HP Shakes Up Entry-Level Hub Market
Debuts Industry's First Upgradable 8-Port Ethernet Hub at Rock Bottom Price
PALO ALTO, Calif., November XX, 1994 -- Hewlett-Packard Company, the leading supplier of stackable hubs, stood the industry on its head today, introducing the first 8-port Ethernet hub with the option of adding management capabilities. With a list price of just $299, lower than most "dumb" hubs available today, the HP AdvanceStack 10Base-T Hub-8U is the only 8-port Ethernet hub offering users a scalable upgrade path to advanced SNMP management functionality as their needs change.
Until now, anyone buying an 8-port Ethernet hub had to choose between an inexpensive, unmanaged hub that was incapable of being upgraded, or a costly hub with management capabilities that might never be used. The HP AdvanceStack 10Base-T Hub-8U is unique among competitive entry-level Ethernet hubs because users don't have to pay for capabilities they don't need, yet their investment is protected should their management needs change in the future.
"As the trend towards managed networks accelerates, HP leads the industry in bringing the upgrade technology found only in larger hubs into the 8-port arena, giving our customers the future protection they want at an irresistable price," said Mark Fragoso. "With its unique combination of low cost, upgradability, lifetime warranty and HP quality, we expect the AdvanceStack 10Base-T Hub-8U to quickly become the 8-port Ethernet hub of choice."
Pay-As-You-Grow Networking
Scalable management allows the HP AdvanceStack 10Base-T Hub-8 to grow with the network. The initial low cost of the HP AdvanceStack 10Base-T Hub-8U and its upgradability make it the most cost-effective solution for creating a small network for workgroup printer and file sharing. As an entry-level, intelligent hub without management capabilities installed, the HP Hub-8U costs less than most ordinary unmanaged hubs, and provides true plug-and-play operation, a compact design for easy desktop placement and famous HP quality backed by a lifetime warranty. As more ports are needed, additional AdvanceStack hubs can be chained to the Hub-8, up to 16 in all. And when managing the network becomes an issue, the Hub-8U offers the unprecedented ability in a hub of this size to add the level of management needed.The optional Distributed Management Module (DMM), which installs easily into the Hub-8U expansion slot, gives the Hub-8 the power of a fully managed hub. On its own, the Hub-8U with the DMM installed provides comprehensive, out-of-band management capabilities that can be easily accessed through the included Windows-based HP Stack Manager software. When chained to other AdvanceStack hubs with Distributed Management capabilities -- either other management-enabled Hub-8s or AdvanceStack Pro hubs -- the entire stack can be managed from a single workstation.
Installing an SNMP module into any AdvanceStack Pro hub in the stack provides the entire stack, including all management-enabled Hub-8s, with standards-based SNMP management capabilities, opening the door to advanced network management through HP's industry-leading OpenView network management tools. Likewise, adding an EASE module to any AdvanceStack Pro hub in the stack provides the entire stack with the advanced diagnostic capabilities of this exclusive HP technology.
With the optional Distributed Management Module installed, the HP AdvanceStack 10Base-T Hub-8 also is the lowest-cost managed solution for adding a small cluster of nodes to an existing HP AdvanceStack-based network. Any combination of up to eight workstations, file servers or network attached printers can be placed where they are need and easily tied into the enterprise network by chaining the Hub-8 to an existing AdvanceStack Pro hub. As SNMP and EASE capabilities are added to the network, the management-enabled Hub-8 will automatically acquire the new functionality and continue to pay off on the initial investment.
HP Quality Built In
The HP AdvanceStack 10Base-T Hub-8U is the latest member of the HP AdvanceStack family of intelligent stackable hubs, routers, bridges and switches. The entry-level Hub-8U features eight ports with RJ-45 connectors and one recessed transceiver slot for attaching an optional coax, unshielded twisted-pair (UTP), fiber or AUI tranceiver module for chaining the Hub-8U to other HP AdvanceStack hubs. Individual multifunction LEDs provide status information for each port. Any combination of up to 16 AdvanceStack hubs can be connected up to a total of 200 meters apart using standard coax or UTP wiring, or 10 kilometers apart using optical fiber cabling. An MDIX switch allows the Hub-8 to be daisychained to another hub through one of the RJ-45 ports. An expansion slot accepts the optional Distributed Management Module, giving the Hub-8U its unique scalable management capabilities. The Hub-8U is packaged in a compact enclosure measuring just 8.5 inches wide by 6.5 inches deep by 1.75 inches tall, allowing the Hub-8 to easily fit on any desktop, and is powered by an external power supply.The HP AdvanceStack 10Base-T Hub-8U is backed by HP's lifetime limited warranty, featuring onsite service during the first year, and factory service thereafter.
HP AdvanceStack products are a new class of stackable network connectivity products designed to meet the demands of today's rapidly changing and diverse information-system requirements. The HP AdvanceStack line has been designed to incorporate the manageability and functionality of chassis products while retaining the flexibility and ecomony of stackable ones.
AdvanceStack products provide a range of performance options and capabilities at economical prices to meet the network connectivity requirements of small single sites to large distributed organizations.
Pricing and Availability
The HP AdvanceStack 10Base-T Hub-8U and the Distributed Management Module will be available through HP's worldwide network of authorized computer dealiers, resellers and distributors. Additionally, these products will be available through major computer superstores.Model Name Price
J2610A AdvanceStack 10Base-T Hub-8U $299
J2612A AdvanceStack Distributed Management Module 199
J2606A Fiber Transceiver Module ______
J2607A UTP Transceiver Module ______
J2608A Coaxial Tranceiver Module ______
J2609A AUI Transceiver Module ______
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