EXHIBIT 5.1

July 25, 2008

3Com Corporation
350 Campus Drive
Marlborough, MA 01752

     Re: Registration Statement on Form S-8

I am Deputy General Counsel and Assistant Secretary for 3Com Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and am issuing this opinion in connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the “Registration Statement”) to be filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about July 25, 2008 (as such may thereafter be amended or supplemented, the “Registration Statement”) in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of 3,000,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock (the “Sege Shares”) and associated preferred stock purchase rights (the “Rights”) issuable pursuant to the Stand Alone Stock Option Agreement and Stand Alone Restricted Stock Agreement by and between Ronald A. Sege and the Company and 375,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock and associated Rights (together with the Sege Shares, the “Shares”) issuable pursuant to the Stand Alone Stock Option Agreement and Stand Alone Restricted Stock Agreement by and between Eileen Nelson and the Company (as attached as exhibits to the Registration Statement, collectively, the “Plans”). I have examined and am familiar with originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to my satisfaction, of: (i) the Registration Statement; (ii) the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, as amended; and (iii) such records of the corporate proceedings of the Company as I have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinions set forth herein; and (iv) such other records and documents as I have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinion set forth herein.

Based upon and subject to the foregoing, I am of the opinion that the Shares and associated Rights, when issued and sold by the Company pursuant to and in accordance with the Plans, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. This opinion is furnished by me as Deputy General Counsel and Assistant Secretary for the Company in connection with the filing of the Registration Statement and is not to be used, circulated or quoted for any other purpose or otherwise referred to or relied upon by any other person without the prior express written permission of the Company other than in connection with the offer and sale of Shares while the Registration Statement is in effect.

Very truly yours,
 

/s/ Jeffrey M. Held  

Jeffrey M. Held 

Deputy General Counsel and Assistant Secretary

3Com Corporation