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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteHewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) announced on May 15, 2018, that it had agreed to acquire Plexxi, a Nashua, New Hampshire–based software-defined networking (SDN) startup. HPE said it would combine Plexxi’s data-center network fabric with its SimpliVity hyperconverged infrastructure and Synergy composable infrastructure. The deal’s financial terms were not disclosed.
What HPE announced
Plexxi built a software-defined network fabric intended to automate data-center networking. Contemporary coverage described the platform as able to create or rebalance bandwidth around workload requirements instead of relying solely on manually configured, static network paths.
HPE’s acquisition plan connected that capability to two infrastructure lines: SimpliVity and Synergy. The strategy was aimed at private-, public- and hybrid-cloud environments, where application demand can change quickly and networking must follow compute and storage resources.
Why Plexxi mattered to HPE’s infrastructure strategy
Network behavior tied to workloads
Traditional data-center networks often require administrators to provision capacity and adjust paths separately from server and storage operations. Plexxi’s fabric was presented as a way to automate those changes and align bandwidth with workload needs.
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- PLUG-AND-PLAY GIGABIT MANAGED SWITCH: 8 x 1Gbps auto-negotiating ports work the moment you plug in — full-gigabit speed over Cat5e/Cat6 cabling.
- MANAGED, WITHOUT THE COMPLEXITY: Easy Smart web GUI on Windows, Mac or Linux — no app or Windows-only utility, unlike many competing switches.
- SEGMENT & PRIORITIZE TRAFFIC: Up to 64 VLANs, QoS, IGMP snooping and port mirroring keep voice, video and data fast, secure and organized.
- BUILT-IN PROTECTION: Auto DoS prevention, loop detection, broadcast storm control and cable test keep your network stable and easy to troubleshoot.
- RELIABLE 24/7 BACKBONE: Rugged fanless metal housing runs cool and silent at 0 dBA — the managed switch trusted in homes, offices and small business.
Ric Lewis, then HPE’s senior vice president and general manager of the software-defined and cloud group, described Plexxi as a “next-generation data network fabric that can create or re-balance bandwidth to workload needs.”
Integration with hyperconverged and composable systems
| HPE platform | Role in the announced integration |
|---|---|
| SimpliVity | HPE’s hyperconverged infrastructure platform, combining compute, storage and management in an integrated system. |
| Synergy | HPE’s composable infrastructure platform, designed to pool and program hardware resources for different workloads. |
The intended benefit was a closer relationship between infrastructure provisioning and network configuration: when workloads or resource profiles changed, the network fabric could be managed as part of the same operational model.
Rank #2
- GIGABIT ETHERNET PORTS: Features 5 x 1.0Gbps Ethernet ports for high-speed connectivity. Auto-negotiating ports detect the optimal speed for connected devices and work with existing Cat5e or Cat6 Ethernet cables.
- EASY SMART MANAGED NETWORK SWITCH: Intuitive software interface offers Easy Smart Managed Essentials capabilities to configure VLANs, prioritize traffic with QoS, monitor ports, and manage network security for small businesses.
- FLEXIBLE MOUNTING OPTIONS: Compact metal design supports desktop or wall-mount placement for versatile installation.
- SILENT & ENERGY-EFFICIENT OPERATION: Fanless design ensures silent performance, while IEEE 802.3az Energy Efficient Ethernet reduces power consumption without compromising high-speed network performance.
- REGIONAL COMPATIBILITY: Made for use in U.S. & CA only
Deal terms and expected timing
- Announcement: May 15, 2018.
- Buyer: Hewlett Packard Enterprise.
- Target: Plexxi, a data-center SDN startup based in Nashua, New Hampshire.
- Financial terms: Not disclosed in contemporaneous reporting.
- Expected closing: HPE said it expected the transaction to close in fiscal third quarter, which ended July 31, 2018. That was the forecast given when the acquisition was announced, not a separately confirmed closing date.
What happened after the announcement
At HPE’s 2019 annual meeting, the company said Plexxi had been incorporated into the composable fabric of SimpliVity. That statement confirms a later product integration, but it does not establish the complete lifecycle of every Plexxi offering.
The available company statement does not show whether Plexxi-branded hardware remained on sale, how each planned Synergy integration progressed, or what products and support arrangements may exist today. Those details should not be inferred from the original acquisition announcement.
Rank #3
- 8 Gigabit Ethernet Ports: Expand your network with 8 high-speed ethernet ports for enhanced connectivity and performance
- Easy Smart Management: Manage and configure your network effortlessly via a web interface or free software
- Support VLAN: Segment traffic with up to 32 VLANs simultaneously out of 4K VLAN IDs for better security
- Network Monitoring: Monitor your network effectively with port mirroring, loop prevention, and cable diagnostics
- IGMP Snooping: Enhances multicast application performance for improved network efficiency
What the acquisition meant for data-center SDN
SDN became part of an infrastructure platform decision
HPE was not presenting Plexxi as an isolated networking purchase. The rationale was to embed programmable networking in broader infrastructure systems, so customers could manage compute, storage and network capacity together.
Automation was the central value proposition
The transaction highlighted automation rather than a simple increase in port speed or hardware capacity. Plexxi’s described ability to create or rebalance bandwidth according to workload demand addressed the operational problem of keeping network resources aligned with changing applications.
Rank #4
- 24-Gigabit ports provide instant large file transfers
- 9K Jumbo frame improves performance of large data transfers
- Effective network monitoring via Port Mirroring, Loop Prevention and Cable Diagnostics
- Abundant VLAN features improve network security via traffic segmentation
- IGMP Snooping optimizes multicast applications
The announcement did not prove a complete product transition
An acquisition announcement identifies intent. The later 2019 reference confirms incorporation into SimpliVity’s composable fabric, but it is not evidence that every proposed feature, product line or Synergy integration reached the market in the form originally envisioned.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 16 10/100/1000Mbps RJ45 Ports
- Plug and play, with No configuration required
- Durable metal casing of superior quality and Professional appearance
- Intelligent management via a web user interface and downloadable Utility
- Green technology reduces power consumption
Key takeaways
- HPE announced the Plexxi acquisition on May 15, 2018.
- Plexxi supplied data-center SDN fabric technology focused on automated, workload-aware networking.
- HPE planned to integrate that technology with SimpliVity hyperconverged infrastructure and Synergy composable infrastructure.
- The purchase price was not disclosed, and the July 31, 2018 closing date was an expectation reported at announcement time.
- HPE later said Plexxi had been incorporated into SimpliVity’s composable fabric.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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