3Com Pushes Tri-mode WLAN

MARLBOROUGH, Mass. -— 3Com Corporation today expanded its range of wireless solutions with new tri-mode wireless LAN access points and client adapters to accomplish a critical objective in its enterprise wireless strategy — combining advanced wireless security with integrated products supporting all three Wi-Fi standards of 802.11a, 802.11b and 802.11g at a competitively affordable price. Migrating to a tri-mode wireless LAN gives users with different standards-based wireless PC cards and PCI adapters reliable network access at multiple speeds and frequencies all on the same network. Enterprise customers who purchase 3Com's new solutions obtain the investment protection of owning highly flexible and secure wireless systems. 3Com is one of the few vendors that are offering this type of tri-mode wireless solution.

"As Wi-Fi standards and products evolve, enterprises face the challenge of continuously migrating to the latest technologies while simultaneously protecting existing investments. The ability to upgrade easily and cost-effectively migrate to the latest technology is a weakness of current Wi-Fi systems. According to Yankee Group's Business WLAN Survey 2003, only 50% of WLAN-enabled organizations were very or somewhat satisfied with the ability to upgrade their wireless LANs. 3Com's new products address this issue by integrating the three Wi-Fi standards into a single platform," Sarah Kim, analyst at the Yankee Group.

"We have created opportunities for our users to take advantage of the benefits of all three wireless standards, while preserving customer investments and providing a clear path of upgrades," said Fred Geiger, director, wireless product management, 3Com Corporation.

With wireless security having been addressed by new advanced security protocols, such as WPA, AES and 802.1x, the new 3Com® 802.11a/b/g products provide customers with a highly secure and flexible wireless LAN solution. The integration of wireless standards allows for a variety of enterprise wireless applications to be supported without the obstacles of past incompatibilities and lack of support.

3Com Corp.