3Com is a manufacturer best known for its computer network infrastructure products. The company was founded in 1979 by Robert Metcalfe and is headquartered in Marlborough, Massachusetts, Massachusetts. The name 3Com comes from the company s focus on Computers, Communication and Compatibility .
Local area network interface cards, switches, firewalls
Wide area network routers
Wireless access points, adapters, and connectivity products
Internet access gateways, both wired and wireless
Modems
Network management applications
Computer security platforms
IP Telephony applications including PBX and CTI solutions. 3Com s Telecommunications solutions utilize VoIP and Session Initiation Protocol (SIP).
= History =
Founded in 1979 by the Robert_Metcalfe of Ethernet, 3Com began making Ethernet adaptor cards for IBM PCs and a range of software and PC-based equipment to provide shared services over a Local area network using Xerox Network Services protocols:
3+Share file and printer sharing.
3+Mail e-mail.
3+Remote for routing XNS over a PC serial port.
NetConnect for routing XNS between Ethernets.
(MultiConnect) was a chassis-based multi-port 10Base2 Ethernet repeater.
3Server, a server-grade PC for running 3+ services.
Etherterm terminal emulation.
Etherprobe LAN analysis software.
3Com s expansion beyond its original base of PC and thin Ethernet products began in 1987 when it merged with Bridge Communications. This provided a range of equipment based on Motorola 68000 processors and using XNS protocols compatibly with 3Com s Etherterm PC software.
CS/1, CS/200 commmunication servers ( terminal servers )
Ethernet bridges and XNS routers
GS/1-X.25 X.25 gateway
CS/1-SNA SNA gateway
NCS/1 network control software running on a Sun2.
They acquired:
BICC Data Networks in 1992
Star-Tek in 1993
Synernetics in 1993
Centrum in 1994
NiceCom in 1994
AccessWorks, Sonix Communications, Primary Access and Chipcom in 1995
Axon (company) and OnStream Networks in 1996.
TippingPoint in 2005
They merged with U.S. Robotics in 1997, which included Palm, Inc.
In 2003 3Com sold its CommWorks Corporation subsidiary to UTStarcom The CommWorks Corporation subsidiary was based in Rolling Meadows, Illinois, and developed wireline telecommunications and wireless infrastructure technologies.
= See also =
3Station
=References=
= External links =
[http://www.3com.com/ 3Com Corporation]
[http://www.3com.com/voip/voice-over-ip.html Voice over IP]
==Data==
[http://biz.yahoo.com/ic/12/12475.html Yahoo! - 3Com Corporation Company Profile]