3Com embraces open source

3Com is moving away from proprietary solutions by creating what it says is an open platform for its enterprise-class switches and routers.

The company announced today the creation of what it calls Open Services Networking (OSN), an approach that allows a 3Com-made Linux-based module to be installed in some of the company's equipment so open source software developers can customize network capabilities for customers. There's also a special partner program for independent software developers.

3Com embraces open source.