3Com Corporation Unveils Advanced WAN Switch, Cost-Effectively Integrating Virtual Private Networks, Voice, Fax and Routing On a Single Platform.

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 10, 1999--

), voice/data convergence and multi-protocol ro managed network service providers who can deplo network types simultaneously. The system delivlatform," said Frank Fuller, business line manager, 3Com's Network Systems Business Unit. "Customers may not need every aspect of the solution on day one but it is a wise business decision to install a system designed to upgrade easily as requirements expand."

Flexible Solution Precisely Meets the Needs of Remote Sites

3Com's new PathBuilder S400 WAN convergence switch delivers complete connectivity flexibility to both enterprise customers and service providers who are looking to converge voice and data on their networks. The flexibility includes support for all major WAN interfaces. In addition, the S400 switch has exceptional scalability, supporting up to 12 analog voice ports and T1/E1 digital voice connectivity. For service providers, the platform offers an optional integrated V.90 service modem for simplified platform remote management.

Profile of an Enterprise Location

The PathBuilder S400 switch is ideally suited for sites with T1 or multi-T1 bandwidth requirements. Sites that run significant inter-office voice traffic and fax services will find the cost saving especially compelling.

Virtual Private Networks

-- The PathBuilder S400 WAN convergence switch supports 256 simultaneous site-to-site and client-to-site, secure IP tunnels using standards-based tunneling technology.

-- The switch supports the two key VPN clients, Microsoft Windows PPTP client and 3Com's Dynamic Access(R) VPN client (IPSec).

-- Built-in 3Com(R) application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) for hardware-based encryption give customers the scalability to support wire-speed T1/E1 and multi-T1 bandwidth at both Data Encryption Standard (DES) and 3DES encryption levels.

-- The switch offers a host of security capabilities, including an ICSA-certified firewall to protect a location from outside attack.

-- Just like 3Com's other VPN and routing platforms, the PathBuilder S400 switch runs 3Com's enterprise WAN software, ensuring full standards-based interoperability and simplifying administration.

Voice Convergence

-- The PathBuilder S400 switch provides scalable voice connectivity for up to 12 analog phones, fax machines and digital/analog PBX systems.

-- Tality.

-- The PathBuilder S400 switch is fully interoperable with both models of the PathBuilder S200 voice access switch, which supports standards-based VoIP.

-- The PathBuilder S400 switch provides WAN connections for a small enterprise that deploys LAN telephony with the 3Com NBX(R) 100 Communications System.

-- The PathBuilder S400 switch complements 3Com's ATM WAN convergence solutions: PathBuilder S3x0, S600, and S700 WAN switch, which consolidate voice, data, and video traffic onto one or multiple T1 lines for more efficient use of bandwidth.

Multi-protocol Routing/Policy Switching

-- The PathBuilder S400 switch supports 3Com's proven multi-protocol routing suite. Besides support for legacy protocols, the PathBuilder S400 also enables policy switching, which is the ability to switch traffic out over Frame Relay, VPNs or T1 lines based on the traffic type. Policy switching allows network managers to decide the quality of service and cost of that service by traffic type. The platform also supports video transmissions via advanced IP protocols, such as Multicast IP routing.

-- Working in many of the world's largest OSPF networks today, 3Com's NETBuilder(R) family of routers complement the PathBuilder S400 switch, which runs the same routing code that the NETBuilder routers do.

Pricing and Availability

The price of the PathBuilder S400 solution ranges from U.S. $3,500 to $8,000. The product will be available in Q3 CY99.

About 3Com Corporation

With more than 200 million customers worldwide, 3Com Corporation connects more people to information in more ways than any other networking company. 3Com delivers innovative information access products and network system solutions to large, medium and small enterprises; carriers and network service providers; PC OEMs; and consumers. 3Com -- More connected.(TM) For further information, visit 3Com's press site at www.3com.com/pressbox.

3Com, DynamicAccess and NETBuilder are registered trademarks and PathBuilder and More connected. are trademarks of 3Com Corporation. All other company and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.