3Com To Unveil Single Chip Netwk Interface For NetPCs
PALO ALTO, Calif. (Dow Jones)--3Com Corp. (COMS) will introduce a single-chip
network interface product for network computers Monday.
The fast Ethernet, or 10/100 speed, product that allows a computer to
communicate with a network will be designed for the NetPC, a network computer
proposed by Intel Corp. (INTC) and Microsoft Corp. (CORP), and supported by
several major PC makers, company officials said.
But with software modification, the chip would be appropriate for network
computers being advanced by companies such as Oracle Corp. (ORCL) and Sun
Microsystems Inc. (SUNW), said Doug Spreng, executive vice president of 3Com
interface products.
The single-chip design will allow the network interface product to be installed
directly on the motherboard of the sealed-case NetPC machine. It will help enable
the network computer to be controlled remotely, an advantage seen as aiding
customers reduce the cost and complexity of managing computer networks.
3Com is not expected to release a price for the chip, but samples will be
available immediately and volume shipment is planned for the fall. The
company has already received orders for the product from Dell Computer
Corp. (DELL).
"Dow Jones News Service"
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