the Pipeline

If you want to shoot your data in a different direction, you have new switches to choose from.

Hewlett-Packard Co. has introduced two entries in its ProCurve series of managed switches. The 2626-PWR and 2650-PWR are both stackable, multilayer switches, compliant with Power-over-Ethernet features to ensure protection against power disruptions.

The 2626-PWR is a 26-port switch with 24 autosensing 10/100 Ethernet ports and two dual-personality ports for either 10/100/1000 or mini-Gigabit Interface Converter connectivity. The 2650-PWR offers 50-ports, 48 autosensing 10/100 and two dual-personality ports.

Multiple personalities aside, the switches also support IP phones or other devices with

internal power supplies, eliminating the need for a separate one. HP is planning to introduce an external redundant power supply for additional protection. The switches feature a variety of security and advanced performance capabilities, including prevention of unauthorized access using Media Access Control address lockdown, and Secure Shell and Secure Sockets Layer for controlled access.

ReefEdge Networks recently released its EcoSystem wireless local-area network product family, including wireless switches and software. The company is positioning the product line as ideal for large enterprises with multiple sites.

EcoSystem features multivendor access point and switch support to avoid locking

customers into a single vendor for access points — the hardware that connects an internal network to the Internet or a dedicated network. The company has also created branch office solutions, including an integrated switch and access point, and centralized management software so that organizations don't need to staff their branch offices with network

administrators.

And speaking of access points, SMC Networks Inc. has begun shipping EliteConnect, a universal wireless access point. The device conforms to 802.11a, 802.11b and the newer 802.11g standards to provide near-universal wireless connectivity.

It can support up to 64 simultaneous users and offers a choice of Web-based, command-line or proprietary software management interfaces.

The access point supports encryption up to 152 bits, along with other security features. SMC has also released two new wireless print servers, both called EZ Connect — one for parallel port and one for USB port connections. The print servers support the 802.11b standard and offer a maximum data transfer rate of 11 megabits/sec.