3COM CORP
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<TYPE>EX-10
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       <p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:12pt;text-align:right;'><b><font SIZE=2>Exhibit 10.1</font></b></p>
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       <p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:12pt;text-align:center;'><b><font SIZE=2>SEVERANCE BENEFITS AGREEMENT</font></b></p>

       <p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:12pt; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>This Severance Benefits Agreement (the &#147;</font><i><font size=2>Agreement</font></i><font size=2>&#148;) is made and entered into by and between James Hamilton (the &#147;</font><i><font size=2>Executive</font></i><font size=2>&#148;) and 3Com Corporation (&#147;</font><i><font size=2>3Com</font></i><font size=2>&#148; or the &#147;</font><i><font size=2>Company</font></i><font size=2>&#148;), effective as of January 31, 2006 (the &#147;</font><i><font size=2>Effective Date</font></i><font size=2>&#148;).  3Com and the Executive shall each individually be referred to herein as a &#147;</font><i><font size=2>Party</font></i><font size=2>&#148; and together as the &#147;</font><i><font size=2>Parties</font></i><font size=2>.&#148;</font></p>

       <p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

       <p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>WHEREAS, the Executive is currently employed by the Company as its President, TippingPoint Division, and is eligible to receive severance benefits pursuant to the Company&#146;s Section 16 Officer Severance Benefit Plan (as amended, the &#147;</font><i><font size=2>Plan</font></i><font size=2>&#148;) and the Executive&#146;s Management Retention Agreement, effective November 2, 2005 (the &#147;</font><i><font SIZE=2>MRA</font></i><font size=2>&#148;); and</font></p>

       <p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:12pt; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>WHEREAS, the Company seeks to provide the Executive with alternative severance benefits in the event of the Executive&#146;s decision to voluntarily terminate his employment with 3Com within a defined period.</font></p>

       <p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:12pt; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.</font></p>

       <p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:12pt; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font><u><font size=2>Term of Agreement</font></u><font size=2>.  This Agreement shall be effective as of the Effective Date and shall terminate on February 2, 2007.</font></p>

       <p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:12pt; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font><u><font size=2>Eligibility to Receive Severance Benefits</font></u><font size=2>.  The Company shall provide the Executive with the severance benefits described in Section 3 below upon the occurrence of the following conditions:  On or after November 2, 2006, the Executive shall provide reasonable, written notice to the Company of his decision to voluntarily terminate his employment with 3Com, with the effective date of the Executive&#146;s termination occurring no later than February 2, 2007, and the Executive shall sign and not revoke an agreement including, but not limited to, a full and final release of claims against the Company, its affiliates and representatives.  The form and language of the release agreement shall be determined by the Company in its sole discretion.</font></p>

       <p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:12pt; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font><u><font size=2>Severance Benefits</font></u><font size=2>.  If the conditions set forth in Section 2 above are fully satisfied, the Executive will be entitled to receive the following severance benefits:</font></p>

       <p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:12pt; text-indent:1in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>a)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font><u><font size=2>Severance Payments</font></u><font size=2>.  The Executive shall receive a lump sum severance payment in a total gross amount equal to six (6) months of his base salary and one-half (1/2) of his annualized target bonus, both as of the Executive&#146;s employment termination date.  The severance payment shall be paid through the Company&#146;s regular payroll practices, less all applicable taxes and withholdings, no later than thirty (30) days following the Company&#146;s receipt of the signed (and non-revoked) release agreement referenced in Section 2 above.  The severance payment will not be subject to deductions for 401(k) contributions, health and welfare benefit premiums, or Employee Stock Purchase Plan contributions.</font></p>

       <p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:12pt; text-indent:1in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>b)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font><u><font size=2>Benefits Continuation</font></u><font size=2>.  The Company shall provide the Executive with Company-paid health, dental, and vision insurance coverage at the same level of coverage as was provided to the Executive immediately prior to the Executive&#146;s employment termination date </font></p>

       <p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:12pt;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

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       <p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:12pt; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

       <p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:12pt;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>(the &#147;</font><i><font size=2>Company-Paid Coverage</font></i><font size=2>&#148;).  The Company-Paid Coverage shall continue until the earlier of (i) six (6) months from the Executive&#146;s employment termination date, or (ii) the date upon which the Executive becomes eligible under another employer&#146;s health, dental, or vision insurance plan(s).  For purposes of Title X of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (&#147;</font><i><font SIZE=2>COBRA</font></i><font size=2>&#148;), the date of the &#147;qualifying event&#148; for the Executive shall be the Executive&#146;s employment termination date, and each month of Company-Paid Coverage provided hereunder shall offset a month of continuation coverage otherwise due under COBRA.  Any such continuation of Company-Paid Coverage shall be governed by COBRA and the terms and conditions of the applicable plan documents.  The
       Executive understands and agrees that he will be fully responsible for all premiums for Company-sponsored insurance coverage upon the earlier of: (1) the date upon which the Executive becomes eligible under another employer&#146;s health, dental, or vision insurance plan(s) or (2) the expiration of the six-month Company-Paid Coverage period.</font></p>

       <p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:12pt; text-indent:1in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>c)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font><u><font size=2>Equity Compensation</font></u><font size=2>.  The Executive shall receive the following benefits regarding his Company-issued equity compensation:</font></p>

       <p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:12pt; text-indent:1.5in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>i)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Six (6) months of accelerated vesting of outstanding stock options, restricted stock, and restricted stock units issued to the Executive by the Company that are subject to time-based vesting;</font></p>

