New wireless solutions for business

3Com Corp. recently expanded its Wi-Fi Certified wireless local area network (LAN) solutions to include a high-speed, wireless “travel router” for business travelers, as well as new high-speed wireless printing capabilities and new options for wireless connectivity in an office.


3Com continues to lead in providing innovative and practical wireless solutions to small businesses, small office workers, business travelers and telecommuters. The new products include a travel access router that serves as a secure 54Mbps 802.11g wireless router with stateful packet inspection (SPI) firewall and Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) for use in hotels, conference rooms and offices; high-speed 54Mbps 802.11g wireless print server; OfficeConnect Wireless 108Mbps PC Card with 3Com’s patented XJACK antenna; and Compact 54Mbps 802.11g wireless USB adapter.


These new 3Com small office products complement the 802.11a/b/g wireless access points and wireless cable/DSL gateways that 3Com has been successfully offering with proven and advanced security. As a business grows, it has the option to scale up with 3Com’s enterprise wireless products. 3Com offers robust wireless solutions from the business traveler to the large corporation.


“3Com continues to deliver enterprise-class solutions and functionality for small-and-medium businesses without the complexity and costs normally associated with these products,” said Neal Kaufman, senior director of small business product management of 3Com. “The wireless products that we launched today clearly demonstrate 3Com’s unique ability to leverage our expertise and competency as a provider of large enterprise networking products, combined with our specialized experience and understand of small-and-medium business needs.”


AWARD-WINNING, EASY TO USE


The award-winning OfficeConnect Wireless 54Mbps 11g Travel Router, which supports up to 16 concurrent users, gives the traveler the ability to establish a temporary wireless network, whether at a hotel, a conference center or any other location that provides a wired connection. The travel router is extremely compact and comes in a convenient travel case, so it is easy to pack and carry.


The travel router supports SPI firewall and advanced (WPA) security, and is Wi-Fi Certified. Giving customers confidence in the product, PC Magazine awarded its coveted “Editor’s Choice” distinction to this 3Com travel router in the September 13 issue.


The OfficeConnect Wireless 54Mbps 11g Print Server extends the accessibility of printers, sharing it among wireless and wired users, no matter where they are located. The print server, which can be easily set up, connects a USB 2.0/1.1 printer directly to the network.


To access the wireless network, laptop users can use the new OfficeConnect Wireless 108Mbps 11g PC Card with XJACK Antenna, the only 11g wireless PC card with a retractable antenna. The OfficeConnect Wireless 54Mbps 11g Compact USB Adapter is a memory stick-style, low-cost way to connect a laptop or desktop computer to the wireless network. Its compact design makes it an easy alternative for users who don’t want to use a PC Card for wireless networking.


SMALL BUSINESS SOLUTIONS


3Com’s small business wireless solutions help small business owners and workers access information, check e-mail, and connect with customers and partners without the restrictions of space or wires. The new wireless print server enables users to wirelessly print from anywhere within the small business location. The ability to wirelessly connect to a printer saves cabling costs, eliminates the need for a PC to be dedicated to print server chores, and allows printers to be located and relocated as necessary.

The new OfficeConnect Wireless 108Mbps 11g XJACK PC Card gives small business users the flexibility to connect securely and reliably to either 802.11b or 802.11g networks, and also provides a power-saving and protecting feature – the XJACK antenna. As the antenna is clicked back into the computer, the card powers down to save PC power and to protect the wireless card from damage, which can happen with wireless PC cards that have antennas sticking out of the laptop computer.


BENEFITS TO BUSINESS TRAVELERS


3Com ensures that the traveler can have wireless access with comprehensive wireless security. The Wi-Fi Certified 3Com travel router is a flexible product that supports multiple configuration modes, including router mode with SPI firewall, access point mode and client bridge mode. This product is unique because it puts the control of the wireless network into the hands of business travelers. The travel router is compact, making it easy to carry on business trips. It allows a traveler to set up a private wireless network in a hotel room, a conference room or any convenient location.


While also using the 3Com OfficeConnect Wireless XJACK PC card or compact USB adapter, the traveler can gain secure, reliable, high-speed wireless access while on a business trip, exemplifying the benefits of a truly mobile work force with wireless computer access.


REMOTE BUT READY


A remote office of a distributed organization can be a challenge for an IT manager who is responsible for the office or a number of remote offices in different geographic areas. 3Com’s wireless products, including the new wireless print server, as well as the 11a/b/g access points, can be installed quickly and easily. They are reliable products designed for the rigors of daily business.


Many larger companies have small sales offices across a region. 3Com’s wireless solutions help support the mobile work force with secure, standards-based technology at an affordable price. The company distinguishes itself by applying its broad-based networking expertise to install enterprise-like features into its small business products, but with the extensive ease of use that has been a popular hallmark for 3Com’s small business solutions for many years.

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