Network firm 3Com Corporation was chosen to upgrade RTN's administrative local area network, according to RTN's head of operations, naval electronics department, Captain Suchart Nutchanart.

"The new state-of-the-art system will keep up with rapid growth of users, and their demands for faster response times when using online applications," said Captain Nutchanart. "The new network backbone consists of 3Com core switches between the RTN's headquarters in Bangkok and its Sattahip naval base supported by an optical fibre cable wide area network. "

3Com, a US$1.3 billion global network infrastructure supplier, also provides network-based intrusion prevention systems through its TippingPoint division.

Wanted: reliability and stability

"We require the most reliable and stable network solution to support the Navy's very large and distributed IT network across the country," said Captain Nutchanart. "Since we have been working with 3Com, we have been very impressed with the performance and reliability of their technology as well as their excellent after-sales service, which includes training programmes for our staff."