3Com bares new era of network connectivity

3Com Corp. Phils. has announced its new category of high-performance network interface cards (NICs), which secure network traffic over the local area network (LAN) while driving superior system performance.

Featuring an integrated 3Com-developed ASIC, the 3XP processor, and on-board encryption chip, 3Com's new family of EtherLink 10/100 PCI NICs offloads key networking tasks from the Microsoft Windows 2000 operating system to the NICs' integrated 3XP processor, delivering reliable, secure connections and optimal system performance.

"This new generation of 3Com NICs represents technical advancement and significant breakthrough in the area of networking offloads and LAN security," said Kenneth Palacios, 3Com channel manager.

"The EtherLink 10/100 PCI NICs with 3XP processor are the only NICs to offer an advanced level of performance through Windows 2000 offloads, providing interoperability, easy customer migration and maximized benefits from the operating system," he added.

The EtherLink and EtherLink Server 10/100 PCI NICs with 3XP processor are the result of a series of strategic alliances and joint developments announced in early 1999 with Microsoft Corp., VLSI and ARM.

In January 1999, 3Com and Microsoft announced an alliance to accelerate deployment of a new generation of converged networks. One of the areas of collaboration is on processor-based technology to enhance performance on Windows 2000 desktop, workstation and server platforms.

3Com collaborated with Microsoft on the Windows 2000 offload interface that enables hardware acceleration of key TCP/IP and security features from Windows 2000 to the NIC.

Implementing this offload with the EtherLink 10/100 PCI NIC significantly reduces host CPU utilization while maximizing system and network throughput.