3com® small and medium business networking

Small and Medium Business NetworkingSOLUTIONS GUIDE

3Com® Small and MediumBusiness Solutions

3COM® SMALL AND MEDIUM BUSINESS SOLUTIONS GUIDE 1

Enterprise Class Solutions for

Small and Medium Businesses

As the pioneer of business networking,

3Com is one of the leading providers of

communications solutions for small and

medium businesses. More than any other

vendor, we deliver superior business value

by making high-performance networks

affordable, practical, and simple. Our

award-winning products give you the

freedom to grow your business by

offering the competitive advantages of

large enterprise solutions, but without

the complexity or high cost of ownership.

For more information on 3Com’s solutions for small and mediumbusiness, please visit www.3com.com

SECTION 1Simple, High Speed Networking ........................................................................................2How to connect your office.

Managed, High-Performance Networking ........................................................................6How to upgrade your network in larger facilities.

Linking Sites & Remote Users...........................................................................................12How to link multiple sites into a seamless communications infrastructure.

Wireless Networking.........................................................................................................16How to use wireless networking to connect your office cost effectively and securely.

Secure Networking............................................................................................................20How to safeguard your organization from today’s online hazards.

IP Telephony.......................................................................................................................24How to dramatically lower costs and improve productivity by integrating your voice and data services into one system.

Contents

This guide will introduce you to 3Com’s broad portfolio of small and mediumbusiness solutions. You will find complete systems for every need and budget,from bustling multi-site organizations to home offices. Every product is engineeredto be effective, easy to use, and economical.

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A leading vendor of small-business net-works, 3Com offers complete families ofaward-winning, standards-based solutionsthat are engineered for simplicity,affordability, and performance. Theydeliver trouble-free operation and canbe installed in 15 minutes or less.

The 3Com OfficeConnect® line ofswitches has a solution for every needand budget. OfficeConnect 10/100switches are ideal for basic networks.They automatically deliver FastEthernet speeds depending on the con-nections, and require no administrationfor “connect and forget” operation.

For greater speeds, but with the sameeconomy and simplicity, choose anOfficeConnect 10/100/1000 switch toobtain the Gigabit Ethernet bandwidthused by large corporations. This per-formance accelerates even the largestapplications, making digital imaging,videoconferencing or the sharing oflarge files quick and easy.

To link all users to the Internet, 3Comoffers a variety of easy-to-use routersand modems for cable, DSL, or dial-upconnections. 3Com solutions can supportup to 253 users, as well as deliver fire-wall security to safeguard confidentialdata from hackers.


3Com SolutionObtaining an Effective, Economical & Simple Network

Today’s small businesses need to link computers, printers, scanners, and otherdevices into local area networks (LANs). They must connect users to each otherand the Internet to access and share applications, e-mail, and other resources.Their networks need to be simple and affordable, but deliver all the competitiveadvantages of systems used by larger organizations.

2 3COM® SMALL AND MEDIUM BUSINESS SOLUTIONS GUIDE

Simple, High-Speed Networking“Connect and Forget”

SECTION 1

The Problem

How Fast?Ethernet is the global standard for LANs. The capacity of an Ethernet connection to send and receive data is known as itsbandwidth. Ethernet offers three basicbandwidth capacities:

Ethernet: 10 megabits per second (Mbps)

Fast Ethernet: 100 Mbps

Gigabit Ethernet: 1000 Mbps

Switches distribute data throughout the network. Dual-speed switches can supportmore than one speed, and tri-speed devicessupport all three. If your organization hasmany users or relies on sophisticated applications, consider at least Fast Ethernetconnectivity. With a dual- or tri-speedswitch, you have reserve bandwidth to add users and applications as you grow.

Whether for small businesses, branch sites,or home offices, these networks must be:

AffordableSolutions should be economical withoutcostly features that small businesses do not need.

Plug-and-PlaySystems should install quickly, simply, andwithout technical expertise.

Effortless to OperateThe network should provide easy and trouble-free operation.

PowerfulThe LAN should offer the bandwidth to support all applications and needs.

ReliableThe network should offer rock solid reliability.

From a Proven VendorYour vendor should be committed to helpingyour business succeed.

