Editing 3Com (section)

==History==

===Xerox PARC (1972–1979)===
After reading an article on [[ALOHAnet]], [[Robert Metcalfe]] became interested in computer networking. ALOHAnet was an over-the-air [[wide area network]] system in [[Hawaii]] using [[ultra high frequency]] radios and made several assumptions that Metcalfe thought would not be correct in practice. He developed his own theories of how to manage traffic, and began to consider an "ALOHAnet in a wire" networking system. In 1972, he joined [[PARC (company)|Xerox PARC]] to develop these ideas, and after pairing up with [[David Boggs]], the two had early 3&nbsp;Mbit/s versions of Ethernet working in 1973. They then went on to build up a networking protocol known as [[PARC Universal Packet]] (PuP), with the entire system ready for build-out by late 1974.{{sfn|Pelkey|2007|loc=6.7}}

At this point, Xerox management did nothing with it, even after being approached by prospective customers. Increasingly upset by management's lack of interest, Metcalfe left Xerox in 1975, but he was lured back again the next year. Further development followed, resulting in the seminal [[Xerox Network Systems]] (XNS) protocol, which was completed by 1978. Once again, Metcalfe found that management was unwilling to actually do anything with the product, and he threatened to leave and in 1979 he left the company.{{sfn|Pelkey|2007|loc=6.7}}

===Founding and early days (1979–1996)===
Metcalfe subsequently co-founded 3Com in 1979.<ref name=ICH/> The other co-founders were Metcalfe's college friend Howard Charney and two others.<ref name=ICH/> Bill Krause joined as President in 1981 and became CEO in 1982 and led 3Com until 1992 when he retired. 3Com began making Ethernet adapter cards for many early 1980s computer systems, including the [[PDP-11#LSI-11|DEC LSI-11]], [[VAX-11|DEC VAX-11]], [[Sun-2]] and the [[IBM Personal Computer|IBM PC]]. In the mid-1980s, 3Com branded their Ethernet technology as EtherSeries, while introducing a range of software and [[personal computer|PC]]-based equipment to provide shared services over a [[local area network]] (LAN) using XNS protocols. These protocols were branded EtherShare (for file sharing), EtherPrint (for printing), EtherMail (for [[email]]), and Ether-[[IBM 3270|3270]] (for [[IBM]] host emulation). 3Com became a public company via an [[initial public offering]] (IPO) in 1984.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cuff |first=Daniel F. |date=March 22, 1984 |title=Business People; Chairman Watches As 3COM Goes Public |work=The New York Times}}</ref>

The company's network software products included:
* [[3+Share]] file and printer sharing.
* 3+Mail e-mail.
* 3+Route for routing XNS over a 3+ Server serial port towards a remote 3+ (Route) LAN.
* 3+Remote/PC for routing XNS towards a Remote 3+ PC Workstation serial port.
* 3+NetConnect to support flexible XNS routing  between a number of connected 3+ Ethernets AND/OR Token Ring Networks.
* 3+3270/SNA Gateway to enable standard 3+ MS-DOS workstations to emulate standard IBM 3270 Terminals, via the 3+ LAN and the connected SNA Gateway, towards a remote IBM-compatible mainframe system
* MultiConnect (?) was a chassis-based multi-port [[10BASE2]] Ethernet repeater.
* [[3Server]], a server-grade PC for running 3+ services.
* [[3Station]], a [[Diskless node|diskless workstation]].
* 3+Open file and printer sharing (based on [[Microsoft]]'s [[LAN Manager]]).
* Etherterm terminal emulation.
* Etherprobe LAN analysis software.
* DynamicAccess software products for Ethernet [[load balancing (computing)|load balancing]], [[response time (technology)|response time]], and [[RMON]] II distributed monitoring.

[[File:3Com 3C509BC Ethernet NIC.jpg|thumb|[[3Com 3c509|3Com 3C509BC]] (Etherlink III) Ethernet [[Network interface controller|NIC]] from mid-1990s with [[10BASE2]], 15-pin [[Attachment Unit Interface|AUI]] and [[Ethernet over twisted pair|10BASE-T]] connectors]]
3Com's expansion beyond its original base of PC and thin Ethernet products began in 1987 when it merged with Bridge Communications. This provided a range of equipment based on [[Motorola]] 68000 processors and using XNS protocols compatibly with 3Com's Etherterm PC software.
* CS/1, CS/200 communication servers ("terminal servers")
* Ethernet bridges and XNS routers
* GS/1-X.25 X.25 gateway
* CS/1-SNA SNA gateway
* NCS/1 network control software running on a [[Sun Microsystems]] computer

By 1995, 3Com's status was such that they were able to enter into an agreement with the city of [[San Francisco, California|San Francisco]] to pay $900,000 per year for the [[naming rights]] to [[Candlestick Park]]. That agreement ended in 2002.

