3Com(R) Wireless LAN Mobility System Safeguards Network Learning for Newport News Public Schools

... with more than 33,000 students and 4,900 staff spread across 45 schools - has dramatically improved the security and performance of its wireless LANs using the ...

Setting an example for other K-12 school districts, the Newport News Public Schools in Newport News, Virginia - with more than 33,000 students and 4,900 staff spread across 45 schools - has dramatically improved the security and performance of its wireless LANs using the 3Com(R) Wireless LAN Mobility System.

The Wireless LAN Mobility System from 3Com Corporation centralizes features such as configuration, user authentication and virtual LAN functionality, enabling Newport News Public Schools to manage more than 500 wireless access points district-wide from a single location.

"Thanks to 3Com, our wireless LAN is now as secure and easy to maintain as our hard-wired network," said John Savage, executive director of technology, Newport News Public Schools. "We have complete control over every access point simultaneously from any computer in the district, allowing us to give our staff and students fast access to the resources they need while keeping unauthorized users off the network."

Deployed in most of Newport News Public Schools' 52 buildings with the remainder underway, the 3Com Wireless LAN Mobility Solution eliminates security vulnerabilities inherent in earlier generations of high-speed wireless networking equipment, without sacrificing power or flexibility. Consisting of the 3Com WX4400 Wireless LAN Controller, Wireless Access Point 2750 managed access points (MAPs) and Wireless Switch Manager software, the wireless switching solution enables the district to create user profiles and push them to dozens of access points with a single click. Teachers and students connect swiftly to permitted applications, but would-be hackers are blocked from the network.

"The market for business-class wireless LAN will continue to see double-digit shipment growth for the remainder of the decade as companies increase wireless LAN coverage. Key to this growth is a centralized management architecture that can effectively administer geographically distributed deployments," said Jean Kaplan, Enterprise Networks and Wireless LAN analyst at IDC.

Newport News now enjoys all the benefits of fast, versatile wireless networking, with no fear of compromising student information or district data. The WLAN expands available network access district-wide, supporting educational applications including online testing, Oracle Collaboration Suite, server-based educational programs and live streaming video. In addition, the WLAN carries administrative applications such as payroll, maintenance and the ESIS student information system. All users are centrally authenticated for network-wide protection, regardless of location.

In addition, the IT team no longer travels from site to site to manage the wireless network. Instead, they merely log in from the data center to configure access points for optimal performance, allocate bandwidth based on demand and track users' locations by access point. They also identify and block transmissions from unauthorized wireless equipment.

"No other vendor offered anything remotely comparable to the 3Com Wireless LAN Mobility Solution in terms of security, cost-effectiveness, practicality and scalability," Savage concluded. "Our wireless network is now an open door to the world for our staff and students -- but it's closed and locked against everyone else."

About 3Com Corporation

3Com Corporation (NASDAQ: COMS) is a leading provider of secure, converged voice and data networking solutions for enterprises of all sizes. 3Com offers a broad line of innovative products backed by world class sales, service and support, which excel at delivering business value for its customers. Through its TippingPoint division, 3Com is the leading provider of network-based intrusion prevention systems that deliver in-depth application protection, infrastructure protection, and performance protection for corporate enterprises, government agencies, service providers and academic institutions. For further information, please visit www.3com.com, or the press site www.3com.com/pressbox.

Copyright (C) 2005 3Com Corporation. 3Com and the 3Com logo are registered trademarks of 3Com Corporation. All other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective holders.

Contacts

3Com Corporation Anthony Petrucci, 508-323-1547 anthony_petrucci@3com.com

Source: Business Wire (press release) - San Francisco,CA,USA