       <p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:12pt; text-indent:1.5in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>ii)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Accelerated vesting of 12.5% of each grant of stock options, restricted stock, and restricted stock units issued to the Executive by the Company that are not subject to time-based vesting (other than cliff vesting), such as PAVRS;</font></p>

       <p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:12pt; text-indent:0.54in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>4.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font><u><font size=2>Restrictive Covenant and Non-Competition Agreement.</font></u><font size=2>  The Executive signed a Restrictive Covenant and Non-Competition Agreement effective February 21, 2005 (the &#147;</font><i><font size=2>Restrictive Covenant Agreement</font></i><font size=2>&#148;) for the benefit of the Company.  If the conditions set forth in Section 2 above are fully satisfied and the Executive receives the severance benefits provided in Section 3 above, the Executive and the Company hereby agree to the following modifications to the Restrictive Covenant Agreement:</font></p>

       <p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:12pt;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>The second sentence of Section 7 of the Restrictive Covenant Agreement (Non-Competition/Non-Solicitation) shall be amended to read as follows:</font></p>

       <p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:12pt; margin-left:1in;text-align:justify;'><i><font size=2>Therefore, I agree to comply with the following restrictions during the term of my employment with 3Com and for a period of six (6) months thereafter (the &#147;Restrictive Period&#148;).</font></i></p>

       <p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:12pt;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>This amendment shall apply to all references to the term &#147;Restricted Period&#148; contained in the Restrictive Covenant Agreement.  The Restrictive Covenant Agreement shall be otherwise unmodified and shall remain in full force and effect.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font></p>

       <p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:12pt; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>5.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font><u><font size=2>At-Will Employment</font></u><font size=2>.  The Company and the Executive hereby acknowledge and agree that this Agreement is not intended to be and shall not be considered a contract for a term of employment.  The Parties further acknowledge and agree that the Executive&#146;s employment with 3Com is and shall continue to be at-will, as defined under applicable law, and may be terminated by either Party at any time, for any reason or no reason, with or without notice.  If the </font></p>

       <p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:12pt;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

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       <p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:12pt; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

       <p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:12pt;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>Executive&#146;s employment terminates for any reason other than the conditions specified in Section 2 of this Agreement, then the Executive shall not be entitled to receive severance or other benefits under this Agreement or any severance and/or benefits plans sponsored by the Company; provided, however, that the Executive will remain eligible to receive benefits under the terms and conditions of the Plan and the MRA.</font></p>

       <p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:12pt; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>6.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font><u><font size=2>Entire Agreement/Integration</font></u><font size=2>.  No agreements, representations or understandings (whether oral or written and whether express or implied) which are not expressly set forth in this Agreement have been made or entered into by either Party with respect to the subject matter hereof.  This Agreement represents the entire understanding of the Parties hereto with respect to the Executive&#146;s eligibility to receive severance benefits from the Company and supersedes all prior arrangements and understandings regarding such benefits, provided, however, that the Executive will remain eligible to receive benefits under the terms and conditions of the Plan and the MRA.  To the extent that Executive is entitled to receive or receives benefits under the Plan or the MRA, he shall not be eligible
       to receive any severance benefits under this Agreement.</font></p>

       <p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:12pt; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>7.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font><u><font size=2>No Duty to Mitigate</font></u><font size=2>.  The Executive shall not be required to mitigate the value of any severance benefits to which he may be entitled under this Agreement, nor shall any such benefits be reduced by any earnings or benefits that the Executive may receive from any other source, except as provided in Section 3(b) of this Agreement.</font></p>

       <p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:12pt; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>8.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font><u><font size=2>Choice of Law</font></u><font size=2>.  The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Texas.  The Parties hereby agree and consent to the jurisdiction of the state and federal courts of the State of Texas as the exclusive jurisdiction for settling any disputes arising hereunder.</font></p>

       <p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:12pt; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>9.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font><u><font size=2>Amendments</font></u><font size=2>.  This Agreement may not be modified, amended, supplemented or superseded unless by means of a written document signed by the Executive and the Company&#146;s President and Chief Executive Officer, Senior Vice President, Human Resources, or General Counsel.</font></p>

       <p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:12pt; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>10.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font><u><font size=2>Counterparts</font></u><font size=2>.  This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.</font></p>

       <p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:12pt; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

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       <p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:12pt;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>IN WITNESS WHEREOF, WHEREFORE, the Parties have read this Agreement, have carefully considered its provisions, have had an opportunity to discuss it with their attorneys, and attest that they are fully competent to execute this Agreement and that they fully understand and knowingly accept its terms and conditions in their entirety and without reservation.</font></p>


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                   <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0in;text-align:justify;margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0pt'><b><font SIZE=2>COMPANY</font></b></p> </td>
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                   <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0in;text-align:justify;margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0pt'><b><font size=2>3COM CORPORATION</font></b></p> </td> </tr></table>

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                   <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0pt'><u><font size=2>/s/  SUSAN H. BOWMAN</font></u></p> </td>
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                   <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0pt'><font SIZE=2>SUSAN H. BOWMAN</font></p> </td>
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                   <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0in;text-align:justify;margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Senior Vice President, Human Resources</font></p> </td> </tr>
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                   <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0in;text-align:justify;margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0pt'><u><font size=2>/s/  JAMES HAMILTON</font></u><b></b></p> </td>
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                   <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0pt'><font SIZE=2>JAMES HAMILTON</font></p> </td>
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                   <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0in;text-align:justify;margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>President, TippingPoint Division</font></p> </td> </tr>
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