HP pitches new 10/100 ProCurve switches

The new HP switches are designed to help customers standardise their network environment

HP has launched new versions of its ProCurve switches which it claims will allow firms to cut networking costs and complexity.

The company has extended its ProCurve 3500 switch series with the addition of new ProCurve 10/100 switches, described as low cost and flexible systems for cost-sensitive enterprises.

HP said that the four new switches are designed to help customers standardise their network environment, and offer "future-proofing" in that the 10/100 chips are bundled with software backed by lifetime support upgrades.

"The switches are ideal for enterprise edge deployments that do not require Gigabit throughput, such as for IP telephony, physical security solutions and wireless solutions, maintaining the highest levels of security and operational efficiency," HP said in a statement.

HP claimed that competing systems use a range of software, thereby complicating the server estate, and that the ProCurve switches have an advantage in that they use common software.

"ProCurve's support of open standards gives customers the choice of interoperable network alternatives to deliver value to their businesses," said Gijs Zantvoort, European product marketing manager at HP.

Customers can choose between 24-port or 48-port versions of the new switches, and Power over Ethernet (PoE) or non-PoE versions depending on the network environment. The switches also support standards-based interoperability, and can be used with a range of vendor network systems.

The switches will be released on 1 July starting at £1,662 excluding VAT. The most expensive in the range, the J9473A ProCurve 3500-48-PoE, costs £3,593 ex VAT.