HP Switch Series Assists VARs With Migration From Legacy To SDN Environments

HP recently announced its next-generation HP 5400R zl2 Switch Series, designed to support customers as they migrate from legacy vendors to software-defined network (SDN) environments.

Steve Brar, manager of global product marketing, networking for HP, says the switch series will allow VARs to deliver resiliency and performance for the enterprise and SMB network access layer and for small to medium core deployments at SMB and branch offices. With support for OpenFlow 1.3, it will also support new SDN applications allowing VARs to grow their businesses with this new market opportunity.

Clients migrating from legacy to software-defined systems can face challenges of re-engineering their networks to support SDN. “With HP technology we’re removing that barrier by designing SDN solutions to work in a hybrid way where customers can use traditional forwarding mechanisms to route traffic through the network and SDN to enhance or modify the treatment of that traffic,” Brar explains. “In addition, with the 5400R we are continuing to offer OpenFlow support at no extra charge. The original 5400 also supports OpenFlow with a free software update.”

In addition, the switches are designed with fifth-generation ProVision Fabric ASIC technology, providing the flexibility to deploy bandwidth-intensive applications with throughput that is three times faster than competitive offerings. With 58 percent lower latency and up to 2 terabits per second of switching fabric capacity, the switches enable end users to use new applications or enhance the experience of existing solutions, such as video conferencing.

The series also features unified wired and wireless policy through HP Intelligent Management Center single pane-of-glass management and supports integrated wireless LAN modules to provide a unified platform.

HP provides launch assets and trainings around the 5400R, which are made available to HP partners. Some of these assets include a new product introduction (NPI) training / webinar, customer presentation and resources such as a data sheet, competitive brief and eDM (electronic Direct Mail) templates for customers. In addition, HP also provides ExpertOne Sales and Technical certification programs to partners, giving additional information and training on these products. The 5400R is also covered by HP’s Lifetime Warranty 2.0, which in addition to lifetime warranty includes 24 x 7 phone support for 3 years enabling customers and partners to call HP if a product issue is encountered.

Sign in for product data sheet, product video, and FAQs.