Hewlett-Packard Company, a leading global manufacturer of networking products, has introduced feature enhancements to HP TopTools for Hubs & Switches, enabling network administrators to configure Quality of Service (QoS) features for HP Procurve Switches. This enhancement is currently available on HP ProCurve Switches 8000M, 4000M, 1600M and 2424M.
When installed, HP TopTools for Hubs & Switches allows the network administrator to reconfigure HP Procurve Switches with the single click of a mouse. This reconfiguration, called policy based configuration, allows the network administrator to bypass the usual means of manually reconfiguring each switch, providing a time-saving, cost-effective means of network management.
QoS describes the end-to-end network performance of a network connection. QoS configuration is critical to ensuring that a network performs to its maximum potential. HP`s Procurve Networking QoS Strategy creates a logical and simple framework for moving your network from the provisioning stage to controlling traffic, prioritising, and, finally, reserving and guaranteeing bandwidth
Class of Service (CoS), or Traffic Prioritisation, is just one component of the HP ProCurve Networking Quality of Service (QoS) strategy. CoS features allow network managers to configure their networks so business-critical applications and servers are given priority during periods of high bandwidth demand. CoS enables the prioritisation of traffic at the desktop switch level by creating differentiated levels of priority using criteria such as IPToS bits, IP Address, VLAN or protocol information. Packets are then tagged, switched and forwarded in queue according to their prioritisation. These features use 802.1p/Q standards and are completely interoperable with other existing switches and routers.
HP Top Tools for Hubs & Switches
HP TopTools for Hubs & Switches, offered free of charge with all managed hubs and switches, delivers the control customers need to ensure the network uptime and performance their organisations need. The benefits of HP TopTools for Hubs & Switches include the following:
end-to-end management - Users can manage standards-based hubs and switches, PCs and servers from a single application;
choice - Applications run on their own or with popular management platforms, such as HP OpenView for Windows NT(R), CA Unicenter, Tivloli TME 10 and NetView;
anywhere Management - Browser technology makes capabilities of management station available anywhere;
users see entire network - Software monitors traffic on up to 1,500 segments simultaneously;
optimises performance - The network-performance-advisor feature analyses stored traffic data and suggests ways to improve the performance of any Ethernet speed, from 10Mb/s to 100 Mb/s to gigabit, using clear diagrams and plain language; and
less time and effort - Use of the familiar, Web-based interface, combined with such features as automatic management and intelligent installation, means the network is up and running straight out of the box.
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