3Com strikes pact with Hitachi

The maker of computer-networking equipment plans to license routing technology from Hitachi's Information and Computer Systems Group, signaling the company's latest effort to fill technology gaps through third parties rather than by building it themselves.

The Japan-based firm's technology will allow 3Com to provide an Internet-based networking system similar to those built by routing giant Cisco Systems and Juniper Networks. 3Com announced a similar deal recently with Copper Mountain Networks to resell that firm's high-speed digital subscriber line (DSL) phone equipment.

Despite recently shedding some of its networking systems businesses, 3Com has said it wants to remain in the high-end communications carrier business. It already provides network access equipment for consumer Internet connections and related software, floated under an umbrella strategy called "CommWorks."

3Com last month said it would retain its high-end communications carrier focus, even as it exited other lucrative high-end niches, such as corporate switching, where it will rely on technology from start-up Extreme Networks.

The networking firm will resell five different models from Hitachi's GR 2000 line of routing devices, according to a company representative. The devices, to be resold under the 3Com brand name, will be available in the third quarter of this year.