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HP has introduced new virtualization technologies that simplify the connectivity and management of its HP BladeSystem c-Class architecture, its core solution for the next-generation data center. The company has also launched its first workstation blade for the c-Class blade portfolio, the HP ProLiant xw460c Blade Workstation, to provide users with increased performance and scalability.

HP said the new Virtual Connect Ethernet and Fiber Channel virtualization modules dramatically simplify network connectivity and common server management tasks across the data center, and enable administrators to wire just once and then add, replace or recover servers on the fly. In addition to lowering capital and operating costs, the modules deliver simplified management capabilities that reduce the time it takes to execute these actions from hours or days to a matter of minutes.

"HP is creating systems that dramatically reduce installation time, cut costs for administration and reduce barriers to change within an IT organization," said Ann Livermore, executive vice president, Technology Solutions Group, HP. "With HP Virtual Connect, CIOs and IT administrators are set to overcome two of the biggest problems of today's data center: administrative productivity and the need to drive rapid change."

The new technologies bolster the HP Adaptive Infrastructure offering, which helps customers move towards 24x7, "lights out" data centers, and will add to the company's momentum in the blade server market.

"Customers are on a treadmill of complexity and cost that limits the value IT is able to deliver to the business," said Zane Adam, director, Windows Server Division, Microsoft Corp. "HP's new Virtual Connect modules with HP BladeSystem c-Class, running Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition, help customers operate mainstream business services more nimbly and cost-effectively, increase the manageability of their IT environments and improve responsiveness to new business requirements."

Built on industry-standard technologies, the HP Virtual Connect modules separate server management from local area network (LAN) and storage area network (SAN) management without introducing another network to manage or disturbing existing network topologies. Since HP Virtual Connect runs Ethernet and Fiber Channel natively, performance is not compromised, administrative tasks are significantly easier to complete and compatibility with existing network and storage infrastructures is assured.

In addition to speeding operations, the Virtual Connect modules can reduce total LAN and SAN connectivity costs by up to 38% versus pass-through modules and can consolidate cables and switch ports by up to 94%.

"HP's innovative Virtual Connect architecture will extend virtualization performance and capabilities delivered through HP's BladeSystem c-Class products," said Boyd Davis, general manager, Server Platforms Group, Marketing, Intel Corp. "We are excited to see the continued innovation and focus on improving IT efficiencies and flexibility with c-Class, especially when driven by Intel's Quad-Core Xeon and Dual-Core Itanium based platforms."

HP said Virtual Connect allows administrators within a few minutes to pre-provision servers, LAN and SAN infrastructures; recover or replace failed servers; deploy, move or migrate servers; switch between development, test and production networks; service remote sites without requiring travel of LAN or SAN administrators; and increase administrator productivity by 3-to-1.

HP Virtual Connect is widely supported by leading network and storage application software providers, and it offers an important growth opportunity for HP channel partners to extend the reach of the BladeSystem c-Class suite of products.

The HP BladeSystem Solution Builder Program is introducing Blade Connect, an online BladeSystem community for customers, partners and industry observers. Blade Connect will allow the community to have direct interaction, share knowledge, collaborate on solutions and set up meetings for further discussion.

To help customers leverage HP Virtual Connect for BladeSystem c-Class for faster investment returns and better business outcomes, HP Services has introduced a range of implementation and support services. The HP Virtualization Assessment Service provides a detailed view of the current server environment, evaluates the data and recommends changes for improving return on investment through IT consolidation and virtualization. The HP Quick Thermal Assessment Service for HP BladeSystem offers a cost-effective analysis of data center space and power and cooling resource requirements for HP BladeSystem deployments.

HP said the HP ProLiant xw460c Blade Workstation delivers data center workstation computing without boundaries by combining the centralized, mission-critical control and security of the data center with a seamless, workstation-class experience and the flexibility to support professionals in multiple work locations.

Powered by Dual-Core Intel Xeon 5000 series processors with up to two-processor capability, the xw460c delivers a powerful, high-performance experience to users while practically eliminating desk-side support visits. The xw460c is ideal for customers in the financial services, public sector and manufacturing industries.

The HP Virtual Connect Ethernet module starts at $5,699, while the HP Fiber Channel module starts at $9,499. The HP ProLiant xw460c Blade Workstation starts at $4,329. All are currently available.

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