From the New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/29/techn ... technology


By LAURIE J. FLYNN and KEITH BRADSHER
Published: September 29, 2007

3Com, an unprofitable computer networking company, said yesterday that it had agreed to be acquired by Bain Capital Partners for $2.2 billion in cash in an arrangement that also gives a Chinese company, Huawei Technologies, a minority stake in the company.

The deal means the end of an era for a storied Silicon Valley company that has stumbled in recent years in the face of more nimble competitors like Cisco and Nortel.

It also provides yet another test case for Washington lawmakers wary of high-technology deals with Chinese companies that they think could compromise American security.

Edgar Masri, 3Com’s president and chief executive, said the buyout would help make 3Com more competitive. “Going private will give us more flexibility,â€