Army's Soldier and Biological Chemical Command Launches Gigabit
Ethernet Network Based On 3Com Layer 3 Switches
BUSINESS WIRE - 01:01 p.m Jun 29, 1999 Eastern
3Com High-Speed Gigabit Ethernet Backbone Network to Expedite
Mission-Critical Research, Internet and Intranet Communications
for 1500 Users
SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 29, 1999--
3Com Corporation (Nasdaq:COMS) today announced that the U.S. Army
SBCCOM (Soldier and Biological Chemical Command), based in
Edgewood, MD, is initiating an ultra-fast enterprise network standardized
on 3Com(R) systems. Powered by 3Com's CoreBuilder(R) 3500 Layer 3
high-function switches, the 1500-user local area network (LAN) will utilize
a Gigabit Ethernet backbone and Gigabit Ethernet uplinks to connect
servers and users. The network is designed to meet SBCCOM's increasing
needs for higher bandwidth to support research and information sharing
critical to its mission of providing the U.S. military with the world's most
advanced chemical and biological defense equipment.
Upon completion, SBCCOM's fully switched network is expected to
significantly accelerate the organization's use of Microsoft Exchange email,
file transfers and print services via the CoreBuilder 3500 systems'
wire-speed connections. Engineers working on research and development
projects will benefit from higher-speed links to Internet-based SBCCOM
databases and Web sites and faster connections to wider military
installations and supercomputers.
For securing sensitive data not yet available to the outside world, the
command operates a proprietary intranet that will also gain increased power
from the new infrastructure. In addition to providing SBCCOM with faster
data transfers for research collaborations, the intranet will let users instantly
access SBCCOM's employee directory, rules and regulations, its bulletin
board and its organizational flowchart. The high-speed network will also
enable SBCCOM employees to provide better support to affiliated
academics and institutions working on projects relating to the
organization's mission.
"At SBCCOM, our reliance upon network-based services has grown by
leaps and bounds over the last 15 years," stated Ron Ward, the command's
information technology manager. "With faster PCs, upgraded software and
vehicles like the intranet, which generate increasing backbone traffic, we
needed a resilient network able to support rising and shifting traffic. Using
Gigabit Ethernet and Layer 3 switching solutions, we found a cost-effective
way to meet our needs now and for many years to come."
Higher Networking Power and Flexibility
SBCCOM's migration to its new LAN emanated from the inability of its
pre-existing legacy router-based FDDI network to support users' growing
needs for bandwidth. The command considered an ATM backbone, but
opted for Gigabit Ethernet and Layer 3 solutions because of their
cost-effective speed and the organization's familiarity with packet
technology. The CoreBuilder 3500 Layer 3 switch provides non-blocking,
multi-protocol, wire-speed routing at 10 times the performance of a
traditional backbone router for as low as one-tenth the cost. The switch also
features advanced policy-based management and Fast Ethernet, Gigabit
Ethernet, FDDI and ATM interfaces.
The new network will consist of up to 10 CoreBuilder 3500 switches in the
network backbone, furnishing Gigabit Ethernet links to servers and to the
latest 3Com SuperStack(R) II 1100 (10Base-T) and 3300 (10/100 Mbps)
workgroup switches located in building wiring closets. The SuperStack II
switches will provide switched Ethernet and Fast Ethernet connectivity to
users' PCs employing 3Com's Fast EtherLink(R) 10/100 Mbps network
interface cards (NICs). 3Com's Total Control(TM) remote access
concentrators will provide ISDN connectivity for remote sites lacking fiber
optic links. Using 3Com's OfficeConnect(R) 500-series remote access
routers, employees at those locations will gain rapid dial-in access to the
main SBCCOM network. CoreBuilder 7000 ATM switches are already
installed at several campus facilities.
SBCCOM uses 3Com's Transcend(R) Enterprise Manager network
management solution to monitor and configure the entire network from a
single management console. The software's range of features, which
include virtual LAN (VLAN) configuration and remote monitoring
(RMON), will enable command technicians to better safeguard the
network's health by taking a more proactive stance toward network
management. The command also plans to take advantage of 3Com's
Express (SM) service contract for dial-up support and its Guardian (SM)
service plan for 24-hour hardware maintenance.
"Layer 3 switching will let us confidently stay one step ahead of our
bandwidth requirements," said Ward. "With Fast Ethernet to the desktop,
Gigabit uplinks and a Gigabit backbone enterprise-wide, we'll be able to
insure that our employees have all the networking power they need to carry
out their crucial defense tasks."
About 3Com Corporation
With more than 200 million customers worldwide, 3Com Corporation
connects more people to information in more ways than any other
networking company. 3Com delivers innovative information access
products and network system solutions to large, medium and small
enterprises; carriers and network service providers; PC OEMs; and
consumers. 3Com. More connected.(TM) For further information, visit
3Com's World Wide Web site at www.3com.com or the press site at
www.3com.com/pressbox.
3Com, Transcend, SuperStack, CoreBuilder, OfficeConnect and EtherLink
are registered trademarks, Total Control and More connected. are
trademarks and Guardian and Express are service marks of 3Com
Corporation. All other company and product names may be trademarks of
the respective companies with which they are associated.
Copyright 1999, Business Wire
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