3Com introduces Baseline Plus switches for SMB unmanaged networks

3Com SA has introduced the 3Com Baseline Plus, a new family of easy-to-use local area network (LAN) switches that take unmanaged networks - common among many SMBs - to the next level of enterprise-level, network intelligence.

The new Baseline Plus Switches are designed to add "smart" switching such as link aggregation, virtual LAN (VLAN) segmentation, traffic prioritisation and traffic port monitoring to SMB solutions.

For example, 3Com Baseline Switch 2816-SFP Plus adds Gigabit Ethernet performance to business networks that don`t need sophisticated management capabilities, while at the same time increasing control and enhancing the intelligence of the network.

"The delivery of an unmanaged Gigabit switch with intelligence to configure a network under 500 users could cause a ripple effect in the industry because business customers can now get more enterprise-class features in a switched network, but still at relatively the same price as traditional unmanaged switches," says Kneko Burney, senior analyst, Instat/MDR.

"This type of intelligent, unmanaged switch comes at a good time for businesses planning to upgrade from 10/100 networks to Gigabit. With the Baseline Plus line, 3Com is fulfilling its vision for highly simplified SMB networks that can add high-performance network intelligence to accommodate online user differences over time."

Adds Wolfgang Held, network consultant at 3Com SA: "We`ve shaped the new Baseline Plus solution to solve SMB customer problems. It resolves key issues such as poor use of network bandwidth, network-dragging traffic bottlenecks, the possibility of undetected `suspect` data, and adverse effects on business-critical applications."

The Baseline Switch 2816-SFP is 3Com`s first "smart", Web configurable Gigabit switch, offering high levels of functionality and flexibility in an unmanaged switch form factor. To eliminate network traffic bottlenecks, the switch has the high-speed switching capacity of a wirespeed, Gigabit switch with sixteen 10/100/1000 ports and four SFP ports for fibre connectivity.

To help customers increase efficiency in their network operations to boost application performance and save costs in the long-term, the new 3Com smart switch allows VLAN segmentation, which is a common enterprise-class feature grouping users based on their data traffic exchange requirements. The traffic flow is directed to meet the needs of the business.

Network efficiency is also increased and with ability to set priorities in the network for mission-critical traffic, the network is able to run more efficiently and, therefore, reduce the chance for overload which is certainly a concern to small businesses.

Lastly, the intuitive Web Management Interface of the 3Com Baseline Switch 2816-SFP Plus offers a virtual switch graphic, which visually mirrors the actual unit. Managers can remotely perform at-a-glance checks on the status of the switch.