3Com adds virtualization to routers

by Jim Duffy

March 12, 2008 —

3Com has added a virtualization
feature to its routers via a partnership with LineSider Technologies, a provider
of policy-based network infrastructure control and management products.

LineSider's OverDrive software will be offered by 3Com as the OverDrive suite
for 3Com Open Services Networking, deployed on the company's MSR
Series Multi-Service Router. The OverDrive software enables users to deploy
and manage IP-based services across a network.

OverDrive is an automated, rules-driven policy server that controls and manages
deployed network services and devices through business-level policies. OverDrive
will allow enterprises and managed service providers to virtualize their networks
and improve management of infrastructure services, 3Com says.

The software/router package also eliminates the need for dedicated appliances
at the customer site, which results in savings on power and space requirements,
the company says.

Two versions of LineSider's OverDrive software will be available for 3Com OSN:

-- OverDrive for the Enterprise software enables enterprises to define, control
and manage network services, configurations and devices across a network to
ensure that the network and infrastructure services are aligned with business
objectives.

-- OverDrive for the Service Provider software is an automated, multi-tenanted
package that enables service providers to deliver, manage and control IP services
to multiple enterprise customers through a single policy-based administrative
console.

OverDrive suite for Open Service Networking is already in use at GMH Communities
Trust, a provider of housing, lifestyle and community services for college students
and members of the U.S. military and their families. GMH is implementing OverDrive
as a network access control platform, which will utilize Microsoft's Active
Directory (AD) to give administrators the ability to control users' access to
defined network resources through AD and OverDrive policies, 3Com says.

LineSider is the latest product partner for 3Com's Open Service Networking
initiative and MSR router line. Other include VBrick for video, Expand Networks
for WAN acceleration, and an Asterisk-based VoIP
module.

Network World