Ethernet Chip Targets NCs
By David Joachim
3Com last week released an Ethernet chip to OEM manufacturers of computers specifically designed for the NetPC and other thin clients.
The 3C917, developed in partnership with Lucent Technologies, Murray Hill, N.J., mirrors a larger trend in PC manufacturing. More Wintel and network computer vendors are integrating the network interface into the system board on some models to ease setup and improve price/performance.
"Everybody needs to be on the network in a corporation," said Roger Kay, a senior desktop analyst at International Data Corp., Framingham, Mass. Building the network interface into the computer "is a cost consideration in that you can do it for cheaper if you do it on the motherboard."
3Com and its OEMs have resisted integration, arguing that network interface cards offered the most versatility because they could be upgraded independently of the desktop machine.
"We were pushing the NIC story because a NIC has a quicker time to market, and you're able to upgrade quickly," said Brent Lang, 3Com's product manager for Fast Ethernet NICs. "But the NetPC is trying to simplify things by essentially taking away the flexibility in the first place. You seal the box up and don't let users get their grubby hands on them, and you limit the number of expansion slots. Also, every NetPC will be networked, so it makes sense to have networking in every one."
Integrated networking is not called for in the Microsoft/Intel NetPC initiative, but it is an option, said Phil Holden, Microsoft's product manager for Windows. He also oversees the NetPC spec. Because only one expansion slot is available on NetPCs, "a lot of vendors are obviously seeing the benefits of integration," he said.
Most of the usual Wintel suspects are expected to demonstrate their NetPCs for the first time next week at PC Expo in New York.
Officials at Compaq Computer and Dell Computer confirmed they would showcase NetPCs based on the recently released spec, and others, including Digital Equipment, Gateway 2000, Hewlett-Packard and Packard-Bell, are expected to join them.
Dell, Austin, Texas, said last week it would incorporate the 3C917 into its NetPC, which will be on display at PC Expo.
3Com's Ethernet chip sets already are a popular choice among PC makers, including Acer, Gateway, Hitachi and Micron. The latest chip has been tweaked to incorporate hardware-level management features called for in Microsoft's Zero Administration initiative, of which the NetPC is a part.
Lang said plans are to use the new design in all 3Com NICs. "The movement toward managed PCs is taking place across the board," he said.
The 3C917 supports SNMP, RMON and RMON2 data collection, and remote hardware and software management, as well as version 2.0 of the Desktop Management Interface, which allows for remote monitoring and control of PC resources.
Other management options integrated into the chip include Microsoft's Advanced Configuration and Power Interface, Wake-On-LAN, Virtually Connected LAN and Remote Boot Agent.
3Com can be reached at www.3com.com or 800-638-3266.
Copyright r 1997 CMP Media Inc.
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