3COM DRIVES REMOTE OFFICE WAN TO NEXT-GENERATION
INTRANETS AND VIRTUAL PRIVATE NETWORKS
MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 10, 1997--
New OfficeConnect NETBuilder 13x Routers Add Functionality and Flexibility to Remote
Office Solutions
Global networking leader 3Com Corp. (NASDAQ:COMS) today announced the OfficeConnect
NETBuilder 13x series of routers with full routing and security features designed to help
enterprises extend cutting-edge Intranets to the remote sites and develop Virtual Private
Networks (VPNs). The newest routing solutions are part of the OfficeConnect NETBuilder line
of routers, aimed to deliver enterprise-level WAN flexibility and robustness in a price and
form-factor suitable for small remote office environment.
The announcement of the newest members of the OfficeConnect NETBuilder family follows on
the heels of 3Com's December 8 announcement of another new router platform, the SuperStack
II NETBuilder SI router, which has also been optimized for deployment in public and private
data networks. "The OfficeConnect NETBuilder family of routers has been designed for users
whose corporate networks are evolving into next-generation Intranets and Virtual Private
Networks," said Chandy Nilakantan, 3Com vice president and general manager. "By including
additional connectivity options and a robust software architecture in the OfficeConnect
NETBuilder family, users now have more choices available when building cutting-edge
networks -- regardless of the WAN technologies available." New OfficeConnect NETBuilder
Solutions Extends Options
The latest addition to the OfficeConnect NETBuilder family, the 13x series, provides one
Ethernet interface and two FlexWAN serial ports for customers who require connectivity for
multiple external devices such as CSU/DSUs and serial controllers or environments where
ISDN is not an optimal WAN solution. Existing OfficeConnect NETBuilder routers include one
Ethernet LAN port, one FlexWAN serial port and either one ISDN BRI port (both U and S/T
versions) or one DDS port with integrated CSU/DSU (56/64kbps). The new OfficeConnect
NETBuilder 13x family will be available in three variants, the 131 (with Boundary Routing
architecture), 132 (IP/IPX router), and the 137 (Full protocol router).
The complete protocol suite which is offered on the OfficeConnect NETBuilder 137 router
includes support for IP, IPX, AppleTalk and IBM/Legacy protocols. 3Com's exclusive
Boundary Routing architecture lowers deployment and management costs by providing a
plug-and-play routing solution at the remote site. 3Com also announced plans to further expand
the WAN choices and expand investment protection in the OfficeConnect NETBuilder family
with delivery of a FT1/T1 variant. The FT1/T1 option will be available as an installed option or
an upgrade module that will allow users to upgrade all domestically available OfficeConnect
NETBuilder routers to T1 speeds. This new high speed option will allow users to migrate higher
speed links as network bandwidth demands increase. Enterprise Software Robustness Delivered
to Remote Office Environments
Like all OfficeConnect NETBuilder routers, the new 13x family is offered in a "clippable"
desk-top form factor ideal for small, remote office environments where space is limited. At the
same time, it offers users the same advanced software features found in all 3Com NETBuilder
router platforms, many of which are only offered as expensive options on competitive solutions.
The new 13x family includes the standard OfficeConnect NETBuilder router software that
features an extensive suite of security features such as the NCSA certified integrated firewall
and Network Address Translation (NAT) support.
3Com's firewall implementation makes security features easy to configure and maintain, offering
network managers a selection of application specific commands to allow or deny activities such
as Internet browsing traffic, FTP, Telnet and e-mail on each individual network port. NAT
support enhances the security level by hiding internal IP addresses from outside connections,
preventing hackers from accessing an inside host. These two security features, shipped at no
additional cost on all OfficeConnect NETBuilder routers with the IP software load, gives
network administrators the power to manage the information and the control to maintain the
integrity of the network.
In addition to security features, the OfficeConnect NETBuilder routers incorporate a suite of
bandwidth management capabilities, such as compression and protocol reservation, designed to
optimize WAN utilization between Intranet connections, minimizing costs and network down
time through improved WAN quality of service. And the new OfficeConnect NETBuilder
routers offer a fully upgradeable memory and software component, providing the customer with
investment protection as their corporate network expands. Availability
Shipping immediately, the OfficeConnect NETBuilder 13x family featuring one Ethernet
interface and two FlexWAN serial ports, ranges from $1495 to $2995 U.S. list price, depending
on software load. 3Com Corp. enables individuals and organizations worldwide to communicate
and share information and resources at any time 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.
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. For further
information, visit 3Com's World Wide Web site at 3com.com, or the press site at
3com.com .
Note to Editors: 3Com, Boundary Routing, NETBuilder, OfficeConnect and SuperStack are
registered trademarks of 3Com Corp. AppleTalk is a registered trademark of Apple Computer.
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