Dynamic duo on cards at 3Com

3Com has released a new generation of network interface cards. The Etherlink XL and Fast Etherlink XL are PCI bus mastering network interface cards (NICs) which operate at 10Mbps and 100Mbps.

A suite of advanced software and hardware enhancements, called Dynamic Access, has been included in the cards to interact with users' networks to optimise overall performance.

Dynamic Access is a framework for scaling the network's performance, extending its reach and managing its growth.

Features include Picturetel Liveshare Plus software, priority access control enabled (Pace) multimedia support, desktop distributed Rmon, efficient multicast control and Pace interactive access performance enhancements.

Free software upgrades will eventually make Dynamic Access features more widely available, but initially it will only come on the XL NICs.

Doug Spreng, executive VP of 3Com's personal connectivity operation, said: 'With Dynamic Access features, the network interface card allows customers to take full advantage of their current 10Mbps and 100Mbps shared and switched environments.'

The new XL NICs also offer complete driver support for the most popular network OSs, as well as Autolink software for easy installation.

The fast Etherlink XL NIC supports 10/100 Base-TX, is available now and is priced at around u101. The Etherlink XL NIC comes on stream on July 22 1996, in either TPO or Combo versions, priced at around u68. Both are covered by the same lifetime warranty offered on all 3Com's networks and interface cards.

Contact: 01628 897000.