3Com Corporation, a leading provider of secure, converged voice and data networking solutions for enterprises of all sizes, today announced a significant milestone in its innovative 3Com® Open Services Networking (3Com OSN) strategy with the introduction of new OSN applications delivered on its new MSR Series Multi-Service Router platform.
3Com OSN is the industry's first open platform to integrate best-of-breed and open-source applications into the fabric of the network infrastructure, enabling organizations to drive operational simplicity, reduce capital expenditures and operating costs, and achieve lasting investment protection while addressing ever-changing business needs. 3Com OSN enables end users to run open-source, third–party and 3Com-developed applications and solutions that deliver intelligence, flexibility, performance and control directly inside the network with the ease of use, support and economy of an integrated solution. OSN is a key element of the company’s next-generation Secure, Converged Networking strategy to drive even greater application integration directly into the network infrastructure.
The Multi-Service Router with OSN, introduced today, is designed for deployment at enterprise branch and regional offices and by managed service providers seeking to enhance business continuity, security and operational efficiency. In a feature-rich IP router platform, applications run on Open Services Modules (OSM); this makes it easy to deploy a variety of enhancements to communications, security and network performance. There is no need to deploy numerous single-task appliances that complicate network management, take up valuable facility space, and consume excessive power.
"3Com Open Services Networking on the MSR Series platform gives us the unique ability to maintain and enhance our existing open source network performance monitoring investments, while upgrading our infrastructure to achieve better performance and reliability," said David de Weerdt, president and CEO of wireless internet service provider Everus Communications Inc., a 3Com customer in Ontario, Canada. "3Com OSN also will give us the flexibility to quickly deploy new services to create additional value for our customers."
The MSR Series also supports 3Com’s commitment to developing green technologies by requiring less energy to operate than comparable solutions that require deploying additional appliances or devices at each location.
The Power of OSN: Validated and Proven Applications
The new OSN application introduced today is WAN optimization and application acceleration from 3Com Open Network™ (3Com|ON™) Program member Expand Networks. Existing OSN applications include the 3Com Services Monitoring Bundle, security information/event management (SIEM) and network behavior analysis from 3Com|ON Program member Q1 Labs, and e-mail information leak protection from 3Com|ON Program member Vericept. In the coming weeks 3Com will announce details of additional OSN applications from other 3Com|ON Program members.
"Customers will find that the OSN applications available now and in the future for the MSR product line will provide considerable additional functionality," said Steven J. Schuchart, Jr., principle analyst, Enterprise Network Systems, Current Analysis. “This functionality greatly increases the short- and long-term value of the MSR for customers.”
Expand Networks WAN Optimization and Application Acceleration
Expand Networks’ WAN optimization and application acceleration improves network performance and enhances application access, particular in a branch office setting, to help improve employee productivity and eliminating the need for costly bandwidth upgrades. The MSR integrates this critical acceleration functionality into the network for improved performance of up to 400 percent or more, while eliminating the need to deploy a separate appliance at the branch.
“Since networks and business requirements vary from enterprises to enterprise, a best-of-breed environment is the most effective approach for reducing costs and accelerating applications,” said David White, vice president of business development, Expand Networks. “Businesses and service providers deploying the new 3Com Multi-Service Router with Expand’s robust compass platform on an Open Services Module will realize the power of Open Services Networking. We believe the tight integration of application optimization with industry-leading routing capabilities sets 3Com apart from the competition and delivers the business benefits organizations need to maintain a competitive advantage.”
The MSR platform was developed by H3C, 3Com’s China-based R&D organization. Enterprises and service providers already have deployed several thousand MSR Series platforms throughout China. Consistent with 3Com’s mission to develop high-quality, low-cost products that meet customers’ business needs, this latest H3C innovation delivers a measurable price and performance advantage over similar products from other leading vendors.
There are three MSR models: The 50 Series, 30 Series and 20 Series, which provide a range of performance and capacity to meet the needs of enterprise branch offices and managed service providers. All of the models share a common architecture and a single software level.
Fully manageable and simple to deploy, the MSR Series routers are enterprise-class, secure platforms that feature a true multi-service architecture and resiliency features such as redundant power and Power over Ethernet (PoE). Embedded hardware-based encryption and voice processing functionality maximizes the platform’s performance, enabling models that can deliver wireline connection speeds up to T3 rates without comprising the performance of the other services. The MSR delivers reliable, scalable, high-performance WAN and LAN connectivity in a single platform, and offers a comprehensive portfolio of interface and module options for LAN, WAN and voice communications.
“OSN is a cornerstone of 3Com’s commitment to provide our enterprise and service provider customer with innovative, flexible products and solutions that will meet their networking and communications needs now and in the future,” said Edgar Masri, president and CEO of 3Com. “The new Multi-Service Router platform embodies how we are able to develop high-quality, high-value products through our H3C team and add open-standards-based applications from 3Com and our 3Com|ON Program members that provide tremendous value to our customers and enable them to achieve more from their network than ever before.”
Pricing and Availability
The 3Com MSR is available now. The MSR 20 Series starts at US$1,050, the MSR 30 Series starts at US$2,140 and pricing for the MSR 50 Series chassis starts at US$6,380 including the required processor module.
Pricing for Expand Networks’ WAN optimization application on OSN begins at US$315. To purchase it, please contact your local 3Com representative. For information on additional OSN applications, visit www.3Com.com/OSN.
About the 3Com Open Network Program
The 3Com Open Network (3Com|ON) Program is a global technology partner program designed to build and support a wide array of third-party relationships with best-of-breed independent software and hardware vendors, systems integrators, service providers, consultants and the open source community. A collaborative, open approach—supported by a wealth of Program resources and support activities—creates value-added, interoperable solutions and services that help manage, control and enhance Secure Converged Networks. Visit www.open.3com.com to learn more.
About 3Com Corporation
3Com Corporation is a leading provider of secure, converged voice and data networking solutions for enterprises of all sizes. 3Com offers a broad line of innovative products backed by world-class sales, service and support, which excel at delivering business value for its customers. 3Com also includes H3C Technologies Co., Limited (H3C), a China-based provider of network infrastructure products. H3C brings high-performance and cost-effective product development and manufacturing and a strong footprint in one of the world’s most dynamic markets. Through its TippingPoint division, 3Com is a leading provider of network-based intrusion prevention systems that deliver in-depth application protection, infrastructure protection, and performance protection. For further information, please visit www.3com.com, or the media site www.3com.com/pressbox.