3Com UnmanagedNetwork Solutions

3Com OfficeConnect Gigabit Switch 5

Installation andMaintenance Services

Wireless

Rackmount Switches

Desktop Switches

Routers

Clients

Incorporates Clients Switches, Routers, Wireless and Services:

3COM® SMALL AND MEDIUM BUSINESS SOLUTIONS GUIDE 54 3COM® SMALL AND MEDIUM BUSINESS SOLUTIONS GUIDE

Why Choose 3ComSolutions?

For Larger Offices

For demanding networking environ-ments, the roster of 3Com Baselineswitches features wirespeed, nonblock-ing performance, which improves accessto network resources. These solutionsalso offer capabilities like traffic priori-tization to ensure the timely delivery ofsuch time-sensitive applications as IPtelephony or real-time video. Offeringunsurpassed ease of use, they can bedeployed quickly by untrained staff.Their autosensing ports even automati-cally select the fastest speeds availableon links.

Baseline Switch 28XX systems provide10/100/1000 links for enterprise-classbandwidth. The Baseline Switch 22XXplatforms deliver 10/100 connectivity,as well as two Gigabit Ethernet ports.Baseline Switch 20XX solutions offer10/100 links for smaller offices.

To further meet the needs of small busi-nesses, 3Com IntelliJack™ Switches arein-the-wall devices that transform anEthernet outlet into four switched10/100 LAN connections. These innova-tive solutions allow firms to affordablyand easily add connectivity to supportnew users and devices.

Industry-leading Simplicity3Com systems feature 15-minute installationfor plug and play operation, and require noongoing management.

Low Cost-of-Ownership3Com solutions are economical to buy andown. They have proven reliability and arebacked by an industry leading warranty.

Robust Performance3Com solutions deliver the bandwidth toenhance productivity and communications.Small businesses can deploy enterprise-classapplications without enterprise-class costsand complexity.

Future ProofingWith 10/100/1000 connectivity, 3Com systemsprovide the flexibility and scalability to addusers, resources, and applications easily,avoiding costly upgrades to support expansion.

Committed to Your NeedsWith a full portfolio of standards-based,end-to-end systems for small businesses,3Com delivers solutions with world-classquality, reliability, and ease-of-use.

Install 3Com Solutions in15 Minutes or LessNetwork Testing Labs, an independent firmthat evaluates networking products, tested3Com Baseline and OfficeConnect switchesand Cable/DSL Routers. It found that all canbe set up in 15 minutes or less, even by inex-perienced installers. This ease of deploymentis another reason why 3Com solutions arefavored by small businesses.

Simple, High-Speed Networking

3Com BaselineSwitch 2800 Family

3Com Gigabit NetworkSolutions


StackableSwitches

Managed SwitchesSmart Switches

UnmanagedSwitches

Incorporates Desktop, Rack Mount, Managed and UnmanagedSwitches and Services


Managed, High-Performance Networking“Connect and Accelerate”

SECTION 2

The Problem Obtaining a Powerful, Easily Managed Network

Many small businesses and branch sites require advanced networking services. To rapidly transfer large files, aggregate departments and workgroups, link busyservers, and deliver high-bandwidth applications, they need high-speed, function-richnetworks that are easy to manage. Yet most managed networks are costly to ownand operate. Small enterprises need solutions that provide the power and control oflarge-enterprise systems, but without the expense or difficulty.

Whether for small businesses or large branchsites, these networks must be:

RobustThe network should deliver the bandwidthand functionality to support the mostdemanding applications.

Easy to ManageFirms should be able to control their net-working services without requiring a costly IT staff.

Economical to OwnIdeal solutions will be affordable, simple toinstall, and reliable, lowering their cost ofownership.

ScalablePlatforms should expand easily and inexpen-sively to support new applications or users.

DependableSystems should be standards-based to providetrouble-free operation and avoid the expenseand complexity of proprietary technologies.

From a Trusted VendorSelect a vendor that is highly experienced inmeeting the needs of small businesses.

3Com Solution 3Com has over 2 decades’ of experienceproviding small businesses with stan-dards-based solutions which arerenowned in the industry for superiorperformance, simplicity, and value.3Com offers an industry-leading arrayof end-to-end systems that enable smallorganizations to meet their objectiveseffectively and affordably.

