3Com and Crossbeam Systems Announce Strategic
Alliance to Deliver Integrated Security Solutions to Enterprises Worldwide

3Com to Market, Sell and Support Crossbeam Security Services Switches

MARLBOROUGH, Mass., and CONCORD, Mass., Nov. 3, 2003 — 3Com Corporation (NASDAQ: COMS) and Crossbeam Systems®, Inc., a leading global developer of total security solutions required for safer, simpler networks, today announced a strategic alliance and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) agreement designed to secure the communications, information and networks of enterprise customers around the world.

Under the agreement, 3Com will market, sell and support Crossbeam's security services switches to enterprise customers under the 3Com brand name. In line with 3Com's joint venture with Huawei and its strategy to pursue medium to large enterprises, Crossbeam's security services switches complement 3Com's existing security products by delivering the integrated security, performance and reliability required by those customers.

"We've aligned our people, products and partners around the three key growth areas of enterprise networking — Voice over Internet Protocol, Security and Wireless," said Bruce Claflin, 3Com president and CEO. "Crossbeam is a crucial piece of our portfolio, as it extends our product line to support larger enterprises and helps us quickly capitalize on the industry's migration to integrated security solutions."

"Security is an integrated component of the 3Com® network," added Anik Bose, 3Com vice president of corporate business development. "This alliance complements 3Com's strengths in end-point security and multi-site connectivity, by integrating best-of-breed applications along strategic points within the network infrastructure such as at the network perimeter, data center, intra- and inter-campus security containment zones."

"Building on our existing market momentum, this strategic alliance will dramatically expand our market presence and ability to secure networks around the world," said Peter George, president and CEO of Crossbeam Systems. "As a leader in enterprise networking, 3Com is an ideal ally based on its large installed base, global sales force and complementary security and networking products."

Crossbeam Systems has deployed its high performance, high availability security services switches to enterprise, government and service provider customers around the world. Crossbeam's unique multi-application approach to network security delivers firewall, virtual private network, intrusion detection and prevention, anti-virus and web filtering security applications from leading software vendors, including: Check Point Software Technologies, Internet Security Systems, Inc. (ISS), Trend Micro, Enterasys Networks, F-Secure, Websense and Secure Computing. The Crossbeam security services switches have achieved "Secured by Check Point" certification, proving interoperability with the market leading VPN-1®/FireWall-1® software from Check Point.

"This strategic alliance between 3Com and Crossbeam underscores the increased importance of security when deploying a comprehensive, integrated network infrastructure," said Gil Shwed, chairman and CEO, Check Point Software Technologies (NASDAQ: CHKP). "We are pleased to see that the Crossbeam solution, one of the best platforms to run our market-leading VPN-1/FireWall-1 software, expands its network reach with this strategic alliance with 3Com."

"As enterprise networks are increasingly probed and attacked on a daily basis, creating a reliable, multi-layered network defense is a critical issue facing businesses today," said Thomas E. Noonan, president and CEO, Internet Security Systems. "As an existing Crossbeam application partner, we look forward to providing our intrusion detection and prevention software on Crossbeam security services switches as part of an integrated security solution for 3Com customers."

Product Availability and Sales Distribution
3Com expects to begin offering 3Com-branded security services switches to its enterprise customers in December 2003. 3Com will sell and market 3Com-branded security products through a limited set of system integrators and channel partners worldwide excluding China and Japan.

About 3Com
3Com is a tier-one provider of innovative, practical and high-value voice and data networking products and solutions for enterprises of all sizes and public sector organizations. For further information, please visit www.3com.com, or the press site www.3com.com/pressbox.

About Crossbeam Systems
Headquartered in Concord, Massachusetts, USA, Crossbeam Systems, Inc., was founded in early 2000 and is led by senior executives from Bay Networks, Cisco, Nortel/Wellfleet and Alcatel. With a presence in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific, Crossbeam is backed by top-tier investors including Matrix Partners, North Bridge Venture Partners, Commonwealth Capital Venture Partners, Intel Capital and Charles River Ventures.