New Stackable Switch Helps Small and Medium Enterprise Customers Migrate to Secure Converged IP Communications; Eliminates More Cost and Complexity than Competitive Offers
3Com Corporation today introduced the industry’s first tackable LAN (local area network) switch designed specifically to address small-to-medium enterprise customers’ growing need for robust security and support of Voice over IP (VoIP) and other convergence applications. The new 3Com Switch 4500 family combines standards-based security for user authentication; support for the new TippingPoint X505, the first integrated security platform built upon Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) technology; and dynamic “plug-and-play” support for multiple vendors’ VoIP services.
“Stackable switches are back in vogue and have become part of the security fabric of networks, as well as enablers for IP communications,” said Zeus Kerravala, senior analyst and vice president, Yankee Group. “The ability of the Switch 4500 to recognize any VoIP service provides unique value to customers who prefer best-of-breed technology for converged solutions.”
Designed using open industry standards to avoid burdening customers with the restrictions of proprietary features, the 3Com Switch 4500 is a cost-effective, easy-to-use, managed 10/100 switch – available in 26-port and 50-port models. It includes extensive Layer 2 switching and dynamic Layer 3 routing functionality, which provide the “intelligence” necessary for today’s demanding business networks. With models that include cost-effective Power over Ethernet, the Switch 4500 is ideal for converged networks. Additionally, it is interoperable in multi-vendor networks, helping a business preserve its existing infrastructure investments.
“We offer innovative solutions at superior business value to enable small and medium enterprise customers to migrate to secure converged networks supporting business-critical applications and services,” said Scott Hilton, vice president of enterprise product line management, 3Com. “The Switch 4500 enhances 3Com’s edge-to-core LAN switch portfolio that also includes 3Com’s premium stackable switch, the Switch 5500, as well as the modular Switch 7700 and the Terabit-capacity Switch 8800 for large networks spanning thousands of users.”
The new switch family has intelligent quality of service (QoS) features to automatically prioritize voice traffic, along with Power over Ethernet models ideal for running effective VoIP solutions. Auto-VLAN assignment for voice calls further improves voice quality and security, optimizing secure converged IP communications over Ethernet-based networks. Not only are 3Com IP phones pre-programmed into the 3Com switch for dynamic configuration and efficient management, but other vendors’ IP phones are pre-programmed into the Switch 4500 as well. In addition, Switch 4500 PWR models can power standards-based IP phones and wireless access points from 3Com or other vendors, eliminating the need for costly re-wiring or “power bricks.”
While providing scalable connectivity and the enterprise-class management needed to run a network, the switch also supports 802.1X authentication, securing the network from unauthorized intruders and tracking general user access history. The switch also supports device authentication through RADA (RADIUS Authentication of Device Access) for authentication of devices that don’t support 802.1X. Small-to-medium enterprise networks combining the Switch 4500 with the TippingPoint X505 will benefit from fast, proactive isolation or “quarantining” of infected computers, along with intrusion prevention, stateful inspection firewall, IPSec VPN, bandwidth management and Web content filtering of the sophisticated TippingPoint X505 solution.
Pricing and Availability
The Switch 4500 is now available worldwide. The following are the different models available in the new switch family. The Switch 4500 26-port is priced at $1,095 (USD). The Switch 4500 50-port is priced at $1,995 (USD). The Switch 4500 PWR 26-port is priced at $2,295 (USD). The Switch 4500 PWR 50-port is priced at $4,295 (USD).
About 3Com Corporation
3Com Corporation (NASDAQ: COMS) is a leading provider of secure, converged voice and data networking solutions for enterprises of all sizes. 3Com offers a broad line of innovative products backed by world class sales, service and support, which excel at delivering business value for its customers. Through its TippingPoint division, 3Com is the leading provider of network-based intrusion prevention systems that deliver in-depth application protection, infrastructure protection, and performance protection for corporate enterprises, government agencies, service providers and academic institutions. For further information, please visit www.3com.com, or the press site www.3com.com/pressbox.
For more information, please contact: Utaiwan Teachajaroenkul
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Pr Plus Two Co., Ltd. 3Com (Thailand) Co., Ltd.
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