3Com’s family of Baseline Plus switchessets new standards for cost-effective, easily-managed Gigabit Ethernet performance. These systems supportsophisticated desktop applications, high-traffic servers, or network aggregationwith economy and simplicity. Theydeliver wirespeed throughput over copperand fiber links, as well as functionalitylike traffic prioritization and VLANs tosupport such time-sensitive traffic as real-time video and IP telephony.

The range of 3Com SuperStack® 3 Switch 4200 solutions offers wirespeed10/100 switching in resilient platforms that

are simple to control. With their high port-density, including two Gigabit Ethernetports for stacking or uplinks, these systemsare engineered to connect workgroups,servers, and desktops economically.

3Com SuperStack 3 Switch 3200 switchesoptimize network performance withLayer 3 switching, allowing workgroupsto be clustered more efficiently.Providing high-density 10/100 ports withGigabit Ethernet uplinks, these solutionsalso offer advanced security features tosafeguard data and resources from unau-thorized users.

To expand network connectivity withoutadditional cabling, 3Com IntelliJackswitches are unique, in-the-wall devicesthat transform an Ethernet wall outletinto four switched 10/100 LAN connec-tions. They are available as both managedand unmanaged devices, and offeradvanced capabilities like support forVLANs and traffic prioritization.

3Com SuperStack 3 Switch 4200 Family


For More Robust Performance

3Com offers networking solutions tailored for highly demanding work-group environments. The 3ComSuperStack 3 Switch 3870 platformsprovide up to 48 10/100/1000 auto-sensing Gigabit Ethernet ports, allowingdesktops to migrate to Gigabit Ethernetwhile retaining compatibility with slowerspeeds. These stackable, managed systems deliver scalability and supportVLANs, ensuring that present andfuture connectivity needs are metaffordably and securely.

To link desktops at Gigabit Ethernetspeeds over both copper and fibercabling, the 3Com Baseline Plus GigabitEthernet switches are a practical solution.With total switching capacity up to 32

Gigabits per second (Gbps) and supportfor traffic prioritization and VLANs,these devices offer small businesses theperformance and functionality onceaffordable only by larger enterprises.

To aggregate desktop switches into ahigh-speed enterprise infrastructure,the 3Com SuperStack 3 Switch 4900family provides multilayer GigabitEthernet switching in a versatile, scalable platform. Designed to lower thecommunication costs of organizationswith diverse and evolving bandwidthrequirements, these systems provide arobust networking core to meet themost demanding needs.

What are VLANs?VLANs, short for virtual LANs, are privatenetworks operating within the enterprisenetworking infrastructure. They allow usersand devices to be segmented by projects,departments, teams or functions, regardlessof where they physically connect to the net-work. All network traffic between theseusers and devices is contained within theVLAN. In addition to organizing employeesmore effectively, VLANs also offer securityadvantages. A SuperStack 3 Switch 3870,for example, can help ensure that onlyauthorized users can access resources andservers within the VLAN.



Ease-of-use3Com small-business solutions are specificallydesigned for simple and economical operation,even for non-technical users.

Superior Business Value3Com systems provide small businesses withthe competitive advantages of large systemswithout their costs, complexity, or manage-ment issues. Backed by an industry leadingwarranty, they are engineered for low cost ofownership.

Unrivalled Performance3Com solutions feature world-class perform-ance, reliability, and versatility, allowing smallbusinesses to deliver enterprise-class applica-tions rapidly and affordably.

ScalabilityThe unsurpassed scalability of 3Com small-business systems ensures that they will notbecome obsolete as organizations grow.

Unmatched Networking ExperienceAs a pioneer of business networking, 3Comprovides standards-based solutions with unri-valled service and support, all driven by theneeds of today’s small businesses. Built to thehighest standards, 3Com products delivertrouble free operation and long life.

Managed, High-Performance Networking

3Com SuperStack 3Switch 3870 48-port

3Com Managed NetworkSolutions


10/100 Switching

Access Points10/100/1000Switching

Routers

Incorporates managed switches, routers, wireless,network management, and services:

3Com offers a broad array of standards-based WAN solutions that meet theneeds of small businesses. Whether forhome offices or bustling facilities withlarge staffs, 3Com offers systems thatare cost-effective, simple to own, androbust.

