3Com unveils Transcend Virtual Networking: Comprehensive strategy for deploying virtual LAN technology and building virtual networks; Company now shipping virtual LAN capabilities and management; new roadmap helps customers reduce move change costs, increase network flexibility

Business Wire, Nov 29, 1995

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 29, 1995--3Com Corporation (NASDAQ:COMS) today unveiled Transcend Virtual Networking, a virtual networking implementation strategy for networks built with 3Com's High Performance Scalable Networking (HPSN) architecture.

Under Transcend Virtual Networking (Transcend VN), customers can fully exploit the power of scalable switched networks, including high-speed switching to the desktop and automatic switch/desktop configuration to reduce administration costs. As an integral part of Transcend VN, 3Com also today outlined its three-phase VLAN roadmap to deliver the superior performance, simplicity and manageability of virtual LANs (VLANs).

Transcend Virtual Networking (Transcend VN) includes VLANs and other enabling technologies and features to build virtual networks, such as network multimedia support, distributed network monitoring and analysis, and advanced automated network management. Combined, these features allow customers to dramatically increase network flexibility, reduce the network management burden and boost performance. Transcend VN is deployed with 3Com's broad range of backbone switches, workgroup switches, hubs, routers, adapters and network management applications.

"Transcend Virtual Networking lets customers exploit the maximum power of switched networks with the benefits of virtual networking," said Bob Finocchio, executive vice president of 3Com Corporation. "3Com is leading the market in providing high-performance VLANs and VLAN management solutions today, and through this strategy, we are providing a solid and realistic vision for future virtual networking. Our virtual networking strategy, along with our recently introduced network monitoring and analysis strategy, demonstrate our leadership in providing added value solutions for scalable switched networks."

Following is 3Com's three-phase roadmap to deliver virtual LAN technology and enable customers to build virtual networks:

VLAN Strategy, Phase 1 -- Now through mid-1996

o Ability to configure multiple VLANs within each switch:

Allows users to leverage their existing infrastructure to reduce

time and effort needed to make changes on the network.

o Multiple VLANs across multiple switches:

Adds increased flexibility, simplified move/change functions and

higher performance.

o Common graphical management application:

Gives users a single, easy to use interface within 3Com's

Transcend Network management application.

o The CELLplex 7000 ATM switch and LinkSwitch 2700 Ethernet/ATM

switch are now shipping with all Phase 1 features. The LANplex

family of switches now support VLAN features, with full management

support by mid-1996. The LinkSwitch 1000/3000, LinkSwitch 2000 TR

and switching in the ONcore system multifunction hub will all have

integrated Phase 1 features by mid-1996.

Phase 2 -- Begins in mid-1996

o User-based VLAN capability:

Bases VLANs on administrator-determined collections of users, not

just sets of switch ports. VLAN association stays the same, even

if a desktop moves to a different physical location.

o Automatic VLAN configuration:

Determines VLAN membership by protocol type, subnet and/or

administrator-defined groups. VLAN association remains the same,

regardless of physical location of desktops.

o Desktop empowered for automated network management:

Arms 3Com's industry-leading network adapters with SmartAgent-based

RMON for performance/fault management. Allows the desktop to

monitor and report on the health of the network and automate VLAN

and multi-cast membership. By empowering the desktop and leveraging

desktop and switching intelligence, 3Com is providing efficient

bandwidth utilization for multimedia point to multi-point

applications without requiring costly and complex routing

configured in every switch.

o 802.1 standard VLANs:

Will support VLANs based on standards being developed by the 802.1

committee.

o 3Com plans to integrate Phase 2 features into its switching and

adapter products beginning second-half 1996.

Phase 3 -- Starting in 1997

o Multi-Domain Switching Architecture:

Enables auto-configuration of VLAN membership and works across

both ATM and non-ATM environments. With all of these features,

3Com will continue to leverage its ASIC expertise to keep the

switches low cost, high performance and with minimum complexity.

o Policy-based Virtual Network (VNET) support:

Enables VNET membership based on manager-defined policies, as well

as applying policies for such things as Quality of Service (QOS)

and security to all members of the Virtual Network. Policy

enforcement will be supported at each individual desktop and will

follow the desktop wherever it goes.

Synergy with IBM

As a result of 3Com's recent acquisition of Chipcom, 3Com has expanded its relationship with IBM and will cooperate in the development of 3Com's HPSN and IBM Switched Virtual Networking (SVN). In addition, the two companies are working together to define common virtual network implementations for Phases 2 and 3. 3Com and IBM as Ethernet and Token Ring market leaders, are ideally positioned to drive the move toward application-driven network features, including switching and desktop intelligence.