3Com extends RMON functionality for Transcend Network Management across the network infrastructure; Provides free SmartAgent RMON for Ethernet hubs; Reduces the complexity of RMON.

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 14, 1995--3Com Corporation Tuesday announced it will augment its Transcend Enterprise Management architecture by expanding its remote monitoring technology (RMON) throughout 3Com's Ethernet product lines at no incremental cost to end users.

This cost-effective, efficient implementation of RMON lowers the cost of network management and reduces the complexity typically associated with RMON.

Transcend's tools reduce the complexity of using RMON by providing easy-to-use solutions to solve customer problems, diagnose and identify problems quickly under Windows, Novell and UNIX platforms, including OpenView, SunNet Manager and NetView for AIX.

3Com developed the technology from its leading Token Ring RMON, the first complete, effective implementation of RMON. 3Com is extending its RMON solutions throughout the network by implementing RMON in the form of SmartAgents -- intelligence that resides in managed devices -- in 3Com's stackable and chassis hub product lines. In addition, 3Com has embedded RMON functionality into Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) designed for 3Com's products. Transcend RMON is fully conformant to RFC1271 standards, and supports 3Com extensions such as AutoCalibrate and Action on Event to make RMON easier to use and provide proactive network management.

This added Ethernet RMON functionality is available at no charge to existing and new users of 3Com's LinkBuilder MSH chassis hubs and LinkBuilder FMS II Ethernet stackable hubs.

By implementing RMON directly into network devices and Transcend applications, network managers can monitor events occurring locally or place alarms or thresholds on any managed object. By integrating RMON in SmartAgents, users can take advantage of other SmartAgent features such as Action on Event, AutoCalibration and Remote Polling to reduce management costs. SmartAgent code downloads to Flash EPROMs allow remote RMON field upgrades for easy future proofing. Building RMON functionality into 3Com's ASICs eliminates the need for costly processors, further reducing the cost of management.

"Because RMON provides powerful management information, many companies feel justified in charging customers a premium for its capabilities," said Bob Finocchio, 3Com's executive vice president, Network Systems Operations. "We believe that RMON functionality is essential for the management of today's rapidly changing and growing corporate network. By offering full RMON functionality where it's best deployed at the periphery of a user's network and providing easy to use applications 3Com provides the required network management functionality needs for today's evolving networks, and adds value for customers who have embraced 3Com's network architecture."

Transcend RMON in HPSN 

Transcend Network Management fully supports 3Com's High Performance Scalable Networking (HPSN) architecture by organizing all elements of a network into groups of logically related devices called Connectivity Systems. HPSN provides customers with a blueprint for building and managing networks in key environments: the workgroup, the building or campus backbone, the remote and personal offices, and wide area networks. Transcend facilitates the management of all network components with SmartAgents.

3Com's strategy is to incorporate Transcend RMON throughout HPSN by deploying RMON in the most appropriate place throughout the network.

RMON Roadmap

Currently, 3Com offers Transcend RMON support for SuperStack LinkBuilder FMS TR Token Ring hubs and LANplex switching hubs (as a roving RMON port), with Transcend application support for Token Ring RMON on all major UNIX platforms (SunNet Manager, OpenView and NetView for AIX). 3Com expects to deliver Transcend RMON across its floor distribution hubs by the end of 1995.

In the second half of 1995, 3Com plans to provide the following:

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-- Full Ethernet RMON on the SuperStack LinkBuilder FMS II product as part of the standard SmartAgent at no extra cost. This will be a free upgrade to existing users of the FMS II product.

-- Full Ethernet RMON to any of three LinkBuilder MSH Ethernet backplanes, again as part of the standard SmartAgent at no extra cost. This will also be available as a free upgrade to existing users of the MSH product.

-- Ethernet RMON will be added to the Transcend enterprise Manager for Windows.

-- A LinkBuilder Token Ring RMON module will be available to provide full RMON on any of the five MSH Token Ring backplanes.

In the second half of 1995, a further SmartAgent upgrade will be provided to allow RMON support for Ethernet SmartModules in the LinkBuilder MSH product, even if they are isolated from the backplane. Also, full Ethernet RMON support will be added to the Transcend Enterprise Manager for UNIX.

3Com's Transcend RMON Network Management solutions and 3Com's hubs are available from 3Com's worldwide channels, including systems integrators, VARs, distributors, national dealers and resellers, OEMs and direct sales. For more information, call 1-800-NET3COM OR 1-408-764-5000.

Founded in 1979, 3Com Corporation (NASDAQ:COMS) pioneered the data networking industry. Today, 3Com offers customers a broad range of ISO 9000-compliant global data networking solutions that include routers, hubs, switches and adapters for Token Ring, Ethernet, and high speed networks. Headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif., 3Com is a Fortune 500 company with worldwide research and development, manufacturing, marketing, sales and support capabilities.

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Note to Editors: 3Com, LinkBuilder, LANplex and Transcend are registered trademarks; FMS, MSH, SuperStack and SmartAgent are trademarks of 3Com Corporation. All other trademarks belong to their respective owners.

CONTACT: 3Com Public Relations 

Dan Chmielewski, 508/836-1769