Compaq Computer Corp claims it will become the second largest network hub and interface card vendor by the end of 1997, having launched its network business only last year. At the UK’s Networks 97 show, most of the vendors were showing off gigabit speed networking technologies. Compaq launched its new range of Ethernet Hubs to enable migration from 10base-T Ethernet to 100base-T Fast Ethernet, with the Netelligent managed 2824 and 2724 hubs. Compaq claims that auto-sensing ports enable either Ethernet or Fast Ethernet to be plugged into the hub, without affecting the overall hub performance, and without affecting network management. The 2824 ships at $3,300 in September. Compaq is to reduce the price of existing networking products by up to 40%.
