Dave Courbanou

June 29, 2010

3 Min Read
HP's New Fiber Channel And TippingPoint

HP is releasing a new Fiber Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) module for the HP A5820 data center switch. The module is designed to prevent a “fork-lift” upgrade, allowing incremental updates and migrations for FCoE. HP is also introducing new TippingPoint S-series solutions. Here’s the scoop and some channel implications…

HP’s FCoE module can connect to physical and virtual storage, along with Ethernet storage networks, converging traffic from storage and network top-of-rack switches. The goal is to simplify networks through consolidation and thus naturally eliminate complexity. HP touts the new FCoE module for the HP A5820 FCoE as a compliment to the newly released HP Virtual connect FlexFabric module for the HP BladeSystem.

On the security front, HP has introduced four new TippingPoint S-series solutions that have been coupled with technology from HP Digital Vaccine Labs (DVLabs) for comprehensive zero day protection.

  • HP TippingPoint Secure Virtualization Framework (SVF) and the new HP TippingPoint Virtual Controller (vController) suite of products designed to inspect virtual machine traffic to prevent malware. vController extends that protection to all network traffic – physical and virtual – utilizing HP TippingPoint N-Platform Intrusion Prevention System.

  • HP TippingPoint Reputation Digital Vaccine service (Rep DV) brings to the table efficient network monitoring and improved and protection.

  • HP TippingPoint S1200N IPS A7500 Module carries with it the ability for flexible deployment of network protection with advanced Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) security in blade form factor.

  • HP TippingPoint S1500 SSL appliance which is a dedicated solution for decrypting and re-encrypting Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) website traffic and alerting suspicious activity can be addressed promptly.

So what about the channel, then? I spoke to Matt Zanner, director of Data Center Solutions at HP Networking. He gave me a quick rundown…

Zanner felt that few channel providers looked to become experts across the entire board as far as networking and security were concerned, so working with HP would have an advantage, because…

“HP did — and worked to integrate — IPS blade into a switching [into the] fabric [with] some of the other capabilities with SAN and LAN. You’re creating an opportunity to build out new lines of business that are interested in pressing converged infrastructure [while] HP is bringing comprehensive stuff.”

He continued…

“[There is] new revenue opportunities for the channel partners [with] compelling… hardware [and the ability to have] services wrapped around delivering and maintaining [that hardware]. [It also is] helping customers on an adoption path between SAN and LAN [with] cost saving, benefits to be gained. [It’s an] area of specialist convergence happening. Fibre Channel SAN related solutions is a mechanism for [channel partners] opportunities.”

And then, I asked if Zanner could tell me anything about the recent acquisition of Palm despite Zanner being very much the wrong man to ask. He laughed:

“I look forward to having a Palm phone issued to me.”

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