# 3Com

> company

**Wikidata**: [Q229329](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q229329)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3Com)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/3com

## Summary
3Com was an American networking hardware company founded in 1979 by Robert Metcalfe, the inventor of Ethernet. It specialized in developing and commercializing networking technologies, including Ethernet hardware, and played a pivotal role in the early development of local area networks (LANs). The company was dissolved in 2010 after being acquired by HP, which later split into HP Inc. and Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE).

## Key Facts
- **Founded**: 1979 by Robert Metcalfe
- **Founders**: Robert Metcalfe, William R. Lane, and others
- **Headquarters**: Marlborough, Massachusetts, United States
- **Industry**: Computer hardware, networking hardware, information technology
- **Products**: Ethernet hardware, network operating systems (e.g., LAN Manager), and networking software
- **Dissolution**: April 12, 2010, after being acquired by HP
- **Employees**: Approximately 6,000 at its peak
- **Country of Origin**: United States
- **Website**: http://www.3com.com/
- **Wikipedia Title**: 3Com
- **Wikidata ID**: Q19923099
- **Sitelink Count**: 26
- **Instance of**: Company, Business, Organization
- **Followed by**: Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE)
- **Follows**: Hewlett-Packard (HP)
- **Owned by**: Hewlett-Packard (HP)
- **Member of**: Wi-Fi Alliance
- **Developed**: LAN Manager (discontinued Microsoft networking operating system)
- **Affiliated with**: Aruba Networks, Hewlett Packard Enterprise
- **Created**: Ethernet, Metcalfe's law
- **Located in**: United States, Marlborough

## FAQs
### Q: What was 3Com known for?
A: 3Com was known for developing and commercializing Ethernet hardware, which became a foundational technology for local area networks (LANs). It also created the LAN Manager network operating system and contributed to the development of networking standards.

### Q: Who founded 3Com?
A: 3Com was founded by Robert Metcalfe, an American electrical engineer and computer scientist, along with William R. Lane and others in 1979.

### Q: What happened to 3Com?
A: 3Com was dissolved on April 12, 2010, after being acquired by Hewlett-Packard (HP). HP later split into HP Inc. and Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE).

### Q: What products did 3Com produce?
A: 3Com produced Ethernet hardware, network operating systems like LAN Manager, and networking software. Its Ethernet products were widely used in early LAN implementations.

### Q: Where was 3Com headquartered?
A: 3Com was headquartered in Marlborough, Massachusetts, United States.

## Why It Matters
3Com played a crucial role in the development of modern networking infrastructure. Its invention of Ethernet hardware, along with Robert Metcalfe's formulation of Metcalfe's law, laid the groundwork for the widespread adoption of local area networks (LANs). The company's networking technologies were foundational for enterprise and consumer connectivity, influencing the growth of the internet and digital communication. By commercializing Ethernet and developing the LAN Manager operating system, 3Com enabled businesses and individuals to share resources and data efficiently. Its dissolution in 2010 marked the end of an era in networking hardware, with its legacy continuing through its acquisition by HP and the subsequent formation of Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE). 3Com's contributions to networking technology have had a lasting impact on global communication and the digital economy.

## Notable For
- **Invention of Ethernet Hardware**: 3Com developed and commercialized Ethernet hardware, which became a standard for LANs.
- **Commercialization of Ethernet**: The company played a key role in making Ethernet technology widely available and accessible.
- **Development of LAN Manager**: 3Com created the LAN Manager network operating system, which was used for managing LANs.
- **Contribution to Networking Standards**: 3Com's work influenced the development of networking standards and protocols.
- **Founding by Robert Metcalfe**: The company was founded by Robert Metcalfe, who also formulated Metcalfe's law about network value.
- **Acquisition by HP**: 3Com was acquired by Hewlett-Packard (HP) in 2010, leading to the formation of Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE).
- **Headquarters in Marlborough**: The company was headquartered in Marlborough, Massachusetts, a significant location in the history of networking technology.
- **Member of Wi-Fi Alliance**: 3Com was a member of the Wi-Fi Alliance, contributing to the development of Wi-Fi technology.