===1997–2000===
[[File:3COM Megahertz 3CCE589ET-6381.jpg|thumb|3Com [[PC Card]] for [[10BASE-T]]]]
In 1997, 3Com merged with [[USRobotics]] (USR), a maker of dial-up modems, and owner of [[Palm, Inc.]] USRobotics was known for its Sportster line of consumer-oriented modems, as well as its Courier business-class modem line. This merger spelled the beginning of the end of 3Com. In addition to consumer network electronics, USRobotics was a well-known manufacturer of a dialup access server, the "Total Control Hub", rebadged by 3Com as the "Total Control 1000", based largely on its Courier modem technology. This key business product competed against Cisco's AS5200 access server line in the mid-1990s as the explosion of the [[Internet]] led to service provider investment in dialup access server equipment. 3Com continued the development of the Total Control line until it was eventually spun off as a part of Commworks, which was then acquired by UTStarcom.<ref>{{cite web|title=3Com / USR/ UTStar Total Control Access Server |work=ISPTrader web site |url=http://www.isptrader.com/content/3com-usr-utstar-total-control-access-server |access-date=August 27, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713063955/http://www.isptrader.com/content/3com-usr-utstar-total-control-access-server |archive-date=13 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In August 1998, [[Bruce Claflin]] was named [[chief operating officer]]. The modem business was rapidly shrinking. 3Com attempted to enter the [[Digital subscriber line|DSL]] business, but was not successful.

In the lucrative server [[network interface controller]] (NIC) business, 3Com dominated market share, with [[Intel]] only able to break past 3Com after dramatic price slashing. It started developing [[Gigabit Ethernet]] cards in-house but later scrapped the plans. Later, it formed a joint venture with [[Broadcom]], where Broadcom would develop the main [[integrated circuit]] component and the NIC would be 3Com branded.

In 1999, 3Com acquired NBX, a Boston company with an [[VoIP phone|Ethernet-based phone]] system for small and medium-sized businesses. This product proved popular with 3Com's existing distribution channel and saw rapid growth and adoption. As one of the first companies to deliver a complete networked phone system, and increased its distribution channel with larger telephony partners such as [[Southwestern Bell]] and [[Metropark Communications]], 3Com helped make [[Voice over Internet Protocol|VoIP]] into a safe and practical technology with wide adoption.

3Com then tried to move into the smart consumer appliances business and in June 2000, 3Com acquired internet radio startup [[Kerbango]] for $80 million. It developed its [[3Com Audrey|Audrey]] appliance, which made an appearance on ''[[The Oprah Winfrey Show]]''. It scrapped the Audrey and Kerbango products less than a year later.

In March 2000, in a highly public and criticized move, 3Com exited the high-end core routers and switch market to focus on other areas of the business.<ref>{{cite news |title= 3Com exits enterprise network stage |work= Network World |author= Jim Duffy |date= March 20, 2000 |url= http://www.networkworld.com/news/2000/03203exit.html |access-date= September 1, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015151257/http://www.networkworld.com/news/2000/03203exit.html |archive-date=15 October 2012}}</ref> The CoreBuilder Ethernet and ATM LAN switches, PathBuilder and NetBuilder WAN Routers were all discontinued June 2000. CoreBuilder products and the customer base was migrated over to [[Extreme Networks]]. The PathBuilder and NetBuilder were transitioned to Motorola. 3Com focused its efforts from 2000 to 2003 on building up the HomeConnect, OfficeConnect, SuperStack, NBX and Total Control product lines. Due to this perceived exit from the Enterprise market, 3Com would never gain momentum with large customers or carriers again.

In July 2000, 3Com spun off [[Palm, Inc.|Palm]] as an independent company. Following Palm's IPO, 3Com continued to own 80{{nbsp}}percent of Palm, but 3Com's [[market capitalization]] was smaller than Palm's. U.S. Robotics was also spun out again as a separate company at this time.{{cn|date=March 2024}}

===2001 and beyond===
In January 2001, Claflin became [[chief executive officer]], replacing [[Éric Benhamou]], CEO from 1990 to 2000. He was criticized for the costly diversification in the mobile handheld computer market.
At this point, the company's main line of business, selling add-on network interface controllers ("NICs"), was also shrinking rapidly, mainly because many new computers had NICs built in. The company started slashing or selling divisions and going through numerous rounds of [[Reduction in force|layoffs]]. The company went from employing more than 12,000 employees to fewer than 2,000.

