3Com and Crossbeam Expand Alliance With New Switches

Enterprise Networks & Servers, Oct 2004

3Com Corp. has unveiled the 3Com security Switches 7245 and 7280, two security services switches that offer large enterprises and service providers a safer, simpler way to secure their networks.

The 3Com security Switches 7245 and 7280 are a result of an expanded agreement between 3Com and Crossbeam Systems, a global developer of total security solutions. The original alliance established in 2003 focused on the 3Com security Switch 6200. Both products are chassis-based systems, with the 3Com security Switch 7245 featuring seven slots and the 3Com security Switch 7280 featuring 14 slots.

"As an end-to-end networking provider, 3Com is uniquely positioned to overlay standards-based security technologies into the various elements of the network infrastructure as well as into purpose built security appliances, which are deployed at key points of vulnerability across the network," said Sudhakar Ramakrishna, 3Com vice president of product line management. "3Com's strategy is to meet the needs of enterprise customers by providing the lowest cost of operations for secure extended networks supporting today's business needs."

Designed for large enterprise and service provider networks, the switches are fault resilient and offer superior performance, while running "best-of-breed" security engines for firewalls, virtual private networks (VPNs), intrusion detection, virus scanning, URL filtering, content filtering, anti-spam defenses and secure remote access via socket secure layers VPN. 3 Com's multi-application approach includes working with leading software vendors such as Check Point Software Technologies, Internet Security Systems, Trend Micro, Aladdin and Secure Computing.

"As the industry continues to migrate to integrated security solutions, Crossbeam has proven to be a valuable ally in delivering the best solutions available to our customers and remains a crucial piece of our security portfolio," Ramakrishna said. "After a successful roll-out of the 3Com security Switch 6200, 3Com is excited to expand this relationship to bring the same 'best-of-breed' security solutions to our large enterprise customers."

"The convergence of networking and security is not just an industry trend, it's a business imperative," said Jason Wright, Frost & Sullivan industry analyst and program leader for security technologies. "Enterprise networks are probed and attacked on a daily basis, so the ability to deliver a comprehensive enterprise solution consisting of 3Com networking products, global channel and expertise combined with Crossbeam's innovative multi-application security services switches offers a unique opportunity to secure the communications, information and networks of enterprise customers around the world."

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