The HP Procurve 4108gl is a highly available and scalable Layer 2 switch for medium or large networks. The package we received bundled a hot-swappable eight-slot chassis, a 36.6-Gbps fabric, three 24-port 10/100 modules (72 ports total), one three-port transceiver module, dual flash images, and one power supply. We recommend purchasing the optional redundant power supply for maximum uptime. For added scalability, six-port gigabit modules are also available.

The 4108gl can be managed via Web, telnet, console, SNMP, RMON, or the included HP Toptools software. The menu option in the console allows for easier management than the standard command line interface. All the features present in the console can also be found in the well-designed browser interface; they include trunking, network monitoring, flow control, spanning tree protocol, port configuration, fault detection, VLAN tagging, and more.

The ergonomics of the 4108gl allow visibility and access to everything from the front panel. Only the power cords reside in the rear. For critical visual information, LEDs report self-test, port, power supply, fan, and module status. With both of the models reviewed in this story, HP includes free services that other companies charge for: a lifetime warranty, Web and phone support, and software updates.