Texas Tech Computer Network Keeps Pace with Student Needs.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 20, 2003

University Using 3Com(R) Switches to Speed Educational

Network Traffic, Restrict Recreational Internet Use

and MP3 Downloading

Most everything is big in Texas,

including the 311,000-square-foot EPE Complex Texas Tech University opened this past fall to house its English, Philosophy and Education departments. The largest classroom facility ever built by a Texas state university, the new complex boasts more than 300 classrooms and offices - all of which now rely on multi-layer switches from 3Com Corporation (NASDAQ: COMS) to connect to the campus network.

Today, using a local area network (LAN) based on 48 3Com SuperStack(R) 3 Switch 4400s, Texas Tech delivers instant access to the Internet and its vast online resources to 1,800 faculty, staff and students throughout the $38.4-million complex. The intelligent switches allow the university to ensure that distance learning and academic endeavors on the EPE Complex network are not affected by recreational Internet surfing or music downloading.

"We wanted a network worthy of our investment in an academic facility designed for the new millennium," said J Stalcup, Texas Tech's director of telecommunications. "3Com delivered exactly that: a fast, intelligent, easy-to-manage solution with more than enough bandwidth to exchange files, send email, conduct research, update student records and even broadcast video over IP."

Proven Performance, Exceptional Features

For almost a decade, Texas Tech has used 3Com systems to connect tens of thousands of PCs, printers, and other network devices campus-wide. As a result, the university chose 3Com for its access devices in its new facility. Texas Tech chose the 3Com SuperStack 3 Switch 4400 for its speed, reliability and advanced traffic prioritization features.

Connected by fiber to the university's Gigabit Ethernet backbone, 48 SuperStack 3 Switch 4400 switches in the wiring closets deliver switched 10/100 megabits per second (Mbps) Ethernet connectivity over copper to lecture halls, conference rooms, computer labs and faculty offices. Students and staff can use desktop PCs or attach notebook PCs to Ethernet wall outlets located conveniently in classrooms, lecture halls and common areas to gain high-speed access to the network.

In addition to administrative applications, file sharing, Internet access, and the Raiderlink portal connecting users to campus services, the 3Com LAN also supports Texas Tech's distance education program in three classrooms which broadcast interactive video over IP. Students enrolled in distance learning courses can communicate with professors in real-time via email, instant messaging or voice, providing a classroom-like environment for every lecture.

The Switch 4400's innovative ability to prioritize time-sensitive network voice and video traffic ensures this streaming content travels smoothly over the network without jitter or delays. The multi-layer switch's application-blocking feature gives Texas Tech the ability to prevent users from accessing MP3 music and games typically found on the Internet, assuring the LAN is used for appropriate academic and administrative purposes.

Hot-swappable stacking capability on the Switch 4400 allows the IT staff to replace and reconfigure individual switches in a stack without sacrificing network performance -- a feature which will save the university significant maintenance time and expense. In addition, Texas Tech uses the 3Com Network Supervisor network management application to proactively manage the LAN. The advanced application provides a complete view of every switch, server, PC and printer as well as their interconnect speeds via easy-to-use graphical displays.

"3Com has always been our first choice for reliable switches that provide incomparable value," Stalcup said. "Our new 3Com LAN lives up to that long relationship, flawlessly delivering the advanced network applications our university community has come to expect."

About 3Com

3Com is a tier-one provider of innovative, practical and high-value networking products for enterprise customers. 3Com is also a leader in Internet protocol (IP) service platforms and access infrastructure for the network service provider market. For further information, please visit www.3com.com, or the press site www.3com.com/pressbox.

3Com, the 3Com logo and SuperStack are registered trademarks of 3Com Corporation. All other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.