The 3Com OfficeConnect ADSL Wire-less 11g Firewall Router is a completenetworking solution for small offices,offering bandwidth, economy, security,and ease of use. It features a shared DSL router that delivers economical,high-speed Internet access over plainphone lines. It also provides a 4-portFast Ethernet switch as well as an802.11g wireless access point, supply-ing a robust LAN via wired or wirelessconnections.

To ensure the Internet connection issecure, the OfficeConnect ADSLWireless 11g Firewall Router alsoincludes firewall capabilities to preventunauthorized users from entering thecompany network. Moreover, independ-ent tests have confirmed that even non-technical users can install this function-rich device within fifteen minutes,making it an ideal solution to provisionsites with versatile, business-class net-working and Internet access.


3Com Solution


Linking Sites & Remote Users“Connect and Control”

SECTION 3

The Problem Integrating All Employees & Internet Access into the Business Network

The networking needs of small businesses extend beyond their local area networks(LANs). Employees must access the Internet for information, resources, and e-mailwith customers and vendors. Many small businesses also have satellite offices oremployees working at home or on the road. These workers must communicate withthe main office to collaborate and share data. As a result, small businesses need cost-effective wide area networks (WANs) that integrate the workforce and Internetaccess into a cohesive communications infrastructure.

WANs that link main facilities, branch sites,remote workers and the Internet must be:

SharedAll employees at a site should share a singleconnection to the Internet, eliminating theneed to purchase and maintain multiple linesand IP addresses. Shared access makesInternet connectivity practical and affordablefor organizations of all sizes.

SecureA connection to the Internet and remotesites is also a door into your LAN for hackers.WAN solutions must be secure, permittingonly authorized users to access the companynetwork and its data.

High-speedTo avoid network congestion that underminesproductivity, WAN links must deliver large filesand applications rapidly, even when used bymultiple employees simultaneously.

Easy-to-useTo avoid ongoing maintenance costs, WANsolutions need to be reliable and simple toinstall and operate. At small sites and homeoffices, non-technical staff should be able todeploy devices in minutes.

Standards-basedWAN systems should be standards-based toavoid compatibility issues and the cost andcomplexity of proprietary technologies.

ScalableWAN platforms must be scalable to meetfuture needs. This ensures long life cyclesand strong return on investment.

3Com OfficeConnect ADSLWireless 11g Firewall Router


For More Demanding WANConnectivity

For high-performance WAN servicesbetween high-traffic sites, 3Com offersthe 3Com Router 3000 and Router 5000families of solutions. These platforms seta new standard for small-business WANconnectivity, delivering enterprise-classperformance without the costs or com-plexity of large corporate devices. Theywork with a variety of WAN interfacesand can control traffic to deliver themost advanced applications, includingreal-time voice and video.

To protect data traversing the Internet orprivate lines, 3Com routers provide suchsophisticated security functionality asVPNs and data encryption. Moreover,they interoperate with third-partydevices to protect existing investments.Use Router 3000 systems to provisionsmaller sites and a Router 5000 solutionat the main facility for extraordinaryscalability and resilience.

What is a WAN?WANs, short for wide area networks, extend networking services beyond your facility by linkingLANs to each other and the Internet. To build a WAN, you need to connect a routing device tothe network at each site. Users at every location will share the local connection, slashing costs.

The kind of routing device you need depends on your connection to the outside world. 3Comoffers modem solutions that link to dial-up, DSL or cable lines. DSL and cable links offer substan-tial bandwidth and are always open. Dial-up connectivity is much slower and available onlywhen the connection is manually established.

For sites with high volumes of WAN traffic, you require devices called a routers like 3ComRouter 3000 and 5000 solutions. Routers provide greater control over WAN services and can linkto the outside world via a variety of high-speed connections. They allow businesses to lease veryfast, dedicated lines between facilities. Private lines also eliminate the security concerns of usingpublic Internet links.


Practical3Com systems are more than technologies;they are complete solutions that deliver per-formance, simplicity, low cost of ownership,and long product cycles.

Powerful3Com platforms provide the performancethat small businesses require to competeeffectively with large enterprises. Their scala-bility ensures that networking needs are meteven as demand increases.

Secure3Com routers offer robust security function-ality to safeguard data, assets, and resourcesin today’s world.

AffordableFor the first time, 3Com WAN solutionsmake enterprise-class functionality and performance practical for small businesses.

