3Com has released three new local area network (LAN) switches, and a new version of its management software, which now includes quality of service (QOS) features.
"As an organisation, we want to set new standard in the LAN environment, and specifically the LAN switching environment," commented Chris van Niekerk, country manager, 3Com, at the launch of the new switches at a function in Morningside yesterday.
The SuperStack 3 Switch 4300 is the networking vendor`s high-density offering, sporting 48 ports. Having taken flak for performance on the 4300`s predecessor, 3Com blessed this version with wire-speed performance and a total of 17Gbps capacity.
The 4400 switch is being pushed by 3Com as the next generation of stackable switches. Capable of connecting up to eight units, a full rack can offer up to 192 ports out front, plus eight out the back. The system can be addressed through a single IP address, and connections can be trunked across the stack.
The 4400 is also capable of QOS management right up to layer 4, allowing traffic to be prioritised, blocked or rerouted depending on port numbers.
The final new switch introduced by 3Com, the 4005, is a 12-slot modular switch that offers high redundancy, as well as numerous connectivity options. The system supports from eight to 96 fast Ethernet ports, and from one to 12 Gigabit Ethernet ports, although users can mix and match 10/100 and 1000 cards.
Processing of L3 traffic is distributed to the individual modules` processors, thus avoiding single point of failure and bottlenecks.
All of the switches ship with version three of 3Com`s Network Supervisor (previously known as Transcend Network Supervisor). The management system maps both devices and the links between the devices. "3Com`s Network Supervisor offers interpretation rather than presentation," commented Gary Boniface, 3Com SA`s services operations manager. "The goal is simplicity."
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