3Com gets back to the enterprise

By Peter Judge, ZDNet.co.uk, 13 May, 2002 17:15

Oddey is excited about the 802.1x network log-in protocol which was defined to make wireless networks secure, but which will also have a big impact on wired network administration. Although Microsoft's support means 802.1x clients will be widely available, so it should be more likely to succeed, the Microsoft client is only in Windows XP. "What we've done with our implementation is to make sure it is in Windows 98 and 2000. You don't have to have XP," said Oddey. "We also plan to build 802.1x into our switches." In the far future of XRN (the so-called "Phase 3") she says the distributed fabric will be brought together with 802.1x. "We will offer secure connection to a person over the network, but in a day-to-day usable way." Other announcements include unified messaging for the NBX network phone system, and continued support for wireless networking. Oddey is unwilling to choose between the rival "next generation" standards, 802.11a and 802.11g, but agrees with ZDNet's opinion that debate over the next generation may distract users from the fact that 802.11b is practical right now, Still number two to Cisco 3Com is number two in switched Ethernet port shipments, said Oddey, but could potentially beat Cisco in some small parts of the market, though the definition of those areas creaks a bit: "3Com can be the dominant player where people want performance and value for money," said Oddey. In other words, it can be the best player that is cheaper than Cisco -- a laudable but limited aim. This attitude shows up in initiatives like the 3Com Challenge, reminiscent of soap powder promotions, which offers to match technology from "your usual network vendor" at a cheaper price. "Sector by sector, we can compete," said Oddey, citing the small business market, and distributed networks for markets like finance and insurance. "We have got our finances under control," she said. "Our balance sheet is phenomenal for this industry."

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