3Com Spearheads Market for Virtual Private Networks With the Industry's Broadest Array of Secure Access VPN Systems.

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 6, 1997--

Outlines Road Map for Delivering Standards-Based,

Cost-Saving VPN Systems; Unveils Patent-Pending Advanced

VPN Tunnel Switching Architecture

Fully capitalizing on the technological and market-share strength of the recently-merged 3Com and US Robotics companies, 3Com Corporation (Nasdaq: COMS) today demonstrated it now provides enterprises, network service providers (NSPs) and carriers with the industry's broadest selection of scalable virtual private network (VPN) systems. 3Com(R) also unveiled its road map for five complete 3Access VPN Systems based on 3Com products available now and those scheduled for availability through 1998.

VPN systems are the foundation for next-generation wide area and remote access corporate networks, enabling businesses to purchase cost-effective, secure public network-based alternatives to today's conventional and more expensive dedicated leased-line and dial-up networks. 3Com VPNs can reduce end-user telecommunications costs by as much as 50 percent and offers users and providers a full return on equipment investment in a matter of months.

These VPN systems are comprised of 3Com TranscendWare(TM) software and multiple 3Com network hardware products for deployment by end-users, carriers and network service providers and include 3Com's new 3Access VPN Tunnel Switching architecture. Tunnel Switching enables enterprises to seamlessly integrate large scale Internet-based remote access VPNs with their existing network without compromising industrial strength Internet access security such as corporate firewalls. 3Com's Tunnel Switching Architecture is unique in addressing this key security issue. Tunnel Switching also enables enterprises to provide transparent access to services on VLANs that would otherwise be unavailable.

Expands Provider-Based Services, Gives End-Users More Choice

3Com's innovative 3Access VPN systems solutions give network service providers the opportunity to expand geographic reach, lower capital costs, and offer the most flexible choice of VPN services to their corporate customers. These services, based on 3Com systems deployed in both providers' and customers' locations, enable corporate network managers to provide their companies with sophisticated remote access and wide area networks at less cost and still meet their stringent network control requirements.

By embedding 3Com's TranscendWare networking software into all its VPN solutions, 3Com has ensured that customers can leverage next-generation management technologies for deploying and enforcing network policies throughout their organization, including consistent policies across VPN links and remote locations.

3Com's VPN roadmap includes the following VPN systems, with corresponding delivery dates:

- Wholesale Access Service - lets NSPs expand geographic reach by leasing access ports from a 3rd party (available now);

- Remote Access Outsourcing lets enterprises cut capital costs and focus on core business objectives by contracting remote access services from network service providers (available now);

- Virtual Leased Lines - lets enterprises reduce communications and staffing costs for wide area networks by replacing dedicated lines with the Internet (scheduled availability in Q198);

- Distributed Remote Access lets enterprises reduce remote access toll charges by using local points of presence on their Enterprise WANs (scheduled availability in Q198);

- Internet Based Remote Access lets enterprises reduce capital costs and secure global access points by replacing dedicated dial ports with the Internet (scheduled availability in Q198).

These 3Com VPN solutions -- the first in a series to be announced -- are based on 3Com's TranscendWare software and 3Com hardware platforms, including: Total Control(TM) HiPer(TM) access systems, NETBuilder(R) II routers, SuperStack(R) II NETBuilder(R) routers, OfficeConnect(R) NETBuilder routers, 3ComImpact(TM) IQ ISDN terminal adapters, 3Com Courier(TM) x2(TM) modems, 3Access secure RADIUS servers, and 3Com EtherlinkR) III network interface cards.

NSP VPN Providers, Market Growing

3Com today also announced a new partnership with Southern New England Telephone which is now offering large-scale 3Com-based VPN services to business enterprises. (See separate press release issued today, "SNET Partners with 3Com to Offer Remote Network Access Services to Business Customers.") Based on these and other network service provider partnerships, 3Com has shipped more than 2.1 million VPN ready and VPN activated ports -- more than any other vendor.

"3Com's market share at the 'network edge' and in remote access underscores the fact that we understand customers' and providers' needs more than any other vendor," said Eric Benhamou, president and CEO, 3Com Corporation. "Our introduction of this broad array of VPN systems demonstrates both our ability to understand and deliver what users and providers want, and therefore to set the industry agenda in this growing marketplace."

Standards-based TranscendWare Software for Security and Network Management

Because VPNs can share unprotected public networks, security is a critical customer issue. 3Com offers a blend of standards-based security features such as tunneling, firewalls, encryption with key exchange and the associated management and policy controls to provide industrial-strength VPN security.

3Com's 3Access VPN architecture builds on the IPsec security standard. As the industry incorporates the IPsec and ISAKMP/Oakley IETF security standards into VPN products, carriers will continue to be able to enhance their service offerings, allowing the most secure VPN communications.

In addition, 3Com helps users manage VPNs with the company's TranscendWare policy management software. TranscendWare software allows edge devices to communicate with end devices to enforce network policies. By monitoring VPN tunnels, these devices can then better manage dial-up ports, bandwidth allocation, network load and destination, and return policy leases -- critical elements to control in a VPN environment.

Consequently, the TranscendWare software creates more responsive behavior from the VPN, allowing network managers to take control of VPN networking resources and use networking infrastructure in accordance with business policies.

About 3Com Corporation

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 100 million customers worldwide. With global reach and local touch, the company provides enterprises, network service providers and carriers, small businesses and consumers with comprehensive, innovative information access products and system solutions for building intelligent, reliable and high performance local and wide area networks. 3Com has worldwide revenues of more than $6.0 billion and employs approximately 13,200 people in 45 countries. For further information, visit 3Coms World Wide Web site at http://www.3com.com . -0-

3Com, EtherLink, NETBuilder, NETBuilder II, OfficeConnect and SuperStack are registered trademarks, and 3ComImpact, Courier, HiPer, Total Control, TranscendWare and x2 are trademarks of 3Com Corporation or its subsidiaries. All other trademarks are property of their respective holders.

CONTACT: 3Com Corp.

David Hayward, 508/264-1773

[e-mail]

or

The Weber Group

Eric Eddy, 415/463-8653

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