HP'S NEXT-GENERATION INTERNET ADVISOR FAMILY INCLUDES FIRST INTEGRATED FDDI LAN ANALYZER AND WAN BASELINING SOLUTION FOR TROUBLESHOOTING ACROSS THE ENTERPRISE.

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 20, 1995-- Hewlett-Packard Company today rolls out its next-generation Internet Advisor family, the most comprehensive set of troubleshooting solutions on the market today for local area networks (LANs) and wide area networks (WANs). New features include a variety of integrated protocol-analysis solutions for Ethernet, token-ring and Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI) networks, as well as the industry's first integrated solution for switched Ethernet segments -- all under one handle.

Superior to nonintegrated portable solutions, HP's Internet Advisor family is the first solution to combine all major LAN technologies, full data capture, automated troubleshooting and LAN baselining software in one small, affordable package.

For customers who want to optimize the performance of their WAN, HP also is delivering a new WAN baselining software application -- called Internet Reporter -- that gives users a high-level view of what is going on in the network.

"HP has developed a truly integrated family of protocol analyzers that place power in the hands of the field test engineer," said John McConnell, president of McConnell Consulting, a market-analyst firm based in Boulder, Colo. "These integrated analyzers deliver expert troubleshooting regardless of environment."

Delivering the first truly integrated LAN analyzer, HP today introduces several new members to its LAN Advisor series for troubleshooting on-site and remote LANs. Together, these products -- the HP J2522B Ethernet Advisor, HP J2523B Ethernet/Token-Ring Advisor and the HP 2524A FDDI undercradle -- offer users uncompromised Ethernet, switched Ethernet, token-ring, and FDDI monitoring and analysis -- all under one handle.

INCREASED EXPERT ANALYSIS AND TROUBLESHOOTING

To facilitate the resolution of network problems, additional intelligence has been folded into each LAN Advisor -- giving users the broadest set of expert-analysis tools on the market.

Each LAN Advisor incorporates a dedicated reduced- instruction-set-computer (RISC) processor that allows filtering of data at full network capacity to increase performance. Expert troubleshooters for AppleTalk, Banyan, Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) and TCP/IP routing protocol have been added to the existing commentators for protocols such as TCP/IP, SNA, Novell and DECNet -- eliminating the need to sift through massive amounts of network data.

The new LAN Advisors help users locate the source of LAN problems with expert troubleshooters that provide automated analysis capabilities, including commentators, vital signs and statistics. More than 240 potential problems are gathered for these LAN media to provide users with a high-level view of network activity.

POWERFUL INTEGRATED PERSONAL COMPUTER

Integrated with a rugged, on-board 486 personal computer (PC), the Internet Advisor series, which includes both LAN and WAN Advisors, comes in a lightweight, easy-to-carry package that weighs less than 14 pounds.

To boost performance, the LAN and WAN Advisors' integrated PC now boasts a new 486DX4 central processing unit running at 100 MHz, Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) Type I/II Interface, 256MB hard drive, and 10.4-inch passive VGA color display -- all standard. A 512-MB hard drive and 10.4-inch high-performance active matrix VGA display are optional. As a result, the PC runs up to four times faster than the previous release -- substantially improving application performance.

The LAN Advisor series also delivers a convenient method for installing and troubleshooting in switched Ethernet environments. This new Switched Ethernet Interface incorporates a second RJ-45 connection and hub logic. Unlike competitive solutions, it eliminates the need for a hub to sit between the switch and the server. This solution saves money, reduces cabling problems and enables the LAN Advisor to analyze communications without disturbing the server.

OPTIMIZING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE WAN

HP also is making field testing of WANs faster and easier by adding new members to its WAN Advisor series. Like the LAN Advisors, these products incorporate a more powerful PC and also can integrate undercradles for monitoring FDDI as well as Ethernet and token-ring networks. This improved processing power gives users WAN, Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) and FDDI testing under one handle and removes the need to carry multiple test instruments to test sites.

HP Internet Reporter -- a unique, PC-based WAN baselining application -- can be used with the Internet Advisor family to interpret statistics and convert collected data into presentation-quality tables and charts. Users quickly can graph any of 140 different statistical measurements into customized reports, perform "what-if" scenarios, or benchmark applications and network-component performance. As a result, users gain additional insight into their networks and can plan accordingly -- optimizing the use of their WAN links.

This baselining capability now is available for LAN and WAN. Together with HP's integrated protocol analyzers, it eliminates hours of manual data manipulation. More important, it extends the application of protocol analyzers beyond reactive mode to proactive network planning. By optimizing traffic on expensive WAN links, end users can see significant savings in internetwork operating costs.

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U.S. PRICES AND AVAILABILITY Model Price Availability HP J2301B T1 Advisor $12,950 8 weeks HP J2302B CEPT-E1 Advisor 12,950 8 weeks HP J2522B Ethernet Advisor 14,950 8 weeks(a)

(tests switched Ethernet segments) HP J2523B Ethernet/Token-ring Advisor 19,950 8 weeks(a) HP J2306A Ethernet undercradle 10,500 Immediate

for HP J2301B and J2302B HP J2309A Ethernet/Token-ring 16,500 Immediate

undercradle for HP J2301B and J2302B HP J2524A FDDI undercradle 20,000 12 weeks

for HP J2301B, J2302B,

J2522B, or J2523B Model J3306A Internet Reporter 995 8 weeks

for WAN Model J3307A Internet Reporter 1,495 8 weeks

for WAN and LAN

Hewlett-Packard Company is a leading global manufacturer of computing, communications, and measurement products and services recognized for excellence in quality and support. HP has 98,200 employees and had revenue of $25 billion in its 1994 fiscal year.

(a) These products incorporate HP's version A.07 software. HP's A.08 software, which adds expert commentators for AppleTalk, Banyan, OSI, and TCP/IP routing protocols, is expected to be available in fourth quarter 1995.

-0- NOTE TO THE EDITOR: Sales information may be obtained by calling 1-800-452-4844 ext. 9305. Please do NOT use editor-contact or corporate telephone numbers for sales information. Information in this release applies specifically to products available in the United States. Product availability and specifications may vary in non-U.S. markets. If you choose to review this item, fastest response to your readers' inquiries will be assured by mailing them to Hewlett-Packard Company, Direct Marketing Organization, P.O. Box 58059, MS51L-SJ, Santa Clara, Calif. 95051-8059.

CONTACT: Kristina Thorngate

Cunningham Communication, Inc. for HP, 408/764-0737