14
C
HAPTER
1: I
NTRODUCTION
Onboard 3XP Processor
The 3CR990 NIC represents a new generation of secure,
intelligent client NICs with an onboard RISC processor
(3XP processor). The 3XP processor is designed to optimize
system and network performance. The NIC off-loads key
networking and security tasks from the host PC CPU
(central processing unit) to the 3XP processor, even when
running bandwidth-intensive applications such as voice,
video, imaging, and Internet and intranet applications.
Data Encryption
The 3CR990 NIC provides DES (Data Encryption Standard
56-bit) encryption and 3DES (triple-DES 168-bit)
encryption. Encryption processing is handled entirely
by the 3XP processor and the encryption chip that resides
on the NIC.
The onboard encryption chip enables true end-to-end
network security (IPSec) at the data capacity of the
connected network cable (wire speed), without sacrificing
performance.
LAN Encryption Software for Windows 95/98
3Com Dynamic
Access
®
LAN Encryption software is
available on the
EtherCD
packaged with your NIC. The LAN
Encryption utility secures communication for individual
computers by ensuring authentication, encryption, and
data integrity. It intercepts incoming and outgoing
communication and encrypts it, blocks it from passing, or
lets it through without encryption.
Dynamic
Access
LAN Encryption software supports both
DES (56-bit) and 3DES (168-bit) encryption. For detailed
information on Dynamic
Access
LAN Encryption, see the
Dynamic
Access LAN Encryption Software Administrator’s
Guide
, located with the Dynamic
Access
LAN Encryption
software on the 3Com
EtherCD
. (For installation
instructions, see Installing DynamicAccess LAN Encryption
Software on page 76.)
