3Com's new gear for wireless networks

3Com introduced a product Monday that offers a way for devices to communicate over wireless LANs (local area networks). The 3Com Wireless Workgroup Bridge acts as a hub that can connect up to four devices that may not be configured for wireless access to an organization's local network. PCs, printers, phones and other equipment that can run on Ethernet technology link to the Workgroup Bridge via a cable, and the Bridge communicates the information to the network using the 802.11b, or Wi-Fi, wireless standard over the airwaves. Wireless gear offers an organization the flexibility of giving many computers LAN access without the need of a physical connection that requires cables. The downside is that security and speed are still obstacles. 3Com's device comes with security features and can run at speeds up to 11 megabits per second, more than 190 times faster than a standard dial-up 56K modem.