Maarssen, May 12, 2005 – 3Com Corporation announced a new software update that strengthens the ability of enterprises to incorporate 3Com’s standalone wireless access points into a centralized wireless switch network – providing customers with tighter control, increased automation and higher security. 3Com’s wireless switch system also continues to support new third-party access points from vendors such as Trapeze Networks and D-Link. Additionally, 3Com released this week an enhancement for several of its OfficeConnect® 11g wireless products to support WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2) as a new wireless security line of defense for mobile users.
“With the software support of the older-generation access points and a growing number of new access points from other wireless vendors, we are taking another step forward to make wireless access points as standards-based as light bulbs,” said Steve Parker, enterprise wireless product line manager, 3Com. “The differentiation of wireless switch solutions focuses increasingly on the management and security of the wireless switch itself, as well as on the comprehensiveness of secure, converged network solutions. Customers will benefit the most from enhancing their multi-vendor networks with standards-based access points, and knowing that older and newer access points alike will work with each other.”
Investment Protection and Future Migration Path for Secure, Converged Networks
The new software update for the 3Com® Wireless Access Point 8750, 8250 and 7250 helps 3Com customers achieve the benefits of a wireless switch solution without swapping out these standalone access points. It provides investment protection and a cost-effective migration path for its customers who anticipate securely converging voice applications onto an integrated wired/wireless LAN (local area network). Customers who purchased these 3Com wireless access points prior to 3Com’s delivery of its wireless switch solution will be the primary beneficiaries of the new software.
Administering these standalone access points used to require attending to each access point, but the new approach of centrally managing the products saves time and money for customers of large-scale wireless LANs. These legacy access points join the 3Com Wireless Managed Access Point 2750 – also known as a MAP – as the transmitting devices centrally managed and strategically scattered across a building or campus.
In addition to the use of the 3Com wireless switch system in corporate headquarters, 3Com also plans to sell a new branch office / remote office wireless switch solution later this year to round out 3Com’s wireless switch product line. 3Com continues to collaborate with Trapeze Networks for developing new-generation, standards-based wireless products. Moreover, 3Com wireless products work on virtually any Layer 2 or Layer 3 network without reconfiguration of the wired network backbone.
Enhanced WPA2 Security in 3Com OfficeConnect Wireless Products
Continuing as a leader in wireless security, 3Com is one of the first vendors to ship WPA2 security on such a broad range of 11g products. 3Com continues to enhance its wireless products for all types of mobile users, whether in businesses, airports, government offices, colleges, schools, hospitals, manufacturing facilities or other professional facilities. The new WPA2 support provides the latest and strongest standards-based security to protect wireless access. The products that now support WPA2 include the following:
- OfficeConnect Wireless 108Mbps 11g PoE Access Point
- OfficeConnect Wireless 108Mbps 11g XJACK® PC Card
- OfficeConnect Wireless 54Mbps 11g Travel Router
- OfficeConnect Wireless 54Mbps 11g Compact USB Adapter
Availability
The software update for legacy wireless access point support in the wireless switch is now available on 3Com’s Web site. The software update with WPA2 support is also now available on 3Com’s Web site.
NOTES TO EDITORS
About 3Com Corporation
3Com Corporation (Nasdaq: COMS) is a leading provider of secure, converged voice and data networking solutions for enterprises of all sizes. 3Com offers a broad line of innovative products backed by world class sales, service and support, which excel at delivering business value for its customers. When customers exercise choice, their choice is 3Com. For further information, please visit www.3com.com, or the press site www.3com.com/pressbox.
Copyright © 2005. 3Com Corporation. 3Com, OfficeConnect, XJACK and the 3Com logo are registered trademarks and Exercise Choice is a trademark of 3Com Corporation. All other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective holders.
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