HP 9304M - Manual (Page 17)

HP ProCurve Routing Switch 9308M / 9304M Reviewer’s Guide
2.9 Reliability
Overall reliability of a product is determined not only by how much time between product failures, but
also how fast a failed unit can be repaired or replaced. HP offers a one year warranty, free basic-level
phone support during this time, and lifetime free software updates. Some details are provided in this
section.
2.9.1 Lifetime Software Updates (Best in the Industry)
Both the HP ProCurve Routing Switch 9304M and HP ProCurve Routing Switch 9308M come with
lifetime software updates. For as long as software updates are available for these routing switches they
can be downloaded from the HP web site for free. This includes not only bug fixes, but new software
capabilities as well. This is an industry-leading product feature.
2.9.2 Warranty - One Year
Warranties, and the ease of obtaining warranty service for the end user, is a product benefit that is
easily overlooked in a technical evaluation, but ranks high as a concern of end users as they get ready
to actually make a purchase decision. The HP ProCurve Routing Switch 9304M and HP ProCurve
Routing Switch 9308M have a one year warranty. If any part of the switch fails, including the power
supply or fans, it will be replaced. In most parts of the world, the replacement unit is sent for next
business day delivery in advance of the failing unit being returned to HP. Advance replacement gets the
unit to the end user as fast as possible and minimizes down time by allowing the impaired unit to
continue to be used if possible until the replacement unit arrives. This also allows for easy scheduling
for when the actual unit swap occurs on the network.
The 9304m / 9308M one year warranty for a routing switch is industry-leading, with most other vendors
offering 90 days.
Hewlett-Packard has support programs available to provide fee-based warranty-like service once the
routing switch is out of warranty. See the Support and Service section for more details.
2.9.3 Availability
Availability is the measure of the ability for the switch to remain running over a period of time with
minimal impact to the network environment.
Both the 9304M / 9308M allow hot-swapping of the port modules while the switch is still running
without affecting the other port modules. This allows a defective port module to be replaced without
affecting the rest of the network.
Optional redundant power supplies (identical to the primary supply(s)) can be installed. The 9304M
allows one extra power supply. The 9308M allows up to four supplies to be installed, with at least two
supplies at a minimum required. All power supplies load-share, allowing both supplies to run cooler,
extending their Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF) values. If any of the supplies in a chassis with
extra supplies (2 in the 9304M, 3 or 4 in the 9308M) does fail, the others continue to run preventing
switch interruption. Power supplies can be hot-swapped (unplug it first!) during switch operation when
extra supplies are present. Each supply has its own power cord.
The chassis fans are also hot-swappable.
2.9.4 Service and Support
HP provides free pre-sales and in-warranty post-sales installation and basic configuration telephone
support during normal business hours to end users and HP resellers through the HP Customer Care
Centers located world-wide.
In addition to free support services such as the warranty and telephone support, HP offers an extensive
range of fee-based support services to meet more specialized needs. With the likelihood of the routing
switches being installed at the core of the network, an on-site service upgrade is highly recommended.
©1999 Hewlett-Packard Company Revision 4.0 – 4/1/1999 Page: 17 of 27