HP Introduces Industry's First 100VG Print Server

New Three-port Print Server Supports 100VG AnyLAN or Standard 10Mbps
Ethernet LANs

PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA. APRIL 1, 1996

Hewlett-Packard Company, the leader in network systems for workgroups,
today introduced the industry's first print server to support high-speed
100VG AnyLAN networks. The HP JetDirect EX Plus3-100VG external print
server completes HP's 100VG workgroup product line, which includes hubs,
switches, routers, LAN adapter cards and network-management software.

The JetDirect EX Plus3 print server delivers a print-file transfer rate of
up to 220KB/s. The product uses Texas Instruments' ThunderLAN 100VG chip
set and has three high-speed HP Bi-Tronics parallel ports. 100VG
technology provides 10 times the speed and up to 20 times the throughput
of existing 10-Mbps Ethernet equipment. The combination of 100VG
technology and high-speed Bi-Tronics technology ensures that even the most
bandwidth-intensive print jobs get to the printer quickly and are
completed at maximum engine speed.

This added performance is particularly important for printing
graphics-intensive files, especially those that include color. The print
server also supports up to three HP and non-HP parallel printers,
providing the flexibility to create customized print stations to match
workgroup activities.

Features of the JetDirect EX Plus3-100VG print server include the
following:

 support for 100VG AnyLAN or 10Mbps Ethernet LANs;

 high data throughput (220KB/s);

 three high-speed Bi-Tronics Parallel ports;

 support for all leading network operating systems (NOSs),
 including NetWare Directory Services (NDS) support for
 Novell NetWare 4.1 and Windows NT

 true multiprotocol support -- automatically switches between
 protocols and does not require Novell NetWare to function;

 1MB Flash memory;

 powerful HP JetAdmin print-management software; and

 automatic reset after network failure.

"If you want leading-edge network performance today, this new product
offers a very simple, fast, easy-to-manage printer connection for 100VG,"
said Ken Hunt, product marketing manager for HP's Roseville (Calif.)
Networks Division. "If you are considering migrating to high-speed
networking in the future, the JetDirect EX Plus3 allows you to build with
Ethernet today and switch to 100VG when you're ready. Your investment in
network printing is protected."

100VG Standard

100VG AnyLAN is a state-of-the-art, 100Mbps local area network technology
that provides significant performance gains at the same price point or
lower than common 10-Mbps Ethernet technology. It combines the best of
existing Ethernet and Token Ring standards so that migrating from these
networks to high-speed 100VG is cost-effective and easy.

This ease of integration has made the technology a popular solution for
those requiring higher bandwidth and faster throughput from an existing
network.

Network Installation and Upgrades

The JetDirect EX Plus3 print server provides users with a simple,
cost-effective way to connect up to three HP or non-HP printers to a
network. The unit is fully compatible with virtually every major network
operating system, including Novell NetWare, LAN Server, LAN Manager,
Windows NT, Windows for Workgroups, Windows 95, AppleTalk, HP-UX, Sun-OS,
Solaris, IBM AIX, SCO UNIX and lpd for UNIX.

The JetDirect EX Plus3 print server also offers integrated NetWare
Directory Services support for easy installation and management of
printers on Novell's NetWare 4.1 software.

The new print server has three parallel ports with two types of automatic
switching for seamless execution of print jobs. It switches from one port
to the next, and it switches from one protocol to the next. Because of
these capabilities, any type of print file can be sent to any of the three
ports on the print server.

The JetDirect EX Plus3 print server also comes with 1MB Flash memory for
easy upgrades. Multiple print servers can be upgraded in one operation via
a single-broadcast download.

HP JetAdmin Software

The JetDirect EX Plus3 comes with award-winning, industry-standard JetAdmin
software. JetAdmin allows users to install, configure and manage all
JetDirect-connected printers through easy point-and-click operations from
their desktops. JetAdmin software provides network administrators with
advanced status-feedback information from HP printers to indicate such
conditions as "toner low" or "paper out."

HP has worked closely with Microsoft, IBM and others to integrate JetAdmin
functionality directly into such popular operating systems as Windows 95
and OS/2 LAN Manager. This integration simplifies the process of
installing and maintaining printers on a LAN.

U.S. Prices and Availability

The JetDirect EX Plus3-100VG is $649 and is expected to be available in
June 1996, through HP authorized resellers. The unit comes with a limited
three-year warranty.

HP JetDirect print servers are used to connect HP printers and other
printers directly to networks for superior network-printer reliability,
performance and location flexibility. Since 1991, HP has sold more than 3
million HP JetDirect print servers, making it the world's leading supplier
of network print servers.

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 105,200 employees and had
revenue of $31.5 billion in its 1995 fiscal year.

Information about HP and its products can be found on the World Wide Web at
http://www.hp.com.
 
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