In May 2003, the company moved its [[Silicon Valley]] [[Santa Clara, California|Santa Clara]] headquarters to [[Marlborough, Massachusetts|Marlborough]], Massachusetts. It also formed a venture called H3C with [[Huawei]], whereby 3Com would sell and rebrand products under the joint venture.<ref>{{Cite web|date=6 May 2003|title=3Com to Move Out of Silicon Valley|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-may-06-fi-3com6-story.html|url-status=live|access-date=24 June 2021|website=Los Angeles Times|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210314170256/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-may-06-fi-3com6-story.html  |archive-date = 2021-03-14  }}</ref>

In 2003, 3Com sold its [[CommWorks Corporation]] subsidiary to [[UTStarcom|UTStarcom, Inc.]] CommWorks was based in Rolling Meadows, [[Illinois]], and developed wireline [[telecommunications]] and [[wireless]] [[infrastructure]] technologies.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hooper|first=Larry|date=2003-03-06|title=Partners Praise 3Com Growth Plan|url=https://www.crn.com/news/networking/18829859/partners-praise-3com-growth-plan.htm|access-date=2021-06-24|website=CRN|archive-date=2024-10-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007083445/https://www.crn.com/news/networking/18829859/partners-praise-3com-growth-plan|url-status=live}}</ref>

In January 2006, Claflin announced he would be leaving the company. In January 2006, R Scott Murray became CEO of 3Com and chairman of H3C Technology in China, the joint venture with Huawei Technologies. Murray voluntarily resigned from the company in August 2006 over his concerns about the questionable business ethics of Huawei and potential cyber security risks posed by Huawei. Edgar Masri returned to 3Com to head as president and CEO following Murray's departure.

In September 2007, Bain Capital agreed to buy the company for $2.2 billion, with minority equity financing from Huawei Technologies. However, the deal met with US government regulatory opposition and it fell through early in 2008, following concerns over Huawei's risk of conducting cyber security attacks against the United States and its allies, Huawei's former dealings in Iran, and Huawei being operated by a former engineer<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/03/13/tech/huawei-ren-zhengfei/index.html|title=Who is Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei?|author=Sherisse Pham|date=2019|website=CNN|access-date=2019-05-20|archive-date=2024-10-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007083552/https://www.cnn.com/2019/03/13/tech/huawei-ren-zhengfei/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> in China's [[People's Liberation Army]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boston.com/business/globe/articles/2007/09/29/3com_goes_private_in_bain_huawei_deal|title=3Com goes private in Bain, Huawei deal|first=Hiawatha|last=Bray|date=29 September 2007|work=The Boston Globe}}</ref><ref>[http://pcworld.about.com/od/networkin1/Deal-to-buy-3Com-falls-apart.htm Deal to Buy 3Com Falls Apart - About.com]  {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120218102515/http://pcworld.about.com/od/networkin1/Deal-to-buy-3Com-falls-apart.htm |date=February 18, 2012 }}</ref> Edgar Masri left the company in April 2008, partially as a result of the failed Bain transaction.

In April 2008, [[Robert Mao]] was named chief executive, and [[Ron Sege]] president and chief operating officer.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.3com.com/corpinfo/en_US/pressbox/press_release.jsp?INFO_ID=290414 |title=3Com Announces Senior Leadership Changes to Accelerate Global Business Plan |access-date=2008-05-13 |archive-date=2008-09-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905123502/http://www.3com.com/corpinfo/en_US/pressbox/press_release.jsp?INFO_ID=290414 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In fiscal year 2008 ended May 30, 2008, 3Com had annual revenue of $1.3 billion and more than 6,000 employees in over 40 countries. In September 2008, 3Com reported financial results for its fiscal 2009 first quarter, which ended August 29, 2008. Revenue in the quarter was $342.7 million compared to revenue of $319.4 million in the corresponding period in fiscal 2008, a 7 percent increase. Net income in the quarter was $79.8 million, compared with a net loss of $18.7 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=61382&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1199528&highlight=|title=News Releases|access-date=2008-10-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904033238/http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=61382&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1199528&highlight=|archive-date=2015-09-04|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The company reported that it had more than 2,700 engineers, with more than 1,400 United States patents and nearly 180 Chinese-issued patents, as well as more than 1050 pending Chinese applications. It also reported pending applications for 35 separate inventions outside of China covering a wide range of networking technologies.

===Acquisition by HP===
On November 11, 2009, 3Com and Hewlett-Packard announced that Hewlett-Packard would acquire 3Com for $2.7 billion in cash.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/newsroom/press/2009/091111xa.html |title=Press Release |publisher=Hewlett-Packard |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110313162100/http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/newsroom/press/2009/091111xa.html |archive-date=2011-03-13 }}</ref> On April 12, 2010, Hewlett-Packard completed its acquisition.<ref name="bought"/> When Hewlett-Packard split into Hewlett Packard Enterprise and HP Inc., the 3Com unit continued with HPE and was ultimately integrated into [[Aruba Networks]] along with the rest of HP's networking portfolio.