HP switches on convergence plan

According to the most recent market research, many companies will deploy both voice over IP (VoIP) and wireless solutions across their networks within the next few years. So it is no surprise to find major vendors such as HP adopting the two technologies and integrating them into umbrella solutions designed to sell more traditional network equipment such as Ethernet switches.

The idea behind HP's new Edge strategy is that firms will need to deploy secure wireless solutions to carry voice traffic reliably over corporate networks that have both wired and wireless infrastructure.

HP's Edge architecture utilises the VoIP and quality of service (QoS) features already integrated into HP's ProCurve family of Fast Ethernet switches, alongside a new range of wireless access points set to be introduced over the next few months. The VoIP equipment, such as private branch exchanges (PBXs) and IP handsets needed to carry voice calls over the network, will be supplied by telephony specialist Mitel.

"We figured out that the applications most likely to go mainstream are convergence, security and mobility, and decided that interaction between the three requires a network infrastructure centre-point to support them," said John McHugh, HP's vice president and general manager. He conceded that most IT managers are probably not yet ready to implement or even understand the benefits of the Edge strategy, but said it was important for HP to start developing affordable solutions nonetheless.

High purchase costs have traditionally deterred many companies from adopting VoIP kit, but HP aims to reduce the price of the necessary components to attract a wider customer base. "The difference between customers now and three years ago is dramatic," said McHugh. "Now they want to look at the bottom line, not just do things because it's the next advance. Most of them are saying, 'Why is this worth more to me than what I'm paying already?'"

HP estimates that the price of IP handsets could fall as low as £70 per unit by the end of this year. Further savings may come from the introduction of "dumbed down", low-power wireless access points that move encryption, load balancing and user authentication functions out of the access points and into the network switch. However, the advantages of this strategy may be reduced by the fact that more access points will be needed to provide adequate coverage over the same area.

McHugh admitted that HP's approach here is similar to the Mobius Axion System developed by Symbol Technologies, though he said there were important differences.

Symbol's Mobius Axion is a wireless LAN system that also centralises management and configuration functions on a specialised switch, rather than on multiple access points. The switch handles security, quality of service, network management and load balancing, as well as a number of upcoming features for wireless networks.

"Symbol doesn't really know the enterprise networking market, while HP will be first with support for 802.1q [quality of service], and to ship 802.1x [security] as a default feature set on our wireless products," commented McHugh.

Have your say: reply to IT Week

See also:

HP acquires Riverstone fast switch rights

Vendor bolsters ProCurve range with purchase of XGS 10Gb switch blueprints and code  14 Jun 2004

Wireless LANs

Exploring wireless networking technology and its business applications  08 Aug 2003

Firms voice WLAN doubts

Vendors are busily developing voice-over-WLAN kit, despite uncertain demand  10 Feb 2003

Comment: Voice over IP starts making sense

Recent developments in voice over IP technology and the rise of telecommuting make this a good time for firms to reconsider the case for VoIP systems, says Bill Pechey  10 Feb 2003

Like this story? Spread the news by clicking below:

 del.icio.us     Digg this     reddit!