3Com looks to change face of network
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SANTA CLARA - 3Com last week released a device it says could save companies up to 75% of cabling costs by letting users plug multiple devices into a LAN via a single network connection.
The NJ100 Network Jack is about the size of a common network faceplate and is designed to screw into a cubicle or office wall to replace regular endpoint jacks. Four switched 10/100 Ethernet ports let multiple devices, such as PCs, personal servers or IP phones, share a single uplink to a wiring closet switch. An additional RJ-11 port can be added to the faceplate for connecting circuit-switched phones.
A fifth RJ-45 Ethernet port can also be added for connecting the endpoint to another switch or physical LAN segment. In the near future, the device could also be used to power IP phones over Ethernet cabling or connect wireless LAN users.
To provide network-based power to IP phones or other devices, 3Com says the NJ100 will support 802.3af power-over-Ethernet capabilities when the standard is set next year. The device is already reconfigured to prioritize voice traffic with 802.1p support in hardware, the company says. 3Com also plans to release a version of the NJ100 with an integrated 802.11b wireless access point next year.
While reducing the amount of cable that companies have to run might seem like a bad thing to those who lay cable for a living, Pat McMurray, director of network infrastructure for the cable installation firm Netversant Solutions, says the NJ100 could benefit his business and customers.
"Right now, we normally install a minimum of three cables per [desktop] location, sometimes up to six per desktop," McMurray says. "Now we can just pull one cable and put one of these [NJ100s] in there," making for a cleaner installation, he says. This could also let his firm complete jobs in less time, allowing for more jobs to be taken per month, he adds.
The cost benefits for a business installing cable in a new building could be huge, McMurray says, especially for companies installing voice-over-IP systems that require extra network lines to be installed at a desktop.
"Our cost on cable is 20 cents per foot," he says. "The average is 175 to 200 feet per run, so that's about 40 bucks per cable alone, at cost. Throw in some jacks, labor costs, and it's even more. If you're cutting down to one cable drop, that's probably about a $300 to $400 savings per desktop."
Reducing the amount of network clutter, such as wiring closet patch panels and switch ports needed to support multiple desktop lines is just one aspect of the NJ100 that interests McMurray.
"Down the road, I'm interested in looking at the wireless products associated with this. That's a hot idea," he says. "Right now when we install wireless access points, they're not the most attractive things on the ceilings. To have the access point in the wall jack would be great."
The NJ100 is available now through cable installation companies and costs around $140 per unit.
3Com: www.3com.com
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