In April 2010, Hewlett-Packard (HP) completed its acquisition of 3Com Corporation. As a result, 3Com was fully absorbed by HP and no longer exists as a separate entity. This article provides an overview of 3Com's portfolio at the time of the acquisition and its integration into HP.
Overview of 3Com
3Com Corporation was a global networking technology company that had three major brands: H3C, 3Com, and TippingPoint. It offered a wide range of products, including network switches, wireless access points, WAN routers, and IP voice systems.
Switches
Modular Switches
3Com's modular switches were designed for high-performance networking environments. They offered various configurations and features:
- Switch 8800: Available in 7-, 10-, and 14-slot configurations with optional dual load-sharing fabric modules. It had a backplane capacity of 44 Terabit-per-second and supported up to 48 10 Gigabit ports or 576 Gigabit ports, with optional PoE.
- Switch 7900E: Offered in 4-, 5-, 8-, and 12-slot configurations with optional dual fabric modules. It had a backplane capacity of 88 Terabit-per-second and supported up to 24 10GE ports or 480 Gigabit ports, with optional PoE.
- Switch 7550: Available in 4-, 7-, and 8-slot configurations. The 4- and 7-slot models had a single fabric module, while the 8-slot model could have dual redundant fabric modules. It supported up to 292 Gigabit ports.
Fully Managed Fixed Switches
3Com's fully managed fixed switches provided comprehensive management capabilities, including Command Line Interface, Telnet, web interface, SNMP management, and interoperable single IP management clustering. These switches offered advanced hardware replacement and lifetime access to software updates. Some notable models include:
- Baseline Plus 2900: A Gigabit switch with options for 16, 24, or 48 Gb ports, including 4 Dual Personality Ports. It supported Layer 2 switching only and had a PoE model.
- Baseline Plus 2200/2400: Fast Ethernet switches available in 26- and 50-port models. They supported Layer 2 switching only and had a PoE model.
Web Managed Switches
3Com's web managed switches, also known as smart managed switches, offered a web interface for configuration changes. They had a limited Command Line Interface and did not support remote access via Telnet. These switches also provided advanced hardware replacement and lifetime access to software updates. One notable model is:
- Baseline Plus 2900: A Gigabit switch with options for 16, 24, or 48 Gb ports, including 4 Dual Personality Ports. It supported Layer 2 switching only and had a PoE model.
Unmanaged Switches
3Com's unmanaged switches were plug-and-play devices without any interface for configuration adjustments. They were designed for simple networking setups and included the following models:
- Baseline 2800: A Gigabit switch with options for 16 or 24 Gb ports. It supported Layer 2 switching only.
- Baseline 2000/2100: Fast Ethernet switches available in 16-, 24-, and 26-port models. The 26-port model had two Gb ports. They supported Layer 2 switching only.
Integration into HP
Following the acquisition, HP integrated 3Com's networking technology into its existing product portfolio. This integration allowed HP to enhance its networking solutions and offer a more comprehensive range of products and services to its customers.
By leveraging 3Com's expertise and technology, HP was able to strengthen its position in the networking market and provide innovative solutions for enterprises of all sizes. The acquisition also enabled HP to expand its global reach and better compete with other major networking vendors.
With the acquisition of 3Com Corporation, Hewlett-Packard solidified its presence in the networking industry. By combining 3Com's extensive product portfolio with HP's existing offerings, the company was able to deliver enhanced networking solutions to its customers worldwide.
Although 3Com no longer exists as an independent entity, its legacy lives on through HP's continued commitment to providing cutting-edge networking technology.