HP ProCurve Rolls Out Gigabit SMB Switches
ProCurve's Small Business Networks division on Tuesday announced the addition of two new switches in its Switch 2510G series, extending the 2510 product line to hit SMBs looking for Gigabit connectivity. The original SMB switches in the 2510 Series offers 10/100 connectivity, where the 2510G adds Gigabit to the fold.
According to Rich Horsley, ProCurve Americas product manager, the new series gives small and midsize companies an upgrade path to Gigabit to enable large file transfers and the use of high-bandwidth applications like graphical data, video streams, large databases, network backup and data storage.
Designed for companies of 40 to 300 users, Horsley said the new series drives the need for Gigabit in the SMB, where users are starting to use more advanced applications and need to print and share large files. Additionally, it is becoming more necessary for SMBs to offer Gigabit speeds to the desktops. The 2510G is available in 24- and 48-port configurations.
Kristen Pierce, ProCurve global product marketing manager, said SMBs have already embraced ProCurve's 1800 Series of Web managed switches and moved into Layer 2 managed boxes. For VARs, the new series is an opportunity to up-sell SMB customers as they continue to grow.
"It allows SMB resellers to sell up instead of selling them Web managed or entry level Layer 2 managed [switches]," she said, adding that it adds another product to a reseller's portfolio.
And ProCurve's Small Business Networking switches are realizing fast growth, according to recent research by the Dell'Oro Group.
"In the Web managed Gigabit segment category, ProCurve grew at a 60.6 percent rate, in contrast with quarter over quarter industry growth of 12.7 percent, boosting ProCurve Small Business Networking switches to the No. 2 position in this segment with a 21.5 market share," the Dell'Oro group said in a statement.
The 2510G series will be available July 1 and SMBs will be able to receive free phone support for life as well as ProCurve's trademark lifetime warranty, Horsley said. Next-business-day advance replacement is also available without a service contract.
Horsley said the standards-based 2510G Series offers high performance and investment protection. The 2510G-24 offers quite operation for open-space deployments, he added, and the switch series offers SMBs flexibility in authentication methods, whether it's 802.1x, Web or MAC authentication. Additionally, the switches feature protected ports for segregation and control of network traffic.
Horsley added that both VARs and users can connect the 2510G series right out of the box with all ports enabled.
The 2510G-24 offers 20 ports of 10/100/1000 plus four dual-personality ports, while the 48-port version offers 44, 10/100/1000 ports and four dual-personality ports. The switches feature RMON for traffic monitoring and up to 16 switches can be used together in a stackable configuration.
Also with the 2510G series, ProCurve is highlighting environmental friendliness. According to ProCurve, the switch series uses ideal-width sheet metal for durability and energy and waste reduction. ProCurve is also reducing the amount of documentation shipped with the switch and making it available on the Web to reduce production energy. ProCurve has also begun offering trade, recycle or donation options for disposing of old equipment; is undergoing factory audits for compliance with HP Supply Chain Social and Environmental Responsibility Policy; and maintaining compliance with Restriction of Hazardous Substances directives.