The company is introducing a range of hardware servers including network storage server, e-mail server and Internet application server under the name of OfficeConnect network servers. 3Com is launching an entire suite of Bluetooth wireless hubs, PC cards and USB adaptors. Beside, the company is launching new range of switch under the name of Super Stack 3 with add-ons to be used for Web caching, content switching and firewall security. The new switches are ethernet switches having maximum speed of 1000 mbps.

Announcing the launch in the Indian market, the country sales manager of 3Com India, Mr Ram Gopal Vallath, said, "The new range of servers is ideal for small businesses and is suitable for customers who do not have dedicated information technology staff but need IT as their business requirements."

Mr Vallath said that the Network Storage server will provide improved management of storage and security of data and files on the network with a facility of automatic back up. The Internet server will offer integrated facilities of a Web site platform, e-mail box, secure remote connections to mobile workers and file and print sharing. Commenting on Bluetooth enabled products, Mr Vallath said that the company would offer bluetooth enabled PC cards and hubs so that a wireless small personal area network can be created for individual users. This would mean that the user will be able to connect its PC or laptop with the existing local area network without any wire.

AirConnect to be available by year-end
3Com India will introduce its Wireless Local Area Network products called AirConnect in the Indian market by the end of this year. The products, which will work on 802.11b protocol, will enable computers, printers and other devices to be hooked to the LAN without any wire. The company has applied for required approvals and licenses and expected to get the clearance soon.

According to Mr Sayan Ghosh, Technical consultant of 3COM, 802.11b provides larger coverage as compared to bluetooth. One Airconnect wireless access point can support up to 63 users over 100 meter of radius. Such multiple access point put together will create a real large wireless network the user will remain connected with LAN even when roaming across the area, he added.