Cisco Network Consulting Cisco Switches Consulting Services From CCIE and CCNP Qualified Experts
Cisco's current generation of switches focus on providing intelligence at the network edge, where one network environment talks with another. The need for intelligence at the edge of the network is being driven largely by four important developments:
Increase in PC computing ability
Introduction of bandwidth-consuming applications
Presence of confidential data on the network
Larger assortment of appliances, e.g. VoIP phones and WLAN access points
The latest line-of-business applications demand higher bandwidth resulting in a need to categorize and manage network traffic. Applications such as enterprise resource planning and VoIP must have a higher priority to network bandwidth than less performance-critical applications such as File Transfer Protocol or, for e-mail, Simple Mail Transfer Protocol. It is no longer acceptable, for example, to have a large file download assigned to a single port on a switch to extend the latency, and reduce the intelligibility, in voice traffic destined to a different port on the same switch. This condition is avoided by ensuring that voice processes are properly identified and expedited across the network.
Cisco switches deliver exceptional QoS to make sure that network traffic is differentiated and assigned priorities, and that bottlenecks are avoided. Set up of Quality of Service (QoS) is dramatically streamlined through automatic Quality of Service, a process that detects Cisco IP phones and automatically configures the switch for the right classification and exit queuing. This enhances process hierarchies and network accessibility without forcing your IT department to implement a complex set up plan.
With Cisco Catalyst switches for small and midsize businesses, Cisco allows customers to get the full benefits of adding intelligent services into their networks. Catalyst switches make it possible to install capabilities that make the network infrastructure resilient to handle real time needs, expandable to facilitate future growth, secure enough to protect sensitive information, and capable of classifying and prioritizing processes to optimize network operations.
Cisco Catalyst 2950 Family of Switches Catalyst 2950-24 and 2950-12 non-modular, managed 10/100 switches provide basic small-group networking for small to midsize companies. These wire-speed desktop appliances offer IOS Software functions for simple data, video, and voice control at the network edge.
Catalyst 2950G-12, 2950G-24, 2950G-48, and 2950G-24-DC Series switches are stackable devices that provide wire-speed connectivity to the desktop and Gbit uplink capability using a variety of available Gigabit Interface Converter uplinks. These appliances, in addition to the Cisco Catalyst 2950T-24 and 2950C-24 devices, deliver smart services like availability, protection, and quality of service to the edge of the network by means of the convenient Cisco Cluster Management Suite (CMS) web-based utility. These devices also come with Cisco Enhanced Image Software installed to support smart services.
The Catalyst 2950C-24 Series provides 24 10/