HP Unveils Industry's Lowest-Priced Multiprotocol Print Server

New External Print Server Makes it Easy to Attach and Manage any Parallel
Printer on a Network

PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA. MAY 6, 1996

Hewlett-Packard Company, the leader in network systems for workgroups,
today introduced the industry's lowest-priced multiprotocol print server
-- the HP JetDirect EX Plus. The JetDirect EX Plus print server replaces
the HP JetDirect EX print server. It offers all of the features of the
JetDirect EX print server as well as 1MB Flash memory -- at a price that
is 30 percent lower than its predecessor.

At $349, the JetDirect EX Plus print server offers businesses of all sizes
the easiest, most cost-effective way to install and manage any HP or
non-HP parallel printer on a network.

"The JetDirect EX Plus print server was designed to make network printing
affordable and easy for all businesses," said Ken Hunt, product marketing
manager for HP's Roseville (Calif.) Networks Division. "Its lower price
reflects HP's continuing strategy of offering more for less. Now, even
businesses without the technical expertise of larger companies can easily
install and manage any printer on their network."

Feature Highlights

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

 high data throughput (200KB/s);

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

 one high-speed HP Bi-Tronics port (IEEE 1284 compliant);

 1MB EPROM technology for easy Flash image upgrades;

 powerful HP JetAdmin print-management software; and

 automatic reset after network failure.

Easy Installation and Operation

The JetDirect EX Plus print server is available for Ethernet networks and
supports more than 13 network operating systems, including Windows 95,
Windows NT, Windows for Workgroups, OS/2 LAN Server, AppleTalk, IBM AIX,
SCO UNIX and lpd for UNIX.

The unit's automatic multiprotocol switching capability provides seamless
printing of any document, regardless of the document's system origin. True
multiprotocol support allows the JetDirect EX Plus print server to
function in virtually any major networking environment. Other print
servers, however, may need Novell NetWare or other network operating
systems to function.

The JetDirect EX Plus print server also comes equipped with a 1MB Flash
EPROM. Users can easily download Flash images into the server's EPROM for
future upgrading. If multiple print servers are being used across the
network, a broadcast download can upgrade all printers in one operation.

Easy Management

The JetDirect EX Plus print server comes with the latest version of HP
JetAdmin software, which makes it easy for LAN administrators to
configure, monitor and manage all JetDirect-connected printers from their
desktops. HP has worked closely with Microsoft, IBM and others to
incorporate HP JetAdmin software functionality directly into operating
systems such as Windows 95 and IBM LAN Server.

JetAdmin software makes tasks such as loading and distributing printer
drivers or configuring new printers quick and simple. It also provides
network administrators with the ability to monitor individual printer
status as well as troubleshoot and diagnose printer problems directly from
their desktops. Two status LED indicators and a test-print button on the
JetDirect EX Plus also help to simplify troubleshooting.

No. 1 In Performance

The JetDirect EX Plus print server outperforms all other competitive
products on the market today. With a throughput of 200KB/s (sustained
data-transfer rate), the JetDirect EX Plus print server is 2 times to 10
times faster than other leading print servers in its class (testing
conducted by NSTL Labs and HP). This increased performance ensures that
the JetDirect EX Plus print server won't be the bottleneck when printing
even the most complex jobs.

U.S. Prices and Availability

The JetDirect EX Plus print server is $349 and is currently available
through HP-authorized resellers. The unit comes with an industry-leading
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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