HP Defines Architecture for Network-Based Virtualization of Enterprise Storage; Company Extends Benefits of Enterprise-Wide SANs, Increases Scalability and Performance

Business Wire, Jan 21, 2003

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 21, 2003

HP (NYSE:HPQ) today announced that it is the first company to deliver a comprehensive architecture for implementing network-based storage virtualization. As the leader in open storage area networks (SANs)(1), HP plans to simplify storage management, improve storage utilization and enable storage services across heterogeneous environments through its enhanced network-based virtualization.

As customers increasingly add networked storage into their environments, virtualization will enable them to deploy today's storage services across the enterprise. With network-based virtualization, delivered through HP VersaStor technology, HP is significantly expanding its ENSAextended strategy to provide customers with easily managed storage environments that are more controllable, resilient and extensible.

Enabled with network-based virtualization and heterogeneous storage services, an HP adaptive infrastructure will provide customers with the necessary elements of a storage utility.

"HP enables customers to adapt and optimize storage and service levels through advanced technologies such as virtualization, adding greater simplicity and utilization of storage resources," said Howard Elias, senior vice president and general manager, HP Network Storage Solutions. "Today's announcement demonstrates not only HP's industry leadership in virtualization, but also our ability to deliver the products and solutions today and a clear architectural roadmap for the future with full investment protection, providing an adaptive storage infrastructure that is more controllable, resilient and extensible."

Network-based virtualization will allow enterprise-wide pools of modular storage assets to be easily managed and provisioned, adding greater functionality and utilization. With more than 100 virtualization patents, HP currently ships the industry's broadest portfolio of virtualization solutions today, including: the HP StorageWorks Enterprise Virtual Array; the HP StorageWorks Virtual Array; and the HP OpenView Continuous Access Storage Appliance (CASA), a solution that enables heterogeneous storage services including replication, snapshot and data migration.

HP plans to extend the benefits of CASA services by integrating VersaStor technology into both the CASA platform and an intelligent switch platform (see press release: HP and Brocade Deliver Enhanced Capabilities for Enterprise Storage Area Networks, announced Jan. 21). This will distribute processing across the storage network to more intelligently route input/output based on the data services required.

Based on a modular approach, HP's network-based virtualization allows customers to adapt and scale their storage infrastructure, adding and allocating resources as required, while protecting existing IT investments. Customers can begin by adding CASA today to their SANs to provide replication and data migration services. Later this year they will be able to implement a VersaStor-enhanced CASA solution and add VersaStor-enabled switches into their existing fabrics. The solution will be managed today and in the future through HP OpenView Storage Area Manager software.

"In May, HP committed to integrating the virtualization capabilities of HP and Compaq into a logical, building block approach that protects customer investment," said John McArthur, group vice president, Worldwide Storage Research, IDC. "Today's announcement provides proof-points for that promise and a clear vision for the future."

ENSAextended provides an ideal blueprint for how customers can implement new technologies that will enable an adaptive storage infrastructure based on business needs.

More information about HP's virtualization offerings and HP OpenView CASA is available at http://www.hp.com/storage/virtualization.> About HP

HP is a leading global provider of products, technologies, solutions and services to consumers and businesses. The company's offerings span IT infrastructure, personal computing and access devices, global services and imaging and printing. HP completed its merger transaction involving Compaq Computer Corporation on May 3, 2002. More information about HP is available at http://www.hp.com.

(1) IDC, Worldwide Disk Storage Systems Quarterly Tracker, issued December 2002.

This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions include the possibility that the market for the sale of certain products and services may not develop as expected; that development and performance of these products and services may not proceed as planned; and other risks that are described from time to time in HP's Securities and Exchange Commission reports, including but not limited to HP's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 31, 2002 and reports filed subsequent to HP's annual report on Form 10-K, as amended on January 30, 2002, for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2001. If any of these risks or uncertainties materializes or any of these assumptions proves incorrect, HP's results could differ materially from HP's expectations in these statements. HP assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.