SAN FRANSISCO: US computer giant Hewlett-Packard announced on Wednesday that it has agreed to buy networking company 3Com for $2.7 billion, a move it hopes will help them further expand in the growing Chinese market.

The world’s largest computer maker said the 3Com purchase advances a strategy to offer businesses datacenter packages that combine servers, storage, networking, management and services. “By acquiring 3Com, we are accelerating the execution of our converged infrastructure strategy,” said HP

general manager of enterprise servers and networking Dave Donatelli. The takeover offer has been approved by HP and 3Com boards of directors.