3Com Unveils Stackable Gigabit Switch, Wireless Access Point

The SuperStack 3 Switch 3870, a stackable layer 2 gigabit-to-the-desktop switch family, opens up new opportunities for 3Com's solution providers to target higher-end customers and larger sites, said Douglas Hyde, product marketing manager at 3Com, Marlborough, Mass.

The new product line comes in 24-port and 48-port versions, including four "dual personality" ports that can operate as either 10/100/1000 copper ports or as small form-factor pluggable (SFP) based fiber ports. In addition, the switches include 10-Gigabit ready expansion slots for uplinks to the network core to help future-proof customers' investments, Hyde said.

"Gigabit is an opportunity to provide more value into the network; it's a longer-term solution for the channel, and 'stackability' is something the channel has been looking for," Hyde said.

Up to eight switches can stack together, providing up to 384 Gigabit ports per stack. Stacked switches can be managed as a single unit and can pass intra-switch data over a 40-Gbps stacking connection.

The SuperStack 3 Switch 3870 is scheduled to ship in June. The 24-port model will carry a list price of $3,995 and a projected street price of $108 per port. The 48-port model will carry a list price of $5,999 and a projected street price of $82 per port, Hyde said.

3Com also introduced at the conference its Wireless LAN Access Point 7250 based on an 802.11g radio. The new product includes advanced security and management features aimed at enterprise customers.