Proven Interoperability3Com systems are interoperable in multi-vendor environments and link to many WANinterfaces. They adapt to your businessneeds, not the other way around.

Superior Engineering3Com engineers every product to deliversuperior business value. Every system is builtupon decades of experience in providingleading networking solutions.

Linking Sites & Remote Users

3Com Router 3000 Family


3Com Solution 3Com has long been a market-leadingvendor of wireless systems for small busi-nesses. 3Com offers an unsurpassed rangeof solutions, providing cost-effectivewireless connectivity for sites rangingfrom small offices to bustling facilities.All 3Com WLAN systems are standards-based and deliver the security needed tosafeguard even the most sensitive data.

The affordability and flexibility of 3ComOfficeConnect Wireless Access Pointsmakes them ideal for smaller sites. Withtheir industry-leading simplicity, theyallow small businesses to easily set uphigh-speed wireless networks in minutes.Organizations can choose 802.11b,802.11g, or 802.11a/b/g configurations.Featuring robust standards-basedencryption for outstanding security,these solutions offer a practical and eco-nomical alternative to wired networks.

To link laptop and desktop computersas well as other devices to WLANs,3Com offers a full range ofOfficeConnect Wireless Cards andAdapters. These systems allow users toeasily and economically access wirelessnetworks with the same performance aswired links. The OfficeConnect 11MbpsWireless LAN PC Card with XJACK®

Antenna even features an innovativeretractable antenna to make transportinglaptops more convenient.


Wireless Networking“Connect Anywhere”

Incorporates Clients, Access Points, Routers, Print Servers,Bridges, Antennas and Services:

SECTION 4

The Problem Deploying Fast & Secure Wireless Connectivity

Small businesses are turning to wireless LANs (WLANs) because they are the quick-est, most flexible, and most economical strategy for building or expanding net-works. Wireless links eliminate cabling and permit users to access the network any-where in a site, enhancing productivity. To ensure wireless links are practical, howev-er, small businesses require solutions that deliver robust security, substantial band-width, and simple deployment.

Whether for large sites or home offices,WLANs must be:

SecureWLANs require strong security to safeguarddata, particularly in industries like healthcareand banking.

Easy to DeployWireless solutions must be simple to installand trouble-free, reducing their cost of own-ership and making them more practical forsmall sites.

FastWLANs should provide uncompromising net-working services, supporting even demand-ing applications like real-time voice andvideo services.

VersatileWLANs should offer the performance andfunctionality of wired networks. They mustbe scalable so new users and devices can beadded quickly, as well as standards-based toensure easy interoperability with third-partydevices.

From an Experienced VendorSelect a vendor with a proven record ofdelivering complete, high-value solutions forsmall businesses.

3Com Wireless Solutions

3Com OfficeConnect 11a/b/gWireless Access Point

Wireless Site Survey,Installation and

Maintenance Services

Bridges

Access Points Routers

Print Server

Clients


Why Choose 3ComSolutions

Outstanding Value3Com wireless systems are practical and afford-able as wired networks, making them market-leading networking solutions for small businessenvironments.

FlexibleStandards-based and with support for Wi-Fia/b/g, 3Com wireless solutions deliver theversatility to meet any wireless need. 3Comoffers cost-effective systems for sites rangingfrom home offices to large facilities.

Rapid Returns on InvestmentThanks to their low cost of ownership andproductivity-enhancing capabilities, 3Comwireless systems quickly pay for themselves.

Simplicity3Com wireless devices are simple to deployand trouble-free in operation, making themideal for even the smallest businesses.

End-to-End Solutions3Com offers complete solutions, not justproducts, that bolster communications, efficiencies, and the bottom line.


Wireless Connectivity for Larger Sites

To build networks at new sites or toexpand existing systems, the family of 3Com Wireless LAN Access Pointsprovides performance and functionalityto power the most demanding work-groups or departments. With theseenterprise-class solutions, small busi-nesses can tailor their WLAN needswith 802.11a, 802.11g, or 802.11a/gconnectivity. They can choose platformsthat support up to 253 simultaneoususers with 108 Mbps speed or provideconnectivity as far as 1,000 feet. Theyoffer the most advanced and compre-hensive authentication and encryptionsecurity on the market today, as well assupport for VPNs.

