3Com unveils advanced WAN Switch

3Com Corporation has announced the PathBuilder S400 WAN convergence switch, an all-in-one wide area network (WAN) system that integrates virtual private networks (VPNs), voice/data convergence and multi-protocol routing. The new product is part of 3Com`s family of switched WAN platforms that address the expanding needs of enterprises for solutions that support e-business, call centers and other converged network applications.

3Com SA`s pre sales engineer, Henk van Eck points out that the PathBuilder S400 switch planned for release in the second half of this year, adds to 3Com`s range of voice-over-frame, voice-over-IP, voice-over-ATM and tunnel switching products, by delivering VPN tunnel switching and voice in the same device.

"The PathBuilder S400 switch is also integral to 3Com`s growing relationships with managed network service providers who can deploy the new solution along with 3Com`s other PathBuilder and NETBuilder WAN switches and routers to deliver a new generation of capabilities to enterprise customers," he says.

The PathBuilder S400 system supports secure, integrated voice/data applications, providing enterprises with a single, flexible platform for cost-effectively migrating from one kind of network to another (e.g. routed network to VPN), as well as supporting multiple network types simultaneously.

The system delivers high-speed, high availability site-to-site connectivity. By supporting inexpensive and secure connections to public IP networks for tunneling long distance connections over the Internet and using bandwidth more efficiently, the system can cut monthly telecommunications costs by 50 percent or more, van Eck adds.

"Customers get future-proofing protection by having VPNs, voice and routing, as well as dial back-up for high availability - all on the same platform," said Frank Fuller, business line manager, 3Com`s Network Systems Business Unit. "Customers may not need every aspect of the solution on day one but it is a wise business decision to install a system designed to upgrade easily as requirements expand."

3Com`s new PathBuilder S400 WAN convergence switch delivers complete connectivity flexibility to both enterprise customers and service providers who are looking to converge voice and data on their networks. The flexibility includes support for all major WAN interfaces.

Van Eck says that in addition, the S400 switch has exceptional scalability, supporting up to 12 analog voice ports and E1 digital voice connectivity. For service providers, the platform offers an optional integrated V.90 service modem for simplified platform remote management.

Profile of an Enterprise Location "The PathBuilder S400 switch is ideally suited for sites with E1 or multi-E1 bandwidth requirements," he adds. "Sites that run significant inter-office voice traffic and fax services will find the cost saving especially compelling."

Virtual Private Networks

• The PathBuilder S400 WAN convergence switch supports 256 simultaneous site-to-site and client-to-site, secure IP tunnels using standards-based tunneling technology.

• The switch supports the two key VPN clients, Microsoft Windows PPTP client and 3Com`s Dynamic Access VPN client (IPSec).

• Built-in 3Com application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) for hardware-based encryption give customers the scalability to support wire-speed E1 and multi-E1 bandwidth at both Data Encryption Standard (DES) and 3DES encryption levels.

• The switch offers a host of security capabilities, including an ICSA-certified firewall to protect a location from outside attack.

• Just like 3Com`s other VPN and routing platforms, the PathBuilder S400 switch runs 3Com`s Enterprise OS WAN software, ensuring full standards-based interoperability and simplifying administration.

Voice Convergence

• The PathBuilder S400 switch provides scalable voice connectivity for up to 12 analog phones, fax machines and digital/analog PBX systems.

• The solution supports Voice over IP (VoIP), Fax over IP (FoIP) and Voice over Frame Relay (VoFR) along with standards-based voice compression to enable voice calls to be integrated across the data network.

• The PathBuilder S400 switch`s advanced Quality of Service features enable the convergence of the voice and data traffic with minimal impact to voice quality

• The PathBuilder S400 switch is fully interoperable with both models of the PathBuilder S200 voice access switch, which supports standards-based VoIP

• The PathBuilder S400 switch provides WAN connections for a small enterprise that deploys LAN telephony with the 3Com NBX( 100 Communications System over single UTP wired points.

• The PathBuilder S400 switch complements 3Com`s ATM WAN convergence solutions: PathBuilder S3x0, S600, and S700 WAN switch, which consolidate voice, data, and video traffic onto one or multiple E1 lines for more efficient use of bandwidth.

Multi-protocol Routing/Policy Switching

• The PathBuilder S400 switch supports 3Com`s proven multi-protocol routing suite. Besides support for legacy protocols, the PathBuilder S400 also enables policy switching, which is the ability to switch traffic out over Frame Relay, VPNs or E1 lines based on the traffic type. Policy switching allows network managers to decide the quality of service and cost of that service by traffic type. The platform also supports video transmissions via advanced IP protocols, such as Multicast IP routing.

• Working in many of the world`s largest OSPF networks today, 3Com`s NETBuilder( family of routers complement the PathBuilder S400 switch, which runs the same routing code that the NETBuilder routers do.