HP brought its ProCurve networking arm into the data center fray by unveiling the first ProCurve switches optimized for data center duty. The company also rolled out a server module for existing switches that allows users to begin integrating and consolidating switching and application processing.

Cisco, meanwhile, laid the groundwork for an imminent blade server launch with additions to the Nexus switching line and enhancements to its Catalyst products, including software designed to allow the switches to control the energy consumption of attached devices. Cisco is expected to launch its "" blade server mid-year, and the switching upgrades are designed to help support that effort.

HP's ProCurve launch is also in anticipation of the Cisco blade server, which will encroach on HP's longtime data center territory. So HP's new switches are viewed as a pre-emptive strike into the heart of Cisco's data center stronghold.

"This is clearly a demonstration of HP really taking ProCurve in the enterprise and leveraging other HP strengths," says Jon Oltsik, an analyst at Enterprise Strategy Group. "HP's certainly in the data center business and for the first time ever they're talking about handling all communications, too. HP is looking at where it can succeed in the enterprise networking market and picking its battles strategically."

Its weapons for this battle include a new switch line optimized for top-of-rack data-center switching applications. The 6600 line includes five Gigabit and 10 Gigabit Ethernet , all in 1RU form factors but in a variety of configurations.