3Com this week unveiled a new edge switch line designed to economically support converged wireline and wireless voice and data networks.

The 3Com Switch 4210 is a line of Layer 2 10/100Mbps Ethernet LAN switches that serve as “intelligent endpoints” in a network requiring high performance, QoS, and enterprise-level security and management, 3Com says. The Switch 4210, designed for use by enterprise workgroups and branch offices, as well as midsized businesses, is available in nine- and 18-port models for small workgroup deployment as well as a rack-mount 26-port model.

All models are equipped with copper and small form-factor pluggable Gigabit uplinks and clustered stacking capabilities, which allow switches to be clustered in configurations of up to 32 units.

3Com’s announcement follows a branch office router and switch announcement from Cisco earlier this week.

The switches are available in IEEE 802.3af Power over Ethernet (PoE) and non-PoE models, and run the 3Com Operating System. The PoE capabilities provide inline power to attached devices, such as access points, VoIP phones, and IP security cameras.

Access security is enabled through 3Com’s RADIUS Authenticated Device Access (RADA), a “Guest” VLAN feature, and Secure Shell Version 2 authentication and encryption measures. The Switch 4210 also supports a standard command line interface, Web-based administration, and SNMP management through 3Com tools such as Enterprise Management System, Network Director and Network Supervisor, the company says.

The Switch 4210 was developed by H3C, 3Com’s China-based R&D organization. H3C was formed from a joint venture between 3Com and China’s Huawei Technologies, and 3Com bought out Huawei’s share for $882 million late last year.

The Switch 4210 costst $450 for non-PoE and $795 for PoE nine-port models. All Switch 4210 models come with 3Com’s lifetime warranty covering the unit, power supply and fan. Free software updates are provided, and hardware replacement with next business day shipment is available in most regions, 3Com says.

HP ProCurve also offers a lifetime warranty on most of its switches.

Whitepapers

• The Trend from UNIX to Linux in SAP(r) Data Centers
• Network-Wide Change Management Visibility with Route Analytics
• A Comparative Study of CDN Architectures
• Best Practices for HP Servers and HP Enterprise Virtual Array in a Microsoft Exchange
• REMOTE CONTROL: How to Reduce the Cost, Complexity and Risk of Managing Your Distributed IT Infrastructure
• Best Practices for WAN Optimization with Data Replication

View more LANS & WANS whitepapers

Webcasts

• Branch Office Trends and Best Practices
• Correlating granular network and application visibility
• Migrating to an MPLS-Based Network
• Round Table Webcast with Forrester Research
• Best Practices for Deploying WAN Optimization for Disaster Recovery
• WAN Optimization Editorial Webcast

View more LANS & WANS webcasts

Special Reports

• Ehternet Services: WAN options mature
• Keeping Spam at Bay
• Network World Executive Guide: The Virtualization Equation
• Get More From Your WAN
• WAN Optimization: How to rev up sluggish applications
• Network World Executive Guide: Perfecting Application Performance Management

View more LANS & WANS special reports