Using ProCurve Networking by HP technologies, BeeIT recently updated integrated the patchwork networks supporting three of its most significant newspapers in California. Building upon the ProCurve Adaptive EDGE Architecture™ and utilizing an assortment of advanced ProCurve switches and network management software, the company has realized improved infrastructure performance, reliability, interoperability and administration.

In January 2003, BeeIT embarked on an extensive project to update and integrate the IT infrastructures for its California newspapers, including The Sacramento Bee, The Modesto Bee, The Fresno Bee, The Merced Sun-Star and five non-dailies in the Central Valley. Each possessed dissimilar, patchwork networks run by separate IT organizations, and the company recognized an amalgamated, advanced infrastructure administered by a single IT organization would improve business efficiency reduce costs.

In addition to seamless integration capabilities, BeeIT wanted better performance, reliability and manageability from its technology infrastructure. The company first standardized and updated its network at the offices of The Modesto Bee, building upon the ProCurve Adaptive EDGE Architecture, which pushes intelligence to the edge of the network for utmost control, security and functionality at the periphery. ProCurve Switch 5308xl was deployed in the site's data center, providing power, flexibility and high port density to fuel the The Modesto Bee's network. ProCurve Switch 2650 and ProCurve Switch 2848 were implemented in the data closets.

"We were able to replace every switch in a single evening without disrupting newspaper operations," said Tim Connors, the IT Infrastructure Manager, BeeIT. "It was a remarkably smooth transition."

Connors indicated the next project was a complete overhaul of the newly acquired The Merced Sun-Star's network. "It was a mess," he noted. "There were switches hanging on walls and no safety measures whatsoever. ProCurve equipment provides exceptional security capabilities, and we wanted to lock down the Merced Sun-Star network as soon as possible."

The company modeled the The Merced Sun-Star's new infrastructure after the Modesto Bee's deployment, implementing a ProCurve Switch 5304xl at the core and ProCurve 2824 switches at the network edge. Without an on-site IT staff in Merced, BeeIT is now able to manage the The Merced Sun-Star network remotely from the Modesto offices using ProCurve Manager network administration software, which is included with all managed ProCurve devices.

"ProCurve Manager is an intuitive tool with a straightforward interface," mentioned Connors. "Switch configuration and overall network administration have been much easier compared to the Cisco equipment we were previously using. We now have the time and flexibility to focus more on business enhancements than technology facilitation."

After successful network implementations in Modesto and Merced, BeeIT decided to update its sizeable network in Sacramento, which supports the The Sacramento Bee. The Sacramento data center now features a ProCurve Routing Switch 9304m and several ProCurve 5308xl switches. The Routing Switch 9304m delivers ultra high performance, intelligent, multi-layer switching to minimize network congestion and ensure utmost reliability.

Each of the Sacramento data closets hosts a number of ProCurve Switch 5304xl and ProCurve Switch 2824. BeeIT is also utilizing several ProCurve 3400cl switches with 10-gigabit performance for bandwidth intensive operations and ProCurve Secure Router 7000dl series for smaller, remote editorial offices. In concert, the new routers and switches in Sacramento segment and facilitate departmental virtual local area networks (VLANs), which help isolate traffic and improve both network security and management, according to Connors.

BeeIT has been very pleased with its new ProCurve infrastructure and will soon upgrade the networks at its offices in Fresno and California's Central Valley. As it stands, the company is enjoying the excellent performance and reliability inherent in ProCurve devices.

"Since we standardized on the ProCurve switches, all of the bottlenecks and bandwidth issues we faced with our former networks have been eliminated," said Connors.

Connors mentioned the adaptive and standards-based nature of ProCurve technologies will enable enhancements to the company's infrastructure over time, supporting plans to implement 802.1x authentication and identity-driven features for even better security and management.

"ProCurve devices secure users at the edge of the network, before they have been routed to the core. And ProCurve continues to develop advanced features, such as virus throttling, that will ensure our network is always able to recognize threats and make decisions before it's too late," he noted.

• BeeIT's new ProCurve network has delivered enhanced performance, reliability and flexibility, reducing downtime and enabling a renewed focus on business enhancements
• Since ProCurve solutions are interoperable with third party technologies and built on open industry standards, BeeIT was able to fully integrate its infrastructure and can now administer various sites remotely, eliminating the need for additional IT resources and reducing costs
• With reduced complexity and an intuitive interface, ProCurve Manager software has helped BeeIT simplify switch configuration and improve network administration

The ProCurve Networking business unit of HP is a supplier of enterprise networking solutions comprising wired and wireless networking products, services and solutions—including WAN routers, Ethernet switches, routing switches, wireless access points and network management applications—which allow customers to build networks based on open standards that meet current and future needs for security, performance and reliability.

The ProCurve Networking Adaptive EDGE Architecture is a unique design strategy that creates a secure, mobile, multi-service network by placing intelligence at the edge-where users connect and policies are enforced. This innovative approach creates a dynamic network infrastructure designed to keep up with advancing technology and user needs while protecting business investments.

When you are ready to explore the benefits a ProCurve Networking solution can offer you, call HP at 1-800-975-7682.

To learn more about ProCurve Networking's Adaptive EDGE Architecture™ solutions, visit our home page.

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