3Com extends this performance tousers with an array of Wireless PCCards and Adapters. These solutionspermit employees to link to WLANswith the most robust standards-based,next-generation security features avail-able. The 3Com 11a/b/g Wireless PCCard with XJACK Antenna works withall popular wireless standards and features an antenna that retracts whentransporting the laptop.

What are the 802.11 Wireless Standards?802.11 refers to a family of WLAN standards developed by the Institute of Electrical andElectronic Engineers (IEEE). 802.11 systems are often referred to as “Wi-Fi.” The standardsensure that Wi-Fi certified devices are compatible with Wi-Fi based WLANs and hot spots. There are three basic 802.11 standards.

802.11b 802.11g 802.11a

Speed Up to 11 Mbps Up to 54 Mbps or up to Up to 54 Mbps or up to108 Mbps in Turbo Mode 108 Mbps in Turbo Mode

Range 300 feet indoors 300 feet indoors 164 feet indoors(100 meters) (100 meters) (50 meters)

Compatibility Interoperates with Interoperates with Does not operate with802.11g networks 802.11b networks 802.11b or 802.11g networks

Cost Inexpensive Slightly greater than 802.11b More expensivefor five times the speed

802.11b systems are the most widely sold and have a large installed base. Public access to802.11b connectivity is growing rapidly.

802.11g is new with rapid growth expected. 802.11g products offer high-speed wireless connections, ideal for large data transfers and Internet downloads.

802.11a operates on less crowded frequencies than the other standards, which reduces interference. It is useful in crowded environments where adjoining WLANs might overlap.

Wireless Networking

Incorporate Firewalls, Content Filtering, Managed Switches,Network Management, and Services:

3Com Security Solutions

Security Health Check,Installation and

Maintenance Services

Managed Switches

SuperStack 3 Firewall Content Filtering

VPN Firewall

Secure Router

3Com security solutions are built upondecades of providing market leadingnetworking systems. Offering the mostrobust safeguards available to smallbusinesses, they are designed to reducerisk as well as complexity. Independenttests have verified that even non-technicalstaff can install 3Com OfficeConnectsecurity platforms in 15 minutes or less.

The 3Com OfficeConnect Secure Routerprovides home and small offices withsafe, high-speed Internet access overeither cable or DSL lines. The systemoffers multiple security features, includ-ing an advanced firewall and supportfor two VPN tunnels, ensuring protectedsite-to-site communications. Offeringfour 10/100 Ethernet ports, this completesolution can even create small local areanetworks.

For larger facilities, the 3ComOfficeConnect VPN Firewall is a premiersolution. The system features robustfirewall protection that protects againstunauthorized access, denial of serviceattacks, and other common dangers. Upto 253 users can share a single broadbandconnection and the device supports up to50 simultaneous VPNs, making data intransit to other sites as safe as assets onthe LAN.


3Com Solution


Secure Networking“Connect and Protect”

SECTION 5

The Problem Protecting Data and Communications on the Network & the Internet

Today, all enterprises must safeguard their electronic communications and data fromtheft and tampering. They must defend against increasingly sophisticated threatslike viruses, denial of service attacks, and network intrusions. Small businesses, how-ever, are unable to afford networking security specialists, unlike large competitors.To defend themselves, particularly within industries where security standards are mandated, they require solutions that are effective, economical, and easy to operate.

Whether for small businesses, branch sites,or home offices, network security must be:

RobustSecurity systems must provide firewall pro-tection against an evolving range of threats.Yet they should not add complexity or com-promise networking performance.

PervasiveNetwork security need to be comprehensive.Companies must safeguard all electronicassets, from financial data on office serversto private communications traversing theInternet.

EconomicalSmall businesses cannot make budget-draininginvestments to attain strong security. Theirsolutions must be affordable.

PracticalSecurity systems should be easy to use andinexpensive to own, avoiding the need forongoing maintenance and costly technicalexpertise.

VersatileSecurity platforms need to cost-effectivelyprotect all Internet connections, whetherthey are cable, DSL, or private lines.

3Com OfficeConnect VPN Firewall

Baseline Plus Switches

Unmatched Ease of Use3Com security solutions operate simply andreliably, eliminating the need for on-site ITstaff. Non-technical personnel can installOfficeConnect security systems in minutes.

