Today, 3Com Corporation (NASDAQ:COMS), a leading designer and supplier of PC network interfaces, announced it is offering a breakthrough 10/100Mbps Ethernet network interface chip to give NetPCs and other "thin clients" industry leading performance, manageability and low cost of ownership.

The 3Com 3C917 is available now in sample quantities for NetPC manufacturers.

3C917 Builds on 3Com Silicon Integrated Products

The 3C917 is the most recent example of 3Com's ability to integrate Fast Ethernet networking into a chip. Since the introduction of the EtherLink(TM) III family of network interface cards (NICs) in 1992, 3Com has designed all of the networking chips in the company's key NICs and has constantly integrated more functionality into these devices.

"The most recent Dell'Oro report confirms 3Com has an undisputed and commanding lead in Fast Ethernet NICs. We believe our position results from the quality and advanced functionality 3Com builds into every product and the preference we've earned with our customers. Over the years, 3Com has consistently delivered innovation to the market and today's announcement of the 3C917 is further evidence of that," said Doug Spreng, executive vice president of 3Com Interface Products.

"3Com believes the NetPC, and other `thin clients,' will extend the power and impact of networked computers to a much broader audience. Leading PC companies have made the commitment to design and deliver world-class systems for this new market. 3Com is supporting them with the best networking technology available worldwide. Because a NetPC is a sealed case device, customers can have fully compatible 3Com networking embedded in a NetPC and 3Com NICs in a classical desktops in a single network."

Forecast: 21 Million NetPC and NC Clients Installed by 2001

According to most market analysts including IDC, there is a pent-up demand for easy-to-manage computers that can reduce the total cost of ownership of PCs. These NetPCs, or thin clients, are highly dependent on the network for software applications and updates. IDC has projected that by 2001, there will be an installed base of more than 21 million Net PC and NC Clients worldwide.

Dell Endorses 3C917

"For the past two years, Dell has delivered more than one million OptiPlex desktop PCs to our largest corporate customers integrated with 3Com networking technology," said Michael S. Dell, chairman and CEO of Dell Computer Corp. "As a leader in enterprise computing, Dell requires the best possible networking technology from 3Com and has consistently received it. As we begin to deliver NetPCs, we will build on this successful alliance and together with 3Com provide our customers the best networking solution available."

Lucent's .35 Micron Fabs Deliver Volume Product

3Com is working with Lucent Technologies to build the 3C917. "We've been working with 3Com for more than five years helping them build the most sophisticated networking solutions in the market," said Curt Crawford, president of Lucent microelectronics. "The 3C917 is being built in Lucent's leading edge .35 micron facilities, delivering the most advanced technology at the lowest possible cost."

3C917 Benefits and Features

The 3Com 3C917 is the industry's first 10/100 Fast Ethernet solution designed for the NetPC and thin client markets. This silicon device integrates advanced 10/100 Fast Ethernet networking with over-the-LAN management, total control, and low power consumption. It also incorporates multiple versions of Wake-On-LAN and is fully DMI 2.0 compliant which makes the computers especially easy to manage from a central location. 3Com, the market and technology leader in Ethernet and Fast Ethernet, has brought its experience to bear on creating a networking solution for the NetPC that allows network managers to have NetPCs installed with the reliability and compatibility of a standard 3Com network connection.

3Com's Added Value: DynamicAccess(TM) and TranscendWare(TM) Software

Only 3Com network interface products offer 3Com's patented Parallel Tasking(TM) architecture for greater performance and 3Com's DynamicAccess features. 3Com's DynamicAccess software optimizes network traffic, improves overall network performance and enables the delivery of multimedia traffic to users. DynamicAccess features are part of 3Com's broad range of TranscendWare(TM) software that runs on all 3Com hardware products and benefits more than 50 million customers worldwide. DynamicAccess software is incorporated into the 3C917 to make NetPCs a high performance, easy-to-manage active part of the network.

3C917: Part of the 3Com Network Ready(TM) Program

NetPCs shipping with 3Com's 3C917 can take advantage of the 3Com Network Ready program. The program certifies that the highest quality and most reliable client PCs and servers are preconfigured for hardware, operating system and network operating system compatibility. This quick access to corporate networks significantly reduces the cost of ownership, and time necessary for installation and configuration, freeing up valuable in-house MIS resources. The 3Com Network Ready program has 29 partners around the world, including leading PC manufacturers, resellers and integrators.

About 3Com

3Com Corporation has helped more than 50 million people gain access to critical information through high-speed networks. Designed to serve large enterprises, service providers, small offices and homes, 3Com products provide a scaleable architecture to meet the present and future connectivity needs of today's users. With research and development on three continents, 3Com is one of the data networking industry's largest and fastest growing companies. 3Com's innovative marketing, engineering, sales and support simplify communication, optimize network reliability and protect customer investments.