3Com Corp, San Jose has switched to multiple Am29000 RISC processors for new versions of its NETBuilder II router for fourth quarter delivery. The NETBuilder II Multiprocessor architecture is claimed to offer dramatic increases in performance, scaling to over 500,000 packets per second, and will be available for all NETBuilder chassis. The NETBuilder II 8-slot Extended Chassis, will offer up to 48 ports, and compatibility with all existing input-output modules, with hot-swappable modules, a dual power supply and Flash memory for superior reliability. The MP Ethernet six-port 10Base-T Module is rated at over 250,000 packets per second, a 50% increase in aggregate Ethernet port capacity over the current NETBuilder II four- and eight-slot chassis. The eight-slot Extended Chassis will cost $13,000 and the Ethernet six-port Module is $8,000.