Comprehensive SecurityWhile most vendors protect only the networkperimeter, 3Com delivers complete solutionsthat safeguard resources and data anywhere,whether residing on the LAN or traversingthe Internet to remote sites.

Superior Business Value3Com offers military-grade security that iseconomical and practical, providing smallbusinesses with unprecedented protectionand value.

Rapid Return on InvestmentThanks to their affordability, reliability, andlow cost of ownership, 3Com solutionsdeliver rapid returns on investment.



What are VPNs?For maximum security, large companies useprivate lines for networking services betweentheir sites. These links are dedicated and carryno other traffic. VPNs, short for virtual privatenetworks, allow small businesses to create,in effect, private lines over public networkslike the Internet. VPNs use very robustencryption to create virtual tunnels betweenlocations. Traffic flows through the tunnelswith the security of private lines. VPN tunnelsare automatically created for the duration ofeach transmission.

VPNs offer a variety of advantages. They areinexpensive and eliminate the cost of leasingor installing private lines between sites. Theyare transparent to users and require noadministrative intervention. Moreover, theyare very secure. They are the most practicaland cost-effective strategy for protectingdata in transit over public networks.


Enforce Acceptable Web Usageand Enhance Productivity

Organizations need to protect themselvesagainst more than hackers and thieves.They must ensure that employees, aswell as temps and consultants, do notaccess unacceptable web sites, whichcan result in costly legal and social liabilities. Improper web usage alsosquanders network bandwidth andundermines productivity. To enforceweb usage policies, 3Com offers theOfficeConnect Content Filter Service asan enhancement to OfficeConnect VPNFirewalls and wireless router products.The subscription service protects com-panies and their employees by restrictingaccess to inappropriate web sites.

Like all 3Com products, theOfficeConnect Content Filter Service iseasily deployed. Administrators canchoose from over 40 content categoriescovering more than 6.1 million websites. The web site filter database isexternally hosted and accessed in realtime by the supporting 3Com products,eliminating the need to store the data-base locally or update it manually.Because the database is kept current ona daily basis, coverage is always timelyand accurate, ensuring a safe and pro-ductive workplace.

Secure Networking

3Com pioneered networked telephonyfor small businesses. No vendor has moreexperience or success in this market.With a customer base spanning theglobe, standards-based 3Com systemshave proven to be a boon for smallorganizations, delivering high-qualitytelephony reliably, simply and with dramatic cost-savings. They providesmall firms with all the competitiveadvantages of large enterprise systems,but are affordable for even modestbudgets.

The award-winning 3Com NBX® 100Communications System is designed forsingle and multi-site small businesseswith up to 200 phones per location. Theplatform provides voice services overexisting local and wide area networks.It eliminates long-distance chargesbetween sites and permits employees tocall each other with simple extensions,even if located continents apart.

The NBX platform comes standard withkey business features like voice mail,voice conferencing, call forwarding, andmulti-level automated attendants.Adding or moving phones simplyrequires plugging NBX handsets intostandard network Ethernet jacks. Firmseven can use wireless links to delivervoice services. Additionally, administra-tors can manage the phone system witha simple-to-use, web-based application,ensuring voice services are always optimized for business needs.


3Com Solution


IP Telephony“Connect and Converge”

SECTION 6

The Problem Integrating Voice & Data Services

IP telephony, also known as networked telephony, is revolutionizing business com-munications. This strategy is converging voice and data services on single network-ing infrastructures. Firms eliminate the costs and complexity of traditional phonetechnology and leverage their data networks. By consolidating their telephones,even at remote sites, into an enterprise-wide voice system, companies enhance pro-ductivity and slash expenses. To keep pace with competitors and improve their bot-tom lines, small businesses need networked telephony tailored to their needs.

Whether provisioning small businesses,branch sites, or home offices, IP telephonysolutions must be:

Full FeaturedNetworked phone systems for small busi-nesses must provide all the productivity-enhancing capabilities as large corporatesolutions. Moreover, these features shouldbe standard, not expensive add-ons.

ReliableNo business can afford to be without tele-phones. Solutions must have a proven recordof delivering high-quality voice servicesdependably.

Easy to OwnSmall businesses need to easily manage theirtelephony solutions in-house, avoiding thecost of vendor service technicians for evensimple tasks like moving, adding, or changingphones.

