3Com Corporation Limited Warranty

3Com OfficeConnect Dual Speed Hub 8

The duration of the warranty for the OfficeConnect Dual Speed Hub 8 (3C16750A) is lifetime, including the power adapter.

Advance hardware exchange is available during the first year from your date of purchase in accordance with 3Com’s standard terms and conditions for such service. After the first year the warranty reverts to 3Com’s standard lifetime limited warranty.

To qualify for the lifetime limited warranty and the advance hardware exchange you must submit the appropriate product warranty registration card to 3Com, otherwise this product will be warranted for a period of one (1) year without advance hardware exchange.

HARDWARE

3Com warrants this hardware product to be free from defects in workmanship and materials, under normal use and service, for the following length of time from the date of purchase from 3Com or its authorized reseller:

One (1) year (unless otherwise specified above)

3Com’s sole obligation under this express warranty shall be, at 3Com’s option and expense, to repair the defective product or part, deliver to Customer an equivalent product or part to replace the defective item, or if neither of the two foregoing options is reasonably available, 3Com may, in its sole discretion, refund to Customer the purchase price paid for the defective product. All products that are replaced will become the property of 3Com. Replacement products may be new or reconditioned. 3Com warrants any replaced or repaired product or part for ninety (90) days from shipment, or the remainder of the initial warranty period, whichever is longer.

SOFTWARE

3Com warrants that each software program licensed from it will perform in substantial conformance to its program specifications, for a period of ninety (90) days from the date of purchase from 3Com or its authorized reseller. 3Com warrants the media containing software against failure during the warranty period. No updates are provided. 3Com's sole obligation under this express warranty shall be, at 3Com's option and expense, to refund the purchase price paid by Customer for any defective software product, or to replace any defective media with software which substantially conforms to applicable 3Com published

specifications. Customer assumes responsibility for the selection of the appropriate applications program and associated reference materials. 3Com makes no warranty or representation that its software products will meet Customer’s requirements or work in combination with any hardware or applications software products provided by third parties, that the operation of the software products will be uninterrupted or error free, or that all defects in the software products will be corrected. For any third party products listed in the 3Com software product documentation or specifications as being compatible, 3Com will make reasonable efforts to provide compatibility, except where the non-compatibility is caused by a "bug" or defect in the third party's product or from use of the software product not in accordance with 3Com’s published specifications or user manual.

YEAR 2000 WARRANTY

In addition to the Hardware Warranty and Software Warranty stated above, 3Com warrants that each product sold or licensed to Customer on and after January 1, 1998 that is date sensitive will continue performing properly with regard to such date data on and after January 1, 2000, provided that all other products used by Customer in connection or combination with the 3Com product, including hardware, software, and firmware, accurately exchange date data with the 3Com product, with the exception of those products identified at 3Com’s Web site, http://www.3com.com/products/yr2000.html, as not meeting this standard. If it appears that any product that is stated to meet this standard does not perform properly with regard to such date data on and after January 1, 2000, and Customer notifies 3Com before the later of April 1, 2000, or ninety

(90)days after purchase of the product from 3Com or its authorized reseller, 3Com shall, at its option and expense, provide a software update which would effect the proper performance of such product, repair such product, deliver to Customer an equivalent product to replace such product, or if none of the foregoing is feasible, refund to Customer the purchase price paid for such product.

Any software update or replaced or repaired product will carry a Year 2000 Warranty for ninety (90) days after purchase or until April 1, 2000, whichever is later.

OBTAINING WARRANTY SERVICE

Customer must contact a 3Com Corporate Service Center or an Authorized 3Com Service Center within the applicable warranty period to obtain warranty service authorization. Dated proof of purchase from 3Com or its authorized reseller may be required. Products returned to 3Com's Corporate Service Center must be pre-authorized by 3Com with a Return Material Authorization (RMA) number

Hub specifications

3Com Hub: A Cornerstone of Early Networking Technology

The 3Com Hub represents one of the pioneering devices in the realm of computer networking. Developed by 3Com Corporation in the late 1980s, it played a significant role in facilitating communication within local area networks (LANs). As an essential component during the rise of networked computing, the 3Com Hub laid the groundwork for the development of more advanced networking technologies that followed.

One of the main features of the 3Com Hub is its ability to connect multiple devices within a network in a straightforward manner. Operating primarily at the data link layer (Layer 2) of the OSI model, the hub allows for the interconnection of computers, printers, and other network devices using twisted-pair Ethernet cables. Typically available in 8, 16, or 24 ports, it offered scalability to organizations as they expanded their networks.

The hub operates using Ethernet technology, which was evolving rapidly at the time. It effectively transmitted data packets by broadcasting signals to all connected devices. While this method is simple and efficient for smaller networks, it also means that bandwidth is shared among all devices. This mechanism could lead to collisions when multiple devices attempted to send data simultaneously, a common limitation during the era of hubs.

In terms of characteristics, the 3Com Hub is a plug-and-play device, meaning it requires no complex configuration. This ease of installation was particularly advantageous for organizations that were just beginning to adopt networking technologies. The hub also supported a variety of Ethernet standards, including 10BASE-T and 100BASE-T, allowing for flexible implementation as network requirements evolved.

3Com hubs were designed with durability in mind, with a robust chassis that could withstand the rigors of office environments. They typically featured LED indicators for power and link status, providing users with immediate feedback about the operation of the network. Although modern networking has moved toward switches and routers that provide greater efficiency and intelligence, the 3Com Hub remains an iconic representation of early networking solutions.

In conclusion, the 3Com Hub played a vital role during the formative years of computer networking, providing the foundation for many of the technologies that dominate today’s networks. While it may seem primitive in the context of advanced networking options available today, its influence on the development of LAN technologies is undeniable. As organizations continue to navigate the evolution of networking, the legacy of the 3Com Hub endures.