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3Com Bonds Modems, Router

Device lets multiple users share network connection.

By Brian McWilliams, PCWorld   

The OfficeConnect Remote Dual Analog began shipping last week. Like the bonded modems from Boca and Diamond Multimedia, it lets you combine two analog lines for 112-kbps transmission speeds. But the 3Com OfficeConnect, which will have a street price of about $650, goes further, offering in one box a built-in router and even a firewall.

%dquotIt can form the basis of a mininetwork--in a home or small office or branch office--that can network together a few PCs,%dquot says John Navas, an independent telecommunications analyst. Navas named the OfficeConnect to his %dquotBest of Comdex 97%dquot list.

%dquotBecause it%squots a proxy server or minirouter, it can do the connection to your Internet automatically and do it over one or two phone lines. Like ISDN, it does bandwidth on demand with the second phone line: You can configure it with call waiting so if a call comes through on the second line it will disconnect and let the phone ring through, while still maintaining the connection on the other line. It will allow you to interrupt that second line to make an outbound call,%dquot Navas adds.

As with any bonded modem, to use both channels of the OfficeConnect simultaneously to connect to an ISP or remote access server, the equipment at the other end must allow dual connections. But because it includes a router, the 3Com product has the advantage of enabling multiple Internet users to share the same analog connection.