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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 OiP1Y4nOw1twYksdNeobwWuFsoIbzLafYlefW0D4hgOdgKKGNDzJ+MtQk+dQ+0T/
 R0giEG8yzXsImGgTobi7qA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001182493-09-000028.txt : 20091009
<SEC-HEADER>0001182493-09-000028.hdr.sgml : 20091009
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20091009121634
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001182493-09-000028
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20091007
FILED AS OF DATE:		20091009
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20091009

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Sherman J Donald
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001344702

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-12867
		FILM NUMBER:		091113453

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O AKAMAI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
		STREET 2:		8 CAMBRIDGE CENTER
		CITY:			CAMBRIDGE
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02142

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			3COM CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000738076
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	COMPUTER COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT [3576]
		IRS NUMBER:				942605794
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0529

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		350 CAMPUS DRIVE
		CITY:			MARLBOROUGH
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01752-3064
		BUSINESS PHONE:		508-323-1000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		350 CAMPUS DRIVE
		CITY:			MARLBOROUGH
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01752-3064
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgardoc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-10-07</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000738076</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>3COM CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>COMS</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001344702</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Sherman J Donald</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>350 CAMPUS DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MARLBOROUGH</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>01752-3064</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-10-07</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>18716</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>18716</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Non-Derivative shares were awarded pursuant to 3Com Corporation's 2003 Stock Plan in accordance with a Compensation Committee policy to make annual grants to all non-employee directors on the fifth trading day of each October.  These shares cannot be sold until vesting requirements have been met.  The shares become vested on the first anniversary of the grant date.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>J. Donald Sherman</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-10-09</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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