3Com SA has brought industry-leading reliability, simplicity and manageability to wireless networking by delivering the 3Com AirConnect 11Mbps Wireless LAN. Available immediately, 3Com`s high-speed wireless LAN solution enables companies to improve their organisational productivity by extending their wired networks beyond the desktop to conference rooms, lobbies, and other public spaces.
The 3Com AirConnect solution is comprised of wireless access points and notebook PC Cards. Affixed to a ceiling or wall, the access point acts as a bridge between the wired network and up to 63 simultaneous wireless PCs, explains 3Com SA product manager, Gavin Levin. 3Com also sells an AirConnect Starter Pack, consisting of an access point and three PC Cards and plans to offer an AirConnect PCI Card for desktop PCs.
"As the workforce becomes more mobile and dependent on continuous access to e-mail and other mission critical applications, wireless LANs will emerge as the next billion dollar networking industry," says Levin. "In the corporate workplace, wireless LANs will be used primarily as an extension of the wired network. 3Com takes the mystery out of wireless LANs by giving network managers the ability to install, configure and manage the AirConnect solution in the same way they would any other networking equipment."
Lowers Total Cost of Ownership
Levin points out that unlike other wireless LAN products, AirConnect products were designed to reduce the time and cost of implementing, using and managing a wireless network, while simplifying connectivity to minimise support calls from mobile users. "Simplicity and reliability are critical factors when implementing new technology in any business," he adds. "For institutions such as universities, networks need to deliver services without wreaking havoc on limited IT resources and staff."
The AirConnect solution includes a Site Survey Utility to help IT professionals with the some times complex task of properly placing access points to achieve desired coverage and performance. 3Com also saves customers time and money with its unique PowerBASE-T module, which provides power to access points via the Ethernet cable connecting them to the network eliminating the costly process of running electricity to each location.
Simple Web-based Wireless Network Management
Once in use, network managers can easily monitor their wireless networks from a station on the wired infrastructure, a wireless workstation or via the serial port on the back of each AirConnect access point, explains Levin.
3Com offers a variety of simple management interfaces, including SNMP and Web support built into each AirConnect access point enabling network managers to monitor performance, change configurations or run diagnostics anywhere on the network by simply launching their Web browser.
In addition, AirConnect equipment can be seamlessly managed with 3Com`s Transcend Network Control Services 1.1 for Windows NT, a tightly integrated suite of Web-based applications that works with a variety of network management platforms. By offering a single, unified solution for both wired and wireless networks, Transcend Network Control Services allows users to manage their wireless networks just like they manage their wired networks.
For the mobile professional, Levin says that 3Com simplifies wireless connectivity with a rich set of tools that monitor their signal strength, signal quality and data rate. 3Com also helps users avoid configuration trouble with DynamicAccess Mobile Connection Manager, which allows network managers to set up and distribute standard configuration profiles. With a click of a button, users can easily switch between LAN, modem and wireless environments, as well as choose different network resources such as printers based on where they roam on the corporate campus.
Standards-based Compatibility
Levin says that the 3Com AirConnect 11Mbps Wireless LAN is based on the IEEE 802.11b standard, which offers speeds over five times faster than the original 802.11 standard. 3Com is also a founding member of the Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance (WECA), an organisation dedicated to ensuring cross-vendor interoperability of 802.11b wireless LAN equipment through the use of certification testing and a Wi-FiTM compatibility logo. AirConnect products have been submitted to WECA for the first round of Wi-Fi certification.
With over 300 million customer connections worldwide, 3Com Corporation connects more people and organisations to information and each other in more innovative, simple and reliable ways than any other networking company. 3Com delivers e-Networking solutions through information access products and network systems to enterprises, small businesses, consumers, carriers and network service providers. 3Com — More connected; For further information, visit 3Com‘s World Wide Web site at www.3com.comor the press site at www.3com.com/pressbox
Share
