Adobe Systems chooses 3Com for ATM network at new San Jose headquarters; Adobe deploys more than 100 3Com ATM switches.

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- March 10, 1997 -- 3Com Corporation (NASDAQ: COMS) announced today that Adobe Systems Incorporated has chosen 3Com Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) CELLplex(TM) switches for its new 18-story headquarters building located in San Jose, Calif. The software company is also deploying 3Com AccessBuilder(R) 9600 multiservice access devices between San Jose and the firm's offices in Seattle.

The new network will enable Adobe employees to more rapidly share text, sound and video images. ATM technology is rapidly becoming the networking standard for companies which need to share large text files and video transmissions. ATM networks operate at 155 megabits per second (Mbps), more than 15 times the speed of Ethernet -- the most commonly used networking technology in the U.S.

Deployed at the core of the network where traffic aggregates, and at the network's edge where users reside, Adobe's 100-plus, CELLplex switch-based network will support approximately 2,000 employees. An additional 600 employees will be linked to Adobe's new headquarters from Seattle.

"The 3Com ATM switches will allow us to satisfy our business needs by simplifying network complexity using a single, all-purpose CELLplex solution," said Dan Gisi, Adobe manager of network architecture.

Adobe is using 3Com AccessBuilder 9600 access systems to carry voice, video and data services between San Jose and Seattle. The AccessBuilder 9600 systems quality of service (QOS) capabilities let the company prioritize multimedia traffic while rapidly delivering data to users. The system also reduces communications costs by eliminating the need for multiple T1 lines that transmit voice traffic only.

Building Tomorrow's Network Today

Adobe's 3Com-based network is capable of sending billions of messages every few minutes and illustrates the power of ATM switching for corporate campus applications. Each 3Com CELLplex switch can handle up to 300 million bytes of information per second, providing optimal bandwidth for transmitting video and text.

Eight backbone CELLplex systems, each of which has a redundant switching engine and power supply, will deliver ATM connections to redundant CELLplex 7000 boundary systems in wiring closets. The boundary CELLplex systems' switched 100 Mbps ports will provide Fast Ethernet connections to a minority of high end users and selected servers. These CELLplex systems' switched Ethernet ports will provide dedicated 10 Mbps links to most campus users and standard servers.

"The CELLplex switches are designed to give us high speed reliability, scalability and flexibility at both the core and the edge of our network," said Don Moore, Adobe manager of technology strategy. "3Com's support of switched Ethernet, Fast Ethernet and ATM will allow us to cost-effectively deliver services as users need them. We're very pleased with our decision."

Using the AccessBuilder 9600 systems, Adobe product developers in San Jose and Seattle are now effectively integrating voice, video and data into networked communications. The multiservice system also quickly transfers Adobe's customer service calls to the appropriate Seattle or San Jose technical support person via the company's automatic call distribution system.

About 3Com

3Com Corporation has helped more than 45 million people gain access to critical information through high speed networks. Designed to serve large enterprises, service providers, small offices and homes, 3Com products provide a scaleable architecture to meet the present and future connectivity needs of today's users. With research and development on three continents, 3Com is one of the data networking industry's largest and fastest growing companies. 3Com's innovative marketing, engineering, sales and support simplify communication, optimize network reliability and protect customer investments. For further information, visit our World Wide Web site: http://www.3Com.com or call 1-800-Net-3Com.

About Adobe

Based in San Jose, Calif., Adobe Systems Incorporated (NASDAQ: ADBE) develops and supports products to help people express and use information in more imaginative and meaningful ways, across all print and electronic media. Founded in 1982, Adobe offers a market-leading line of application software and type products for creating and distributing visually rich communication materials; licenses its industry-standard technologies to major hardware manufacturers, software developers and service providers; and offers integrated software solutions to businesses of all sizes.

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3Com and AccessBuilder are registered trademarks and CELLplex is a trademark of 3Com Corporation. All other trademarks are property of their respective holders.

CONTACT: 3Com Corporation,

David Brisson, [phone]