3Com Delivers On the Next Step of Its Strategy for Innovative, High-Performance Enterprise Lan Core Solutions.

Business/Technology Editors

NetWorld+Interop 2002 Las Vegas 

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 6, 2002

3Com Launches New XRN(TM)Technology-Ready LAN Core Switch and

Announces Plans for Providing 10 Gigabit Ethernet to Enterprise

Customers

3Com Corporation (Nasdaq: COMS) today revealed more details on its new alternative way to build LAN (local area network) cores by announcing the XRN(TM) (eXpandable Resilient Networking) Interconnect Kit, which will be shown May 7-9 at Networld+Interop in Las Vegas. 3Com also starts shipping the new Switch 4060, which will be the first new LAN core product to support XRN technology when the Interconnect Kit ships later this year. In addition, 3Com announced its plans for 10 Gigabit Ethernet, extending the performance bandwidth of 3Com's networking solutions in order to meet enterprise customers' future networking requirements.

"I am really excited about 3Com's approach to building LAN cores with XRN technology," said Ray Mota, Chief Research Officer, Synergy Research Group. "This unique combination of hardware and software hits a strategic bull's-eye and holds a lot of promise for 3Com as they continue their drive back into the enterprise core marketplace. The pay-as-you-grow approach is very appealing, especially to those enterprise IT managers looking for a cost-effective solution to building highly available core networks in today's tight spending environment."

"In March, we said what we were going to do, giving our customers, partners and other stakeholders a long-term view of where we are advancing networking. Today, 3Com is delivering the next elements of its announcement of XRN technology two months ago," said John McClelland, president, 3Com's Business Networks Company. "The extremely positive response to the introduction of XRN technology shows that the market is ready for an innovative solution that takes into account the economic realities and leverages expertise in combining sophistication and ease of use."

Unique XRN Interconnect Kit Unleashes XRN Technology Inside Switches

3Com's XRN Interconnect Kit, which can be deployed with the 3Com(R) Switch 4060 and SuperStack(R) 3 Switch 4900 family, consists of XRN software, modules and cabling. This kit will enable network managers to "interconnect" the switches, using 3Com's own technology that uniquely allows for the group of switches to behave as a single Layer 3 switched distributed fabric, thus delivering a scalable, high-performance and highly available LAN core. Designed to be easy to use and to manage, the XRN Interconnect Kit will be available later this year and allows enterprises a choice in how they build their LAN core. 3Com is rolling out this ground-breaking set of XRN solutions in three phases for enterprise customers. Today's announcement is focused on Phase 1.

Delivery of New LAN Core Switch Is Proof Point for 3Com's Enterprise Strategy

The first new LAN core switch that will connect the components of the XRN Interconnect Kit is the Switch 4060, which starts shipping worldwide this week. The Switch 4060 is a high-performance, wirespeed, Layer 3 Gigabit Ethernet switch with 24 ports. The Switch 4060 includes "hot swappable" fan and power supply capabilities for enhanced uptime. The XRN Interconnect Kit will also be compatible with the SuperStack 3 Switch 4900 family, ensuring that investment in these industry-leading, high-performance Gigabit Ethernet switches is protected.

10 Gigabit Ethernet Opens New Possibilities for the Future

3Com formally announced today that it is developing a 10 Gigabit Ethernet LAN switch and uplink module for enterprise LANs. As part of its long-term enterprise strategy, 3Com intends to ship a range of 10 Gigabit Ethernet products in 2003 that will meet the requirements of enterprise customers, bringing to the solutions the rich features, ease of use and affordability that have distinguished 3Com with its Gigabit Ethernet products. 3Com is an active member of the 10 Gigabit Ethernet Alliance and is developing products that are in accordance with the industry standard specifications. 3Com intends to extend the benefits of the pay-as-you-grow approach to enterprises that need to transition up to 10 Gigabit over time, allowing managers to effectively manage costs for significantly more speed and bandwidth on the network.

Pricing and Availability

The Switch 4060 is priced at $17,995 (U.S. list) and starts shipping worldwide this week. It is expected that the XRN Interconnect Kit will be priced at $9,995 (U.S. list) for the distributed fabric capability and is expected to ship in Q4 CY 2002. More details about 3Com's upcoming 10 Gigabit Ethernet products will be announced in the future.

To read more about 3Com's LAN core solutions and new XRN technology, visit 3Com's Web site at www.3com.com.

About 3Com Corporation

3Com is a global leader in functionally-rich, easy-to-use networking products that connect businesses to their employees, customers and suppliers anytime, anywhere. 3Com is also a leader in Internet protocol (IP) service platforms and access infrastructure for the network service provider market. In 1979, the company was founded by one of the inventors of Ethernet technology on which virtually all local area networks are based. Since then, 3Com has sold more than 360,000,000 Ethernet connections. 3Com has headquarters in Santa Clara, California and offices around the world. For further information, please visit www.3com.com, or the press site www.3com.com/pressbox.

3Com, the 3Com logo and SuperStack are registered trademarks and XRN is a trademark of 3Com Corporation. All other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective holders.