3Com Corporation today announced a higher-density version of its easy-to-use, feature-leading Fast Ethernet switch that can prioritise important traffic as it crosses the network.
The new 48-port SuperStack 3 Switch 4400 is the industry`s first 48-port switch with Layer 4 traffic classification, fulfilling the promise of better business application performance. 3Com also announced today Version 2.0 software for its SuperStack 3 Switch 4400 family, increasing reliability and plug-and-play features of business networks.
"3Com is committed to innovative 10/100 solutions that offer enterprise customers the rich and reliable features and high performance they require. In doing this, we remain focused on delivering solutions that are easier to own and more affordable," said Karen Oddey, vice president of marketing, 3Com`s Business Networks Company.
"At a time when performance and functionality have to be combined with affordability, this solution makes great business sense. The new 48-port SuperStack 3 4400 is a tremendous boost for customers seeking higher densities and traffic control from advanced traffic classification. And the US list price of $1 700 is less than Cisco`s switch in this class. 3Com wins on price-to-performance and makes the customer`s decision easier."
Tighter control of the network means that businesses can monitor and prioritise the traffic running over their networks. The results include ensuring optimal performance for business-critical applications, high quality of network response and intelligent balance of voice and data traffic. The voice-ready capabilities of the SuperStack 3 Switch 4400 are ideal for businesses that are migrating to a 3Com NBX business telephone system.
The success of the 24-port SuperStack 3 Switch 4400, which was launched in June 2001, has demonstrated 3Com`s ability to deliver innovative solutions and win customer deals. The new switch provides twice the density and, ultimately, lowers the total cost for customers. Combining the SuperStack 3 Switch 4400 switches with 3Com`s variety of Gigabit Ethernet switches, 3Com offers a winning set of enterprise LAN infrastructure solutions.
3Com also announced today the SuperStack 3 Switch 4400 switch family`s Version 2.0 software that increases enterprise switch reliability and makes the SuperStack 3 Switch 4400s even easier to set-up and use. Networks based on 3Com switches are more reliable because of new support for the 802.1w Rapid Spanning Tree protocol, which is an industry standard.
Installation of the switches is quicker because of a feature that automatically sets the device`s IP address, which is the first step in setting up a network. In addition, a "Webcache redirection" capability in the Version 2.0 software facilitates network integration of a SuperStack 3 Webcache device to speed up Web access when used in conjunction with a SuperStack 3 Switch 4400.
3Com Layer 4 capabilities independently validated
Independent testing by The Tolly Group recently confirmed the wire-speed performance of the Switch 4400 and validated 3Com SuperStack 3 Switch 4400 Layer 4 traffic classification technology.
"As congestion builds and data types contend for bandwidth," reported Tolly Group, "the proper mechanisms need to be in place to ensure delay-sensitive traffic gets the bandwidth it needs, when it needs it." The SuperStack 3 Switch 4400`s support for Quality of Service (QoS) "emerged as the key differentiator for the switch to support delay-sensitive traffic," such as voice traffic on the network, according to the report. Configuration of QoS prioritisation takes only six steps using 3Com Network Supervisor Software.
Underscoring the importance of 10/100 switching to the company, 3Com also announced that it has shipped over one million SuperStack 3 Switch 3300s. 3Com`s strength in 10/100 LAN switching continues to grow as 3Com delivers innovative new features that are easy to use. Businesses with older 10/100 network products can gain the benefits of tighter network control and higher optimisation by simply adding the new 3Com 10/100 switches to their existing networks.
Pricing and availability
The 3Com SuperStack 3 Switch 4400 48-port, available now for shipment, is priced at $3 295. The 24-port Switch 4400, announced and shipping since June, is priced at $1 595. The Version 2.0 software for the SuperStack 3 Switch 4400 family is a free upgrade available today at www.3com.com.
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3Com is the 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 340 000 000 Ethernet connections. 3Com employs 6 000 people in locations worldwide and has headquarters in Santa Clara, California. For further information, please visit www.3com.com, or the press site www.3com.com/pressbox.
3Com, NBX and SuperStack are registered trademarks of 3Com Corporation. All other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective holders.
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