HP VirtualSystem incorporates the FlexFabric architecture, a simplified 1- or 2-Tier network fabric optimized for direct server-to-server/server-to-storage traffic that delivers secure, high-performance virtual machine (VM) migration across the data center with unified orchestration. Unlike legacy 3-Tier architectures, HP FlexFabric provides wire-once, direct connections to thousands of virtual machines, eliminating unnecessary network hops, reducing latency and optimizing network utilization and performance.

Elements of HP FlexFabric include:

• Intelligent Resilient Framework (IRF)
• Virtual Connect
• Secure Virtual Framework (SVF)
• Intelligent Management Center (IMC)

IRF overcomes the limitations of legacy spanning tree designs by providing rapid failover for delay-sensitive, mission-critical applications and dramatically improving network utilization and performance in the network core.

By deploying IRF in conjunction with highly-scalable 12500 switches in the core and 5830 GbE and 5820 10 GbE series switches in the access layer - IT can completely eliminate the requirement for a dedicated aggr egation layer as they scale-out data centers, and enjoy the benefits of large Layer 2 domains with increased network uptime and simplified management.

HP Virtual Connect, the industry's leading interconnect solution for virtualization/VM, celebrates exceeding 5 million ports shipped, and announces availability of Virtual Connect Firmware v3.30 with new innovations to further simplify customers' transition to Cloud computing. Virtual Connect is one of the cornerstones of the HP FlexFabric Architecture.

Since its introduction, HP Virtual Connect, the world's first wire-once technology, has revolutionized the way virtualized servers are connected to networks. HP appreciates the tremendous customer enthusiasm for Virtual Connect, as we pass the important milestone of 5 million ports. The rapid adoption of Virtual Connect shows how customers are embracing the exceptional value.

As customers' needs change with transition to Cloud Computing, Virtual Connect continues to innovate more customer value into our product. We're announcing general availability of Virtual Connectv3.30, delivering improved management and core networking capabilities that simplifies, integrates and provides a unique foundation for automating server and network connectivity.

Security for Virtual and Cloud Environments

The HP TippingPoint Secure Virtualization Framework (SVF) is designed to provide IT personnel a single consolidated, yet flexible solution for extending the HP TippingPoint N-Series Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS), powered by DVLabs Security Threat Intelligence and Research, into the virtualized data center. br />
HP TippingPoint SVF provides purpose-built solutions that are integrated with VMware and designed to enable the HP TippingPoint N-Series IPS to enforce full data center firewall segmentation and IPS inspection between trust zones for physical hosts of trust zones for physical hosts, virtual machines (VMs), and even mobile VMs. SVF also provides network/security teams with real-time visibility and control of virtual environments by:

• Mapping out virtual/physical network paths
• Providing configuration of security policies by VM and/or zone
• Assigning of automatic trust zone for new or un-trusted workloads
• Automatic security policy configuration for VMs in motion

End Swivel Chair Management

The HP FlexNetwork architecture unifies the network with a common management layer. This eliminates the complexity of multiple management systems with single-pane-of-glass management across the HP FlexNetwork architecture.

HP Intelligent Management Center (IMC) unifies physical and virtual network management and helps IT overcome the challenges of administering the new virtual server edge.

The solution provides a unified view into the virtual and physical network infrastructure to help accelerate application and service delivery, simplify operations and boosts network availability.