3Com Makes Wireless Networking More Practical for Small Businesses

Business Wire, May 20, 2002

Business/Technology Editors

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 20, 2002

New OfficeConnect(R) Solution Turns Any Broadband Connection into

a Starting Point for Plug-and-Play Access to the Internet

3Com Corporation (Nasdaq:COMS) today announced the OfficeConnect(R) Wireless Cable/DSL Gateway, which combines wireless local area network (LAN) technology with shared, secure broadband connections for cost-effective information access. By connecting both wireless and wired users - using a standard 802.11b access point paired with an integrated 4-port switch - the gateway router offers small businesses the flexibility to set up or extend their network without the costs or inconvenience of installing new wiring. Unlike offerings from other vendors, the OfficeConnect Wireless Cable/DSL Gateway is a high-quality, reliable solution designed specifically to meet the needs of small businesses and Small Office/Home Offices (SOHOs).

"With the combination of wireless and DSL or cable, small businesses can cut costs by sharing a single broadband connection and avoiding the high cost of laying cable, while enjoying the inherent flexibility and mobility of wireless," said Kathy Rocha, vice president for the Small Business Division in 3Com's Business Networks Company. "At 3Com, we've tapped our experience as an established leader in small business and wireless products to create the OfficeConnect Cable/DSL Wireless Gateway - an easy-to-use wireless solution for small businesses."

With wireless LANs, small businesses gain flexibility for conducting business and managing change. For example, small businesses can easily set up and take down a network when moving to a new office space or can add a new employee without worrying about running additional cabling. For employees no longer tethered to their desk, informal workgroups can gather for an impromptu meeting or provide customer service, while still being able to access corporate servers, e-mail and Web sites.

The OfficeConnect Wireless Cable/DSL Gateway connects to an existing cable or Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) modem via an Ethernet cable and acts as a wireless access point to offer simultaneous Internet access for up to 32 wireless users. Since the new gateway is Wi-Fi certified, users can connect using any Wi-Fi certified 802.11b-enabled PC. Small businesses can physically extend the range of their wireless network by adding a standalone, standards-based access point, such as the 3Com(R) 11Mbps Wireless LAN Access Point 2000, announced in January 2002. The gateway also contains an integrated switch with four Ethernet/Fast Ethernet LAN ports for wired connections and can be connected to an existing wired office Ethernet LAN.

The OfficeConnect Wireless Cable/DSL Gateway offers an integrated basic firewall, enabling small businesses to block hacker attacks and hide the LAN from detection by hackers. For wireless users, the Wireless Cable/DSL Gateway supports 40/64-bit and 128-bit Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) encryption. The gateway enables the secure encrypted traffic of a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to pass-through for remote office and remote access applications.

As an industry leader in small business networking and among the top wireless LAN solutions vendors, 3Com offers a well-established portfolio of products specifically designed to meet the business needs of small businesses. The products are affordably priced, offer compatibility with existing network technologies, and have lifetime limited warranties.

Pricing and Availability

The OfficeConnect Wireless Cable/DSL Gateway is priced at $280 (U.S. list) and is expected to be available in May 2002.

About 3Com Corporation

3Com is a global leader in functionally-rich, easy-to-use networking products that connect businesses to their employees, customers and suppliers anytime, anywhere. 3Com is also a leader in Internet protocol (IP) service platforms and access infrastructure for the network service provider market. In 1979, the company was founded by one of the inventors of Ethernet technology on which virtually all local area networks are based. Since then, 3Com has sold more than 360,000,000 Ethernet connections. 3Com has headquarters in Santa Clara, California and offices around the world. For further information, please visit www.3com.com, or the press site www.3com.com/pressbox.> 3Com, the 3Com logo and OfficeConnect are registered trademarks of 3Com Corporation. All other company and products names may be trademarks of their respective holders.

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