Widener University's New 3Com Network Brings 21st Century
Learning to 10,000 Students Across Three College Campuses
10:03 a.m. Dec 02, 1997 Eastern
SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 2, 1997--
New Multimedia Network Delivers CD-ROM, Internet and Intranet
Services to University-Wide Classrooms, Student Residences and
Staff
3Com Corporation (NASDAQ:COMS) today announced that Widener University,
a 175-year-old multidisciplinary academic institution based in Chester, Pa., has
launched an advanced enterprise-wide multimedia network standardized on 3Com
systems.
The new network is based on high-speed ATM (asynchronous transfer mode)
3Com solutions and extends from the school's Chester campus, near Philadelphia,
to campuses in Wilmington, Del., and Harrisburg, Pa.
Implemented to provide the university's 10,000 students with next-generation
instructional technologies, the new network delivers a wide range of voice, video
and data applications to classrooms and student residences. These include
multimedia CD-ROM titles, providing students with access to biology, engineering,
law and nursing programs, as well as online links to Dinex's library catalogue of
primary and secondary sources. Driven by 19 3Com CoreBuilder 7000
high-function ATM switches and 3Com Ethernet workgroup devices, the network
provides each student with an Internet email address and Internet access for
research collaborations with professionals, peers and organizations.
The university is also launching an intranet to post school events and link students
with faculty departments to obtain course work information. Widener additionally is
piloting desktop videoconferencing for faculty, staff and students with compatible
desktop systems. Administrators are using the network to collect and exchange
students' records, including course selections and grades. The network further
supports Microsoft Office and Datatel's financial program, including accounts
payable and accounts receivable modules.
"Giving university students a first-rate education today depends both on the quality
of classroom instruction and the instructional technologies used to support it," said
Gary J. Habermann, associate director of Widener's computer systems department.
"Using the speed and scalability of 3Com ATM solutions, we're opening the door to
learning opportunities that are expanding the classroom from our campuses to the
world using a networking architecture that can take us well into the 21st century,"
he added.
"The Widener network exemplifies what universities can do to augment classroom
learning using state-of-the-art networking," noted David Katz, 3Com worldwide
education manager. "3Com's ATM architecture provides the fastest possible
access to educational CD-ROM programs and the Internet as well as a host of
other multimedia communications that can advance the education of Widener
students far beyond what was possible before." Architected for Advanced Higher
Education
Completed this summer, Widener's ATM network emanated from the university's
decision to introduce advanced multimedia applications in the wake of increasing
enrollment. Having previously used an Ethernet/FDDI network from 3Com, the
university needed a higher speed architecture to deliver these services, starting in
January 1997. After surveying leading vendors, including Cabletron, Bay Networks
and Cisco Systems, Widener selected 3Com's CoreBuilder 7000 high-function
ATM architecture.
"3Com was the only company with proven, available ATM systems that could
meet our performance and deadline criteria," said Tom Erbe, Widener's network
administrator. "We were very impressed with the scalability of the switches' 20
gigabit backplanes, which gave us the ability to add users and applications without
degrading network performance. 3Com's Transcend Enterprise Manager network
management software provided the control we needed to efficiently administer a
large and growing network like ours."
In addition to CoreBuilder 7000 high-function ATM switches at the network core
and Transcend network management solutions, Widener is using 88 SuperStack II
desktop switches and 55 SuperStack II Switch 1000 Ethernet switches with Fast
Ethernet/ATM uplinks, providing students, faculty and staff with switched Ethernet
and Fast Ethernet desktop connections. The university is employing 3Com
NETBuilder IIr routers to deliver networked services from Chester to its
Wilmington and Harrisburg campuses. The two remote campuses are also utilizing
3Com SuperStack II Hub 10s, which deliver shared Ethernet desktop connections
to remote campus users.
Widener additionally is using 3Com EtherLink III ISA network interface cards
(NICs) and 3Com fast EtherLink NICs in high-performance desktops. The fast
EtherLink NICs enable the university to migrate a desktop from switched to Fast
Ethernet connectivity without changing the NIC.
"Widener is providing a richer educational experience as a result of the advances
our 3Com network delivers," said Habermann. "Whether in their dorm rooms or the
classroom, students are enhancing their learning with online tools and greater
access to educational resources -- and we've only just begun to tap into the
network's potential," he concluded. About 3Com Corporation
3Com Corporation enables individuals and organizations worldwide to communicate
and share information and resources at anytime from anywhere. As one of the
world's preeminent suppliers of data, voice and video communications technology,
3Com has delivered networking solutions to more than 100 million customers
worldwide. With global reach and local touch, the company provides enterprises,
network service providers and carriers, small businesses and consumers with
comprehensive, innovative information access products and system solutions for
building intelligent, reliable and high performance local and wide area networks.
3Com has worldwide revenues of approximately $6.0 billion and employs about
13,200 employees in 45 countries. For further information, visit 3Com's World
Wide Web site at 3com.com, or the press site at
3com.com .
(See also: businesswire.com)
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