3Com Stakes Claim in Server Networking Territory To
Accelerate Growth of Mission-critical PC Server Networks
08:11 a.m. Mar 09, 1998 Eastern
SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 9, 1998--
Networking Giant Addresses Unique Server Networking
Requirements With Complete Line of Server Designed High
Performance, High Availability Network Interface Cards
Defining the future of networking in LAN server environments, 3Com Corporation
(Nasdaq:COMS) today established the Server Networking category with the
introduction of a broad standards-based family of high performance server network
interface cards (NICs) for Gigabit Ethernet, Fast Ethernet and Token Ring
environments. Server Networking represents a new class of capabilities and
performance for 3Com(R) NICs by providing customers server-unique products
with features such as automated redundancy, fault tolerance and self-healing
drivers for continuous server connections.
"More than a decade of innovations have put 3Com in first place for marketshare.
Having access to the widest, most varied installed base of customers means that
3Com is best positioned to hear -- and understand -- what customers need," said
Doug Spreng, executive vice president, 3Com Interface Products Group. "A year
ago, we established a product division to build on this in-depth understanding to
create a new, innovative product category, Server Networking. It will help fuel the
explosive growth of PC Server computing." Customers Stress Need for Reliable
PC Server Connections
In a continued move away from large mainframe systems, IS managers of medium-
to large-size enterprise customers are taking advantage of today's more powerful
PC servers and robust network operating systems to store data and perform
business-related computing, such as SAP, accounting and billing applications.
However, the increased network traffic stresses PC server CPU utilization, often
resulting in unpredictable client connections, bandwidth-starved applications and
network I/O bottlenecks. In extreme cases, the added network congestion can even
lead to costly downtime, grinding business to a halt. New Products Complete 3Com
Server Networking NIC Family
With a broad array of protocol support and network management capabilities,
3Com's Server Networking NICs give IS managers a one-vendor solution to
support a variety of networking connections at the server. Today's announcement
includes three new products from 3Com: the Fast EtherLink(R) Server NIC, the
Gigabit EtherLink Server NIC and the Token Ring-in-Fast Ethernet Server NIC.
These products join the ATMLink Server NIC (see related announcement -
February 1997) and FDDILink Server NIC (see related announcement - August
1997). Fast EtherLink Ensures Maximum Server Availability and Uptime
The Fast EtherLink Server NIC features 3Com's Self-Healing Drivers (SHD) to
continuously monitor the network server link maximizing the uptime of the server
network connection. If the state of the network connection falters or common error
conditions arise in the server, SHDs automatically take corrective actions, ensuring
an active server link. Additionally, 3Com's DynamicAccess(R) software Resilient
Server Links (RSL) guarantees maximum server availability and fault tolerance
enabling "stand-by" NICs to automatically take over if a primary server adapter
connection fails.
To ease the IS manager's burden of user moves, additions and changes, 3Com's
Fast Ethernet server NIC also features VLAN tagging, offering support for up to
sixteen VLAN connections. Reducing the need for added routing requirements,
VLAN tagging allows IS managers to offer multiple groups of users access to the
same server, using compatible 3Com switches. Gigabit EtherLink Offers
Economical Scalability, Speed
The 3Com Gigabit EtherLink Server NIC brings industry-leading speed to the PC
server connection, eliminating server bottlenecks. A cost-effective Gigabit migration
solution, 3Com's Gigabit Ethernet Server NIC helps customer leverage their
current Ethernet investments, while preparing for the next generation of Ethernet
technology. 3Com Gigabit EtherLink Server NICs are interoperable with 3Com's
full line of Gigabit Ethernet end-to-end solutions. 3Com also future-proofs the IS
investment by guaranteeing interoperability with the final IEEE 802.3z Gigabit
Ethernet specification. Token Ring-in-Fast Ethernet Balances Bandwidth
Enhancement with Cost Effectiveness
The 3Com Token Ring-in-Fast Ethernet Server NIC offers customer one of the
industry's first Fast Ethernet backbone solutions for Token Ring networks. With a
long-standing commitment to Token Ring networks, 3Com's Token Ring-in-Fast
Ethernet Server NIC is viable solution for customers who need to connect Token
Ring client PCs to Ethernet topologies, featuring 100-Mbps Fast Ethernet
connections at the backbone. Pricing and Availability
3Com is shipping its Fast EtherLink and Gigabit EtherLink Server Networking
NICs today and will be shipping its Token Ring-in-Fast Ethernet Server NIC on
March 13, 1998. U.S list prices are as follows:
-- Fast EtherLink Server NIC (3C980-TX) - $190/board in 20 packs; $195/board in
five packs; $199 singles;
-- Gigabit EtherLink Server NIC (3C985-TX) - $1,610/board in five packs; $1,695
singles; About 3Com
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.
3Com, DynamicAccess, EtherLink and Parallel Tasking are registered trademarks
of 3Com Corporation. (See also: businesswire.com)
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