at a higher cost and with more compexity.

All HP switches come with an industry-leading three-year limited on-site warranty.

ABOUT THE INTEROPNET

The InteropNet presents an excellent opportunity for exhibitors and attendees to experiment with how different technologies and manufacturers of equipment interoperate and to "test-drive" some of the latest technologies.

The 12,000-node InteropNet consists of 340 miles of twisted pair and fiber-optic cable and 2,000 pieces of equipment from more than 100 vendors. The equipment is donated by companies through the InteropNet Contributors Program. The InteropNet is designed, implemented and operated by members of the Network Operations Center (NOC) team, which is composed of volunteer top experts from industry, government and academic sectors of the networking industry.

Tours of the InteropNet are conducted hourly by members of the NOC team. Attendees can stop by the InteropNet Kiosk, next to the NOC, for information on tours. InteropNet tours start every hour on the hour and last for approximately 45 minutes.

ABOUT HP

HP is a leading supplier of networking products, including stackable hubs and switches, network-management applications, remote connectivity and high-speed devices. HP's AdvanceStack hubs and switches are the network foundation at all World Cup sites.

Information about HP and its products can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.hp.com/go/network_city .

HP is the official information-technology hardware and maintenance supplier to the 1998 World Cup soccer tournament.

Hewlett-Packard Company is a leading global provider of computing, Internet and intranet solutions, services, communications products and measurement solutions, all of which are recognized for excellence in quality and support. HP has 120,500 employees and had revenue of $38.4 billion in its 1996 fiscal year.

Information about HP and its products can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.hp.com .

(1) IGMP is Internet Group Management Protocol

NOTE TO THE EDITOR: Sales information may be obtained by calling 1-800-533-1333 or at http://www.hp.com on the World Wide Web or visit HP's Network_City at http://ww.hp.com/go/network_city. For information and support by FAX, users may dial FAXHPFIRST (800-333-1917).

Please do NOT use editor-contact or corporate telephone numbers for sales information. Information in this release applies specifically to products available in the United States. Product availability and specification may vary in non-U.S. markets.

If you choose to review this item, your readers will receive the quickest response to their inquiries by mailing them to Hewlett-Packard Company, Direct Marketing Organization, P.O. Box 58059, MS 511L-SJ, Santa Clara, Calif. 95051-8059.

CONTACT: Tomas Walberg, HP

916/785-2248

tomas_walberg@hp.com

or

Maureen Grijalva

Copithorne & Bellows for HP

415/975-2212

maureen.grijalva@cbpr.com