3Com Selects Gadzoox Networks as Strategic Ally for New Storage Area Network -- SAN -- Initiative.

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 4, 1998--

Companies Form Comprehensive Alliance Aimed at Accelerating the

Development of the SAN Market

Gadzoox Networks, Inc., the forerunner in SAN (storage area networking) technology, and 3Com Corporation (Nasdaq:COMS) a global networking solutions provider announced today a multifaceted agreement that includes an equity investment in Gadzoox, a seat on Gadzoox' Board of Directors and the joint development of advanced products, technologies and architecture for SANs.

The relationship is targeted at expediting the development of the emerging SAN market segment and guiding its expansive growth towards mainstream deployment.

"As a worldwide leader in networking, 3Com has demonstrated the leadership and commitment necessary to transform the SAN market from its emerging stages into a broad-based networking market," said Gadzoox' president and CEO, Bill Sickler. "As market leaders that share a common vision, the relationship between Gadzoox and 3Com marks a turning point that promises to advance the SAN market as a whole."

Based on open standard Fibre Channel technology, SANs create a network "behind the server" dedicated to the interconnection of enterprise servers and storage subsystems. By providing a flexible networked storage environment, SANs provide increased data availability, storage scalability, and system performance at a lower total cost of ownership than alternative approaches.

"With nearly twenty years of experience in open, standards-based networking, 3Com has a proven record of leading the development of new markets," said Doug Spreng, senior vice president of 3Com's Client Access Business Unit. "Our Storage Area Networking market entry and the deployment of the Fibre Channel technology represents an opportunity for us to extend our networking expertise to drive the development of a mainstream, enterprise market for SAN infrastructure products."

Gadzoox, the leading market innovator that coined the term "storage area network," has continually demonstrated its technological leadership through a number of ground breaking accomplishments. These industry first product achievements include: -0-

--   Bitstrip(TM) -- gigabit Fibre Channel hub, Gibraltar(TM)--
     managed Fibre Channel hub;
--   Ventana(TM) -- SAN management software application.

-0-

Hardware and software products resulting from the joint development activities are expected to be available in 1999.

Gadzoox' recent round of funding totaled $26 million and included global networking leader 3Com and Fibre Channel storage leader Seagate Technology. These investments strategically position Gadzoox as the only SAN developer with leaders in both the storage and networking market segments. 3Com's Doug Spreng will join the Gadzoox' Board of Directors as will Steve Luczo, Seagate president and CEO.

About Gadzoox

Gadzoox Networks, Inc. is the global leader in SAN (storage area network) products. The company brings innovative networking solutions to storage with highly scaleable, managed SAN solutions based on Gadzoox' full range of Fibre Channel hubs, switches and management products.

Gadzoox' product strategy fully supports building the enterprise SAN architecture in a modular fashion while providing maximum investment protection for the existing infrastructure. Headquartered in San Jose, Calif., Gadzoox is privately held. For more information, visit the company's web site at http://www.gadzoox.com or call 888/423-3222.

About 3Com

3Com Corporation enables individuals and organizations worldwide to communicate and share information and resources at anytime from anywhere. As one of the world's preeminent suppliers of data, voice and video communications technology, 3Com has delivered networking solutions to more than 200 million customers worldwide. The company provides large enterprises, small and medium enterprises, carriers and network service providers, and consumers with comprehensive, innovative information access products and system solutions for building intelligent, reliable and high performance local and wide area networks.

Note to Editors: Gadzoox is a registered trademark of Gadzoox Networks, Inc. Bitstrip, Gibraltar and Ventana are trademarks of Gadzoox Networks, Inc. 3Com is a registered trademark of 3Com Corporation. All other product and company names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.

This release contains forward-looking statements relating to strategic relationships addressing the storage area networking market. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and entail various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the ability of the companies mentioned to successfully develop and market SAN solutions. The companies undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date thereof.