HP Leads Growth in Networking Industry for Layer 2 10/100 Ethernet Switching; HP ProCurve Switches Achieve 208 Percent Increase in Third Quarter

Business Wire, Nov 24, 1998

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 24, 1998-- Hewlett-Packard Company today announced its HP ProCurve Layer 2 10/100 Ethernet switch ports captured the highest worldwide market growth in the industry for the third calendar quarter of 1998, according to a report issued by Dell'Oro Group, a Portola Valley, Calif.-based research firm.

According to the report, the market for Layer 2 10/100 Ethernet switching grew 58 percent in that timeframe, representing the largest increase of any single category included in the report. HP accomplished 208 percent growth in Layer 2 10/100 Ethernet switching, almost doubling its overall market share from 1.3 percent in the second quarter calendar year in 1998 to 2.5 percent in the third quarter. HP advanced from the No. 9 position to the No. 6 position in the overall share in this market.

"HP has fueled the acceleration of the hottest segment of the networking market, achieving market-share growth that surpasses that of its competitors and solidifies HP's position as a networking industry leader," said Jan Bell, worldwide marketing manager of HP's ProCurve Networking.

"HP's investment in the networking market continues to bring excellent results," said Duncan Campbell, worldwide marketing manager for HP's Personal Systems Group. "Our channel partners and customers alike are realizing the true value of the HP ProCurve Networking offering: superior price/performance benefits, unmatched lifetime limited warranty and industry-leading service and support."

HP ProCurve Switches

HP's award-winning line of HP ProCurve switches offers solutions for any size network. HP workgroup switches offer dedicated performance and scalable growth at desktop prices. HP interconnect switches offer the highest level of performance and flexibility. All HP ProCurve switches feature HP Proactive Networking, which provides network managers with the control they need to enable increased uptime and performance. HP customers can choose from 10/100/1000Mbps switching options in both stackable and modular form factors.

Industry-leading Support

All HP ProCurve hubs and switches include free end-user telephone support as well as a lifetime limited warranty for as long as the 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.

About HP

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 124,600 employees and had revenue of $47.1 billion in its 1998 fiscal year.

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