3Com has added a virtualization feature to its routers via a partnership with LineSider Technologies, a provider of policy-based network infrastructure control and management products.

LineSider's OverDrive software will be offered by 3Com as the OverDrive suite for 3Com Open Services Networking, deployed on the company's MSR Series Multi-Service Router. The OverDrive software enables users to deploy and manage IP-based services across a network.

OverDrive is an automated, rules-driven policy server that controls and manages deployed network services and devices through business-level policies. OverDrive will allow enterprises and managed service providers to virtualize their networks and improve management of infrastructure services, 3Com says.

The software/router package also eliminates the need for dedicated appliances at the customer site, which results in savings on power and space requirements, the company says.

Two versions of LineSider's OverDrive software will be available for 3Com OSN:

-- OverDrive for the Enterprise software enables enterprises to define, control and manage network services, configurations and devices across a network to ensure that the network and infrastructure services are aligned with business objectives.

-- OverDrive for the Service Provider software is an automated, multi-tenanted package that enables service providers to deliver, manage and control IP services to multiple enterprise customers through a single policy-based administrative console.

OverDrive suite for Open Service Networking is already in use at GMH Communities Trust, a provider of housing, lifestyle and community services for college students and members of the US military and their families. GMH is implementing OverDrive as a network access control platform, which will utilize Microsoft's Active Directory (AD) to give administrators the ability to control users' access to defined network resources through AD and OverDrive policies, 3Com says.

LineSider is the latest product partner for 3Com's Open Service Networking initiative and MSR router line. Other include VBrick for video, Expand Networks for WAN acceleration, and an Asterisk-based VoIP module.