NETWORKS

ProCurve Networking by HP today unveiled Adaptive Networks, its vision for the future in which networks are adaptive to users, applications and an organization’s needs. Adaptive Networks will enable businesses to complete IT initiatives while providing them a path to turn their networks into strategic assets. To help businesses achieve this, ProCurve is offering customers standards-based, cost-effective products that fortify security, increase productivity and reduce complexity in the enterprise. Adaptive Networks build on ProCurve’s current architectural blueprint for the enterprise network, the Adaptive EDGE Architecture, which is being implemented by thousands of customers. “The Adaptive EDGE Architecture, first announced more than five years ago, has been a growing success for us and our customers,” said John McHugh, vice president and general manager, ProCurve Networking by HP. “With Adaptive Networks, we’re providing a clear roadmap to application deployment that doesn’t sacrifice ease of use, superior cost of ownership or current capabilities.” Adaptive to users To be adaptive to users, the network must know the user’s identity and device needs and then personalize the user experience by customizing the view of resources and capabilities offered. This personalization benefits the user and the organization through a consistent networking experience in the office, at a supplier, or from a remote site regardless of wired or wireless connectivity. Adaptive to applications Adaptive networks are standards-based, convergence-ready and able to easily integrate IP telephony, video, web-based, collaborative and future applications. Embedded network intelligence strengthens the network without restricting the network to a single vendor solution or proprietary technologies. This embedded intelligence empowers the adaptive network to understand and optimize each application. For example, in voice applications, the adaptive network can assign the appropriate quality of service (QoS) to avoid dropped calls, while providing the right level of security to both protect the application and optimize availability. Adaptive to the needs of organizations Because they are open and flexible, adaptive networks help organizations respond appropriately and swiftly to change and competitive pressures, from both a business and an operational standpoint. This leads to more efficient operations, greater expandability and investment protection. Adaptive networks let organizations focus on business goals, rather than devoting exorbitant time, money and resources to running the network. Adaptive networks provide immediate benefit to a company by efficiently harnessing the power of the network to meet today’s application needs. Adaptive networks also minimize long-term cost of ownership by providing the flexibility to evolve with the company’s needs, automating much of the ongoing operations of the network and authorizing the company to monitor and optimize the usage of its network. “Applications, data, content and communications are converging onto a single network. Securing the confidentiality and integrity of these while rolling them out in a cost-effective and manageable way is critical,” said Andy Buss, senior analyst, Canalys. “By focusing on making adaptive networks easier to deploy and manage, for example through Identity Driven Management, ProCurve Networking by HP brings a strong proposition to the market.” “ProCurve’s rapid growth continues to lead the industry,” said Nick Lippis, president, Lippis Consulting. “Customers do not have to commit to a single-vendor, proprietary offering which tends to lock in customers and tie up an IT budget. The key to network flexibility is to invest in the right products and services for networks that are truly open and adaptable by function.”