Simple to UseEmployees should be able to take full advan-tage of their phones’ capabilities withoutextensive training, ensuring these features areroutinely used to enhance communications.

FlexibleIP telephony solutions should consolidate allsites and users, even home offices, into aseamless voice system, and support vitalapplications like call-center capabilities simplyand economically.

Open & Standards-basedTelephony platforms should feature open,standards-based architecture to avoid thecost and compatibility issues of proprietarytechnologies. Firms can tailor voice servicesto their precise needs by easily adding third-party applications.

Proven TechnologyChoose solutions from a vendor with sub-stantial experience in delivering practical IPtelephony solutions to small businesses.Avoid gambling on first or second generationsystems from providers relatively new to themarket.

What is IP Telephony?If you have ever watched a live video feed on your computer, you know that your network cansupport multimedia traffic. Telephony is just another form of multimedia. Computers can digitizesound, send the data over networks to another location, and then convert the data back tosound. This is how IP telephony works. This technology is much simpler and more flexible thantraditional phone services, and anyone who already manages data networks can easily administerIP voice systems. IP telephones are network devices just computers, printers, and scanners.

IP telephony offers striking cost-savings. Firms no longer maintain separate voice and data infra-structures. They control their telephony services rather than needing service technicians for everychange. They reduce long-distance tolls by using the Internet to send calls between sites.

IP telephony allows small businesses to gain an equal footing with large competitors. Call centers,for example, the hallmark of good customer service, are too expensive for small businesses usingtraditional telephony. 3Com IP phone systems makes call centers affordable and easy to operate,even for firms with limited resources. An increasing array of third-party applications work withstandards-based IP telephony platforms, allowing small organizations to deploy solutions thatwere once too costly and complex.

Thanks to these and other benefits, businesses worldwide are increasingly relying on networkedvoice solutions, and even consumers are turning to IP telephony for home use.

3Com NBX 100Communications System

Proven Technology3Com networked telephony solutions werethe first to reach the market. 3Com hasmore experience delivering networkedtelephony solutions for small businesses thanany other vendor in the world.

Easy Administration3Com platforms deliver on the promise of IPtelephony by providing simple management.Small businesses can control their own voiceservices, avoiding reliance on costly servicetechnicians.

SimplicityUsers can tailor their voice services to theirneeds easily and without extensive training.

Standard Features3Com IP telephony solutions come standardwith a rich array of business features thatimproves productivity and accelerates returnson investment.

Cost-savingsBy reducing long-distance charges and simplifying administration, 3Com platformshave proven to substantially reduce ongoingcommunications costs.

Scalable3Com solutions scale easily and economically,supporting even rapid growth.

Complete Standards-based Solutions3Com offers end-to-end voice and data solutions that are standards-based, powerful,and easy to use.




Telephony for Small Sites

The latest 3Com IP telephony solutionfor small sites is the 3Com NBX V3000platform boasts a 1U package with fouranalog ports, one station-side port forfax machine, and the requisite 10/100MB Ethernet interface, giving smallbusinesses a complete call control andgateway platform. Priced to include 400 hours of voicemail storage, fourauto-attendant or voicemail ports, andthe award-winning NBX NetSet® utility for browser-based administration, theplatform can effectively reduce costs andenable rapid growth with the option ofexpansion to support as many as 1,500devices. A wide array of advanced func-tionality for network, remote offices,and T1/E1 access is available throughthe SuperStack 3 NBX expansion chassis.

IP Telephony

3Com Corporation, Corporate Headquarters, 350 Campus Drive, Marlborough, MA 01752-3064

To learn more about 3Com solutions, visit www.3com.com. 3Com is publicly traded on NASDAQ under the symbol COMS.

Copyright © 2005 3Com Corporation. All rights reserved. 3Com, the 3Com logo, NBX, NetSet, OfficeConnect, SuperStackand XJACK are registered trademarks of 3Com Corporation. Exercise Choice and IntelliJack are trademarks of 3ComCorporation. All other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective companies. While every effortis made to ensure the information given is accurate, 3Com does not accept liability for any errors or mistakes which may arise.Specifications and other information in this document may be subject to change without notice. 600269-005 01/05

3com® small and medium business networking

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