3Com Launches H3C S5800, Industry`s First `Flex-Chassis` Enterprise Switch Series

Offers modular resiliency and flexible service delivery in a fixed form factor
for edge, aggregation or core network deployment at a disruptive price point
MARLBOROUGH, Mass.--(Business Wire)--
As part of today`s global introduction of its H3C large-enterprise networking
portfolio, 3Com Corporation (Nasdaq: COMS) is introducing the industry`s first
"flex-chassis" enterprise switch family, the H3C S5800 Series. The S5800 offers
exceptional port density-up to 192 10-Gigabit ports or 640 Gigabit Ethernet
ports-and supports embedded extensible application services including security,
wireless and monitoring. The S5800 is designed to enhance network reliability,
lower customers` total cost of ownership (TCO) and improve application delivery,
and to fulfill 3Com`s promise to customers they no longer have to compromise on
network performance and features because of budget constraints.

The S5800 establishes a new category of enterprise switches, which 3Com calls
"flex-chassis"-the first product that can function as a modular chassis as well
as a fixed-form-factor stackable switch. The S5800 delivers unmatched
flexibility, enabling enterprises to deploy it at any layer of the network-from
the edge to the aggregation layer to the core, as well as top-of-rack in the
data center-with "no-compromise" performance and functionality.

The S5800, and the entire H3C enterprise networking portfolio, was designed with
a future-proof architecture using the industry`s latest technology. Based on
open standards, the S5800 provides 3Com customers with a platform that is easily
extended as future innovations become available. Using merchant silicon instead
of proprietary ASICs, the H3C portfolio features the most modern and low-power
chipsets available. A commitment to developing products that use far less power
than the industry average means enterprises not only can reduce capital
expenditures by deploying the H3C portfolio, they also can spend less money on
energy to run their networks. This results in an average 33 percent reduction in
TCO with 3Com`s H3C solutions.

Facts/Highlights

H3C Switch 5800 Series provides exceptional flexibility:

* High-performance, high-density, ultra-flexible switching with industry-leading
price/performance.
* Innovative design makes the S5800 Series the ideal choice for scalable Gigabit
Ethernet and 10-Gigabit connectivity with extensible embedded application
services at any layer of the network.
* Multiple switches can be deployed and managed as a single connective virtual
fabric-even when the switches are geographically dispersed-which substantially
increases port density.
* At the access layer, the S5800 Series delivers high-density Gigabit
connectivity with optional support for full Power over Ethernet (PoE) on all
ports.
* At the aggregation layer or core, high-density, wire-speed 10-Gigabit
connectivity provides "pay-as-you-grow" flexibility and rapid deployment
capabilities.
* As a top-of-rack data center solution, cut-through switching provides the low
latency required for many business-critical applications.

* Key H3C S5800 benefits:

* Lower TCO by design enables business continuity (network
reliability/availability) and reduces operating costs through:

* Resilient hardware features, including dual, swappable power units, hot
swappable fans and I/O modules that are typically only found in modular core
platforms.
* Resilient software features, including Intelligent Resilient Framework (IRF)
and Rapid Ring Protection Protocol (RRPP), greatly increase availability,
resiliency, performance and back-up, and disaster recovery applications:

* IRF delivers local and geographically distributed high-availability,
resiliency and traffic load balancing. It enables enterprises to build a
"pay-as-you-grow" network core, seamlessly adding 10-Gigabit and gigabit ports
to expand density as needs evolve.
* RRPP delivers ultra-fast recovery (sub-50ms failover) to ensure no dropped
voice or video.

* High port density (more ports equals fewer switches to deploy) and efficient
cooling reduce energy consumption.

* Future-proof capabilities:

* Add and change service modules as the network grows or connectivity and
capacity needs evolve.
* Add additional embedded applications-such as security, management and
wireless-via 3Com Open Services Networking (OSN) modules.
* Full dual-stack IPv4 and IPv6 routing.

* Defense-in-Depth Security:

* The S5800 works in concert with security platforms to serve as a powerful
security enforcement point. It can limit bandwidth to certain applications or
shut down ports completely.
* Supports embedded extensible services for high-performance security.

* Models and Configurations:

* Models include a 24-port fiber chassis and 24- and 48-port Gigabit chassis
with available PoE. All feature four SFP+ 10-Gigabit ports and one expansion
module slot.
* The S5800-60C-PWR is a 48-port, triple-speed model with PoE that includes two
expansion module slots and comes with one OSN module. Its port-density can
increase to 80 Gigabit or 12 10-Gigabit ports, offering enterprises tremendous
flexibility.
* The S5820X-28S is a 1 RU 24-port 10G switch.
* The S5820X-28C is a 2RU flex-chassis switch that delivers high-density 10G and
Gigabit connectivity.
* Expansion modules range from 2/4-port 10G SFP+ to 16-port 100/1000 Base-X SFP
modules.

Ease of Management with the Intelligent Management Center

* The S5800 is built on the H3C Comware operating system and managed by the H3C
Intelligent Management Center (IMC). It also features full CLI and Web
management capabilities.
* IMC is built on a modular Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) design that
enables effective integration of traditionally separate management tools,
providing complete management of resources, services and users.

Pricing and availability

* All models of the S5800 will be available worldwide in July 2009. U.S. list
pricing starts at $6,495 for the S5800 and $17,995 for the S5820.

Supporting Quotes:

* "The H3C S5800 is the industry`s most cost-effective and innovative platform
for meeting enterprise customers` networking needs today and in the future,"
said Saar Gillai, senior vice president, worldwide products and solutions, 3Com.
"Our H3C portfolio is the most modern in the industry-developed over the past
four years-so it delivers unmatched price/performance advantages."
* "The H3C S5800 is simply a tour de force of switching and is-hands down-a true
no-compromise solution," said Dave Foss, assistant director for information
technology services for the Research Laboratory of Electronics at the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. "It provides us with every feature we
want in a flexible edge and core switch at a total cost of ownership we`ve never
seen from any other vendor. We need raw speed and it delivers. It has the
industry`s best stacking technology and a host of features that once could only
be found in chassis-model switches. We are deploying 100 S5800s with PoE on
every port because we will be powering the next generation of PDAs, computers
and other portable devices. The switch is compact so we can provide fabulous
density in a one rack-mount position. And we love the fact we can expand or
contract the stack quickly and easily."

Images available at http://www.flickr.com/photos/38116474@N03/:

* 3Com, H3C logos
* Product shots of S5800
* Screenshots of IMC

Supporting Resources:

* Link to www.h3cnetworks.com
* Links to product pages:

* H3C S5800
* H3C Intelligent Management Center (IMC)

About 3Com

3Com Corporation is a $1.3 billion global enterprise networking solutions
provider that sets a new price/performance standard for customers. 3Com has
three global brands-H3C, 3Com, and TippingPoint-that offer high-performance
networking and security solutions to enterprises large and small. The H3C
enterprise networking portfolio-a market leader in China-includes products that
span from the data center to the edge of the network, while TippingPoint
network-based intrusion prevention systems and network access control solutions
deliver in-depth, no-compromise application, infrastructure and performance
protection.

Copyright© 2009 3Com Corporation. 3Com, the 3Com logo, H3C and TippingPoint are
registered trademarks of 3Com Corporation or its wholly owned subsidiaries in
various countries around the world. All other company and product names may be
trademarks of their respective holders.

3Com Corporation
Kevin Flanagan, 508-323-1101
kevin_flanagan@3com.com
or
Lois Paul & Partners for 3Com
Beth Cossette, 781-782-5715
beth_cossette@lpp.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009