## Body
### History and Founding
3Com was founded in 1979 by Robert Metcalfe, an American electrical engineer and computer scientist, along with William R. Lane and others. The company was headquartered in Marlborough, Massachusetts, United States. Metcalfe, who had developed Ethernet technology while working at Xerox PARC, co-founded 3Com to commercialize Ethernet and other networking solutions.

### Products and Technologies
3Com specialized in developing and commercializing networking hardware and software. Its most notable product was Ethernet hardware, which became a standard for local area networks (LANs). The company also developed the LAN Manager network operating system, which was used for managing LANs and functioning as an authentication protocol. Additionally, 3Com produced networking software and other related technologies.

### Industry Impact
3Com played a pivotal role in the development of modern networking infrastructure. Its Ethernet hardware and LAN Manager operating system were widely adopted by businesses and organizations, enabling efficient data sharing and communication. The company's contributions to networking technology influenced the growth of the internet and digital communication. Metcalfe's formulation of Metcalfe's law, which posits that the value of a network is proportional to the square of the number of users, further shaped the economics and development of networking technologies.

### Dissolution and Legacy
3Com was dissolved on April 12, 2010, after being acquired by Hewlett-Packard (HP). The acquisition led to the formation of Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), which continues to build upon 3Com's legacy in enterprise computing and networking. The company's dissolution marked the end of an era in networking hardware, with its legacy living on through its products and the continued development of networking technologies.

### Affiliations and Memberships
3Com was affiliated with several organizations, including Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) and Aruba Networks. The company was also a member of the Wi-Fi Alliance, contributing to the development of Wi-Fi technology. These affiliations helped 3Com maintain its position in the networking industry and continue to innovate in the field.

### Related Entities
3Com was related to several other entities, including Hewlett-Packard (HP), Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), and Aruba Networks. The company was also connected to the United States, where it was headquartered and operated. Additionally, 3Com was associated with the Wi-Fi Alliance, which played a role in the development of Wi-Fi technology.

### Key People
Robert Metcalfe, the founder of 3Com, was a significant figure in the development of networking technology. He is best known as the inventor of Ethernet and the formulator of Metcalfe's law. Metcalfe's contributions to networking technology have had a lasting impact on the industry. Other key people associated with 3Com include William R. Lane and others who played roles in the company's founding and development.

### Headquarters and Location
3Com was headquartered in Marlborough, Massachusetts, United States. The company's headquarters location was significant in the history of networking technology, as it was where the company's innovations were developed and commercialized. The headquarters location also reflected the company's connection to the United States and its role in the global networking industry.

### Dissolution and Acquisition
3Com was dissolved on April 12, 2010, after being acquired by Hewlett-Packard (HP). The acquisition led to the formation of Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), which continues to build upon 3Com's legacy in enterprise computing and networking. The dissolution of 3Com marked the end of an era in networking hardware, with its legacy living on through its products and the continued development of networking technologies.

### Industry and Market Position
3Com operated in the computer hardware, networking hardware, and information technology industries. The company's products and technologies were widely adopted by businesses and organizations, enabling efficient data sharing and communication. 3Com's contributions to networking technology influenced the growth of the internet and digital communication, shaping the economics and development of networking technologies.

### Legacy and Continuation
3Com's legacy continues through its acquisition by Hewlett-Packard (HP) and the formation of Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE). The company's innovations in Ethernet hardware and LAN Manager operating system have had a lasting impact on the networking industry. 3Com's contributions to networking technology have shaped the development of modern networking infrastructure, influencing the growth of the internet and digital communication.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.wi-fi.org/membership/member-companies)
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. National Software Reference Library
4. [Source](http://www.linux-usb.org/usb.ids)
5. [Source](http://km.aifb.kit.edu/services/crunchbase/)
6. Quora
7. [Source](https://www.iana.org/assignments/enterprise-numbers/enterprise-numbers)
8. [Source](https://golden.com/wiki/3Com-5K6NP)