| General |
| Q1. |
What is ProLiant Essentials Intelligent Networking Pack (INP)? |
| A1. |
The HP ProLiant Essentials Intelligent Networking Pack (INP) is part of the ProLiant Essentials software family and is integrated with HP Systems Insight Manager, SmartStart, Rapid Deployment Pack (RDP), and HP Management agents. It resides at server nodes and is aware of the network infrastructure beyond the first tier of switches so that it can improve server availability and network performance by proactively adapting to network infrastructure problems. As part of the HP networking software, INP needs no additional or specialized hardware. It is included with the networking software that currently ships with all ProLiant servers and NIC option kits and is activated with a licensing key and can be installed with HP Systems Insight Manager. INP, besides keeping the network reliable, can block the spread of virus before it spreads to the entire network.
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| Q2. |
How does INP integrate with HP Systems Insight Manager (HP SIM)? |
| A2. |
The new features of INP will be fully integrated with HP SIM in SIM 4.2 and SmartStart 7.2. Virus Throttle feature will be integrated in HP SIM 4.x and SmartStart 7.x
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| Q3. |
Why should I purchase INP? |
| A3. |
If you are experiencing network outages and have a need to operate 24×7 or have a need to get more throughput out of your Gigabit network, then this product can help you.
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| Q4. |
What support and warranty services are available for INP? |
| A4. |
The limited warranty for Intelligent Networking Pack includes a 90-day telephone for installation, setup and configuration support. Additional information is also available via the web. For phone support, contact Technical support at 1-800-282-6672. View additional information regarding worldwide limited warranty and technical support.
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| Q5. |
Does INP support older models of the ProLiant servers? |
| A5. |
INP supports DL, ML, and BL ProLiant servers. Any servers prior to these servers, such as the PL1600, PL1850R, etc. are not supported.
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| Virus throttle |
| Q1. |
What does virus throttle do (VT)? |
| A1. |
The virus throttle feature that is part of the ProLiant Essentials Intelligent Networking Pack detects abnormal behavior in outbound connection requests and slow down excessive traffic until a human response can determine if it is viral in nature in order to prevent a rapid spread of new malicious code across an enterprise network.
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| Q2. |
How does virus throttle work? |
| A2. |
Virus throttle (VT) is a network packet filtering technology that monitors outbound connection requests and counts the number of unique (new) hosts that are connected to. If the new outbound requests exceed a threshold of unique hosts within a specified timeframe an alert will be generated and the outbound request will be placed into a queue for a delayed send.
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| Q3. |
Does virus throttle create a degradation of service for the network connection on the servers? |
| A3. |
VT should not adversely degrade network service to the server. There may be some imperceptible changes to response times, but these should be minimal in nature.
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| Q4. |
Will normal traffic such as file downloads on http, ftp or file servers be affected? |
| A4. |
VT should not affect traffic that is initiated by incoming connection requests such as file transfers. VT is only designed to monitor the outbound connection requests which would not normally be seen on such servers.
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| Q5. |
When an alert is generated, does the SIM console receive the alert? |
| A5. |
Yes, through SNMP, a message is sent to the SIM console.
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| Licensing |
| Q1. |
How is INP licensed? How can I get an evaluation license for INP? |
| A1. |
For each server, a separate license must be purchased. These can be purchased individually or in "flexible license packs."
The license is delivered in the form of a unique key that is entered in the INP license administration screen. Flexible license packs provide a single license key to enter, in order to activate the number of licenses ordered.
Licenses are subsequently "attached" to the servers to be monitored. Once a license is attached to a server it cannot be revoked; it will stay with that server for the life of the server. The license is attached to the server serial number, so a change in server's name or IP address will not jeopardize the license.
You can contact your sales or channel representative for an evaluation license. |
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| Q2. |
I had purchased INP prior to HP releasing the virus throttle software, does my license include VT? |
| A2. |
Yes, your license applies to the use of the virus throttle software. To get the latest release of networking software that includes virus throttle, please go to the networking software and drivers website at http://h18004.www1.hp.com/support/files/networking/us/index.html. Version 7.85 and after will include virus throttle.
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| Q3. |
Can INP licenses float from one server to the next? |
| A3. |
No, INP licenses, once used, are locked to a particular server. If that server is retired the INP license is also retired.
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| Q4. |
How do I purchase additional licenses and do I need to reinstall the product? |
| A4. |
Additional licenses can be purchased just like system options. You can purchase either single-server licenses or "flexible license packs." There is no need to reinstall the product. Additional licenses can be added to a previously installed INP at any time.
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| Q5. |
How can I get a site license for INP? |
| A5. |
Contact your sales or channel representative. They can arrange for flexible licensing to suit your needs.
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| System requirements |
| Q1. |
Which operating systems are supported? |
| A1. |
The following operating systems are supported on the monitored server:
- Microsoft Windows 2003, Web Edition
- Microsoft Windows 2003, Standard Edition
- Microsoft Windows 2003, Enterprise Edition
- Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003
- Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
- Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
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| Q2. |
Do I need Systems Insight Manager agents installed on the monitored servers or network to run INP? |
| A2. |
No, you do not need Systems Insight Manager agents installed to run INP; however you will not be able to use the capability of SIM to monitor the server. INP is not dependent on SIM to run or manage the network teaming configuration.
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| Q3. |
Do I need to run a client to manage the environment? |
| A3. |
No, you do not need to run a client to manage the environment. Managing the network can be done via the server that INP is installed on.
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| Q4. |
Are there any special hardware requirements for installing INP? |
| A4. |
The only hardware requirement is that the software be installed on an HP branded x86 server and on an HP branded NICs.
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| Technical |
| Q1. |
What routers and switches are supported by INP? |
| A1. |
We have tested this product with many network switch and router manufacturers including Cisco, HP, Extreme, so we expect it to work with any of these devices. INP is based on industry standard technology, so we do not expect any incompatibilities.
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| Q2. |
What H/W systems does INP monitor? |
| A2. |
INP monitors the switches and routers in a network infrastructure.
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| Q3. |
Why doesn't INP support more than Windows? |
| A3. |
Because of customer requirements, we thought it important to provide Windows support first. Linux support is being investigated. At this time, it offers most of the same OS support as other members of the ProLiant Essentials family.
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| Q4. |
When will 64-bit support on Windows be available? |
| A4. |
Support of 64-bit Windows will be available during the first half of CY2005.
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| Q5. |
Can INP run on Opteron and Nocona based ProLiant servers? |
| A5. |
This software is not supported on Opteron and Nocona servers running 64-bit Windows operating systems until the first half of CY2005. However, it will run on 32-bit Windows OSs that are supported on these servers.
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