New HP Desktop Switches Deliver Switched Performance Starting At $55 Per Port; HP ProCurve Switch 212M and HP ProCurve Switch 224M are Ideal for Workgroups or Individual Users

Business Wire, August 31, 1998

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 31, 1998-- Hewlett-Packard Company, a leader in complete computing solutions, today unveiled two new managed desktop switches that deliver HP reliability and strong management to small workgroups and high-performance users.

Backed by HP's lifetime limited warranty, the new switches offer one the lowest-cost switched solutions in the industry.

"More and more HP customers are giving individual users high-performance, switched access to the network," said Jan Bell, worldwide marketing manager for HP's Workgroup Networks Division. "HP's new desktop switches are part of an overall strategy for giving customers the performance they demand, while keeping networking inexpensive, reliable and easy to manage."

Today's announcement fills out the HP ProCurve product line, which includes a range of new, low-cost desktop hubs and switches introduced during the past two months.

The HP ProCurve Switch 212M and HP ProCurve Switch 224M are flexible desktop switches that deliver strong performance and manageability. Both switches are fixed-configuration desktop switches with either 12 or 24 10Base-T ports and a 10/100 autosensing port for a high-speed uplink. In addition, a high-speed transceiver slot gives customers the flexibility to choose an additional high-speed 100Mbps Ethernet UTP or fiber connection.

Both switches are bundled with HP TopTools for Hubs & Switches software for simplified network management, monitoring and performance analysis. HP TopTools software provides a browser interface, enabling administrators to view the whole network from any location. The software easily integrates with the Web-based management agent embedded in the new switches. As an additional management feature, both switches include port mirroring for monitoring and trouble-shooting network activity.

U.S. PRICING AND AVAILABILITY

The new HP ProCurve switches are expected to be available worldwide on Sept. 1 through HP's network of authorized computer dealers, resellers and distributors. -0-

PRODUCT NAME                         PART  U.S. PRICE  PRICE/PORT
                                    NUMBER

HP ProCurve Switch 212M (12 ports)  J3298A    $829        $64

HP ProCurve Switch 224M (24 ports)  J3299A   1,379         55

-0- INDUSTRY-LEADING SUPPORT

All HP hubs and switches include free end-user support as well as a lifetime limited warranty for as long as that customer owns the product. In many parts of the world, HP also provides next-business-day advance product replacement at no additional cost. These features benefit customers by minimizing cost and eliminating impact to the network.

HP CUSTOMER CARE

HP Customer Care provides comprehensive, proven support expertise and leverages new technologies to give customers end-to-end support. Services include setup and installation, trouble-shooting tools, warranty upgrades, repair and exchange services, phone and Web support, software updates and self-maintenance services. Information about HP Customer Care can be found at http://www.hp.com/go/support.>ABOUT HP

Hewlett-Packard Company's Workgroup Networks Division is a leading supplier of networking products including Ethernet hubs and switches, network management applications and remote connectivity modules that allow customers to build proactive networks.

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 127,200 employees and had revenue of $42.9 billion in its 1997 fiscal year.

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

    CONTACT: Hewlett-Packard Company
              Tomas Walberg, 916/785-2248
              tomas_walberg@hp.com
               or
              Copithorne & Bellows for HP
              Suzanne Howard, 415/975-2229
              suzanne.howard@cbpr.com