3Com Ships First Multi-Segment LAN/WAN Switch Offering Highest Density For
Intranets And Remote Access

3Com Creates New Category in Remote Networking with AccessBuilder" 5000
System; Company Further Unfolds Virtual Networking, Taking it Beyond the
LAN

SANTA CLARA, CALIF. -- Global data networking leader, 3Com Corporation
(Nasdaq: COMS) has created a new category in remote networking systems
with the industry's first multi-segment LAN/WAN switch, the AccessBuilders
5000. Now shipping, AccessBuilder 5000 Enterprise LAN/WAN Switch is a
unique offering in the industry, combining up to 10 LAN segments with up
to 256 WAN ports, delivering the industry's highest concentration,
enterprise-level LAN/WAN platform for building large Intranets and
expanding remote networks.

Available for Ethernet and Token Ring networks, the 17-slot chassis
accommodates hot-swappable WAN media modules allowing network managers to
mix and match asynchronous, ISDN PRI and T1/E1 connections. In addition,
the AccessBuilder 5000 system offers fault-tolerant redundant components,
strong management tools, and comprehensive security.

With the shipment of AccessBuilder 5000, 3Com also is continuing to unfold
its Transcend" Networking strategy. "Today, most people think of switching
only in terms of the LAN," said John Hart, chief technology officer for
3Com. "Yet, many of the benefits yielded by multi-segment switching --
greater dedicated bandwidth, transparent adds, moves, and changes -- can
be applied to remote networking."

Transcend Networking

3Com's elements of Transcend Networking -- improved performance and
throughput as well as easier management and network reconfiguration -- can
be applied to the wide area. Using the AccessBuilder 5000 enterprise
platform in Intranet applications, individual network servers used for
Web, e-mail, or database access, can be configured with port switching --
allocating users to the same workgroup, and thus improving access
performance. In addition, with dynamic address allocation, the network
transparently accommodates adds, moves, and changes, without any work at
the administration console. By aggregating WAN traffic and mapping it to
different LAN segments, the device can efficiently support a higher number
of WAN ports.

"The days of stacking several 'high-end eight-port' departmental remote
access servers in an attempt to solve the enterprise's remote networking
and Intranet needs are over. Network managers need scalable, reliable
solutions which improve throughput, ease management and allow network
configuration on the fly," said Joe Diodati, director of marketing for
3Com. "Switching inherently delivers dedicated, predictable bandwidth and
provides the transition path to virtual networks. The AccessBuilder 5000
platform is ideal for managing information flow at the enterprise."

"Up until recently, enterprises have tended to draw a line separating the
LAN and WAN portions of the network. However, now that remote access has
moved from tens to thousands of users -- all of whom have expectations of
LAN performance over the WAN -- we're seeing that line disappear," said
Virginia Brooks, manager, network access technologies at Aberdeen Group.
"With the AccessBuilder 5000 system, 3Com has delivered a new class of
product located on the cusp of the LAN and the WAN. The company's
end-to-end systems approach, gives them the potential to make significant
strides in the remote networking market."

"After just one year, nearly 25 percent of Lexmark's 7,000 employees work
remotely. Our remote access system is critical to their ability to
accomplish results for the company," said Jeff Harris, telecommunications
specialist for Lexmark International Inc. "I prefer to work with single
vendor solutions, and 3Com continues to provide end-to-end platforms that
protect my current investments and allow me to easily support and manage
the growing remote population."

Added Redundancy and PPTP Support

The AccessBuilder 5000 system offers a number of built-in redundant
components, including controller modules, load-sharing power supplies,
management modules and fans as well as intelligent system and power
management capabilities. Following through on the company's commitment to
the Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP), AccessBuilder 5000 will be
among the first commercially available systems to support PPTP-enabled
applications, adding flexibility and scalability to building virtual
networks. 3Com will participate in interoperability testing at Microsoft's
headquarters to ensure compatibility with Windows NT Server 4.0 upon
shipment.

Management and Security

Facilitating the management of remote networking, 3Com is enhancing the
capabilities of Transcend network management with the addition of a
Web-based enterprise accounting and monitoring software, and support for
UNIX platforms on Transcend AccessBuilder Manager (TABM). Available in the
fourth quarter, the software toolset leverages the Web's common user
interface and platform independence. This provides network managers with a
flexible, learning oriented environment in which to track calls for
billing purposes, monitor network usage with statistical information, and
link real-time user profile data with related documentation to assist in
troubleshooting. 3Com also is adding enterprise UNIX platforms to TABM.
Formerly only available for Windows platform management, support for
Hewlett-Packard's OpenView system is now shipping. In the third quarter,
support for IBM's NetView 6000 will be available.

The AccessBuilder 2000, 4000 and 5000 family offers the broadest portfolio
of NOS-based and external server-based remote networking security options
in the industry. 3Com is the only vendor to integrate remote security
procedures with Microsoft Windows NT Registry Services as well as Novell's
Netware Directory Services and Netware Bindery Services. In addition, the
company supports third-party security systems from Digital Pathways,
Leemah, Microdyne and Security Dynamics. Next month, 3Com will add TACACS+
to this comprehensive offering.

Pricing and Availability

Available now, starter configurations of the AccessBuilder 5000 Enterprise
LAN/WAN Switch include the chassis with 48 asynchronous ports, a power
supply, a controller module, a media module, a rack mount kit, client and
server software, and management software. This starter implementation is
priced at $24,995 for Ethernet environments and $29,995 for Token Ring.
Additional options available now include: asynchronous modules in 16-port
increments for $6,795 (Ethernet) and $7,795 (Token Ring); a redundant
controller/ management module priced at $5,995; power supplies for $695;
and software for other AccessBuilder client and security options.

In the fourth quarter, integrated WAN modules supporting ISDN PRI and
channelized T1/E1 with digital modems will be available. Pricing
information will be available at shipment.

3Com's efforts to make remote networking easier to deploy include offering
free ISDN line ordering and provisioning. Simply call 1-800-NET-3COM, and
select option 1 to gain instant access to 3Com's team of ISDN
professionals who will order and correctly provision ISDN lines or provide
users with information regarding the availability and cost of ISDN in the
United States.

Resellers in the United States should make a point of registering in 3Com's
Remote Access Gold Seal program, a special designation within the
netWorking Partners(SM) program. Please call 1-800-NET-3COM or a local
3Com sales representative for details.

3Com Corporation has helped more than 28 million people gain access to
critical information through high-speed networks. Designed to serve large
enterprises, service providers, small offices and homes, 3Com products
provide a scalable architecture to meet the present and future
connectivity needs of today's users. With research and development on
three continents, 3Com is one of the data networking industry's largest
and fastest growing companies. 3Com's innovative marketing, engineering,
sales and support simplify communication, optimize network reliability and
protect customer investments.
 
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