3Com simplifies connecting small offices with router, VPN security solutions

Following its introduction of new router solutions for enterprise customers last month, 3Com Corporation (Nasdaq: COMS) today delivered new enterprise remote office router solutions, featuring the 3Com Router 3000, and introduced new small business security and router solutions, featuring the 3Com OfficeConnect VPN Firewall and the OfficeConnect Secure Router.

These advanced, yet easy-to-use solutions simplify the ways that small offices - either enterprise remote sites or standalone small offices/small businesses - connect to the Internet and to other sites securely and cost-effectively.

"3Com`s small office solutions come at the right time as customers are increasingly trying to strike a better balance among features, ease of use and cost of technology, while VPN security technology is poised to continue to grow in significance in the small business market," said Kneko Burney, chief market strategist, In-Stat/MDR.

"3Com`s new small office solutions are well-positioned and offer the same ease-of-use and reliability to meet small office requirements as 3Com has done repeatedly with its other small office switch and wireless products."

"As a long-time leader in the small to medium business market, we understand how to develop the right solutions that work best for small offices and how to integrate these solutions with 3Com`s other scalable solutions for enterprise customers," said Campbell Morrison, director, product management, 3Com Corporation. "We`ve ensured that all of the qualities that have come to signify 3Com solutions - the high quality, reliability, compatibility, affordability and intuitive user features - are validated in the new small office solutions we are announcing today."

The 3Com Router 3000, which includes three router models with different wide area network (WAN) interfaces, provides the following benefits that emerge from meeting small office requirements for connectivity and security:

* Solves complexity issues of connecting remote sites to branch offices and headquarters, using a variety of public and private WAN interfaces;

* Protects data that travels between remote office locations;

* Easy-to-use and reliable solution for connecting to the Internet and back into the local area network for both local and wide area connectivity in an integrated, standards-based system;

* Supports more advanced services, such as traffic prioritisation (QoS), IP and IPX routing, advanced filtering and multicast support to assure the most efficient way to handle data, voice and content delivery; and

* Specifically in vertical markets, connects small school buildings, remote healthcare facility sites, small government offices and remote offices of banks securely and affordably at locations with little or no on-site IT support.

The 3Com OfficeConnect VPN Firewall and the OfficeConnect Secure Router, a small office/home office (SOHO) router, are for smaller offices that utilise broadband connections (cable or DSL) or already have WAN service in place. These locations typically don`t require as many features (such as IP multicast and quality of service) as the Router 3000 family offers, but need an easy-to-use, plug-n-play security device to ensure data protection while conducting business through WAN connections to customers, partners, suppliers and other constituents.

The 3Com Router 3000 family is a series of fixed form-factor routers, the second in a range of 3Com routers that were first introduced in September with the Router 5000, a mid-range set of routers designed to offer enhanced WAN and secure Internet services. Utilising a desktop design, the Router 3000s are easy to install in a remote office as well as easy to maintain and manage. Like the Router 5000s, the Router 3000s come equipped with optimal operating memory, routing and security features and applications already built in. These routers have also been incorporated into 3Com`s small office solutions that leverage switch, gateway, wireless, telephony and security technologies to create a complete and integrated network of communication tools and applications for optimising small office operations and service.

The OfficeConnect VPN Firewall provides security for small offices to prevent unauthorised user access and block denial of service attacks and other online attacks. Designed for small businesses with remote sites and workers, the VPN firewall has simple setup wizards and an intuitive Web browser interface for easy installation to help secure business connections across the Internet. The OfficeConnect Secure Router allows up to 253 users to economically share secure Internet access through an existing cable or DSL modem. This router also includes security features and is easy to install and use.

The 3Com Router 3000 series is now available to be ordered. Each of the three models, including the 3Com Router 3016, 3Com Router 3013 and 3Com Router 3012, is priced at $895 (US list) per unit. All of the routers have the same router software base, but are distinguished by the WAN interfaces each offers.

The OfficesConnect VPN Firewall is now available and is priced at $395 (US list). The OfficeConnect Secure Router is now available and is priced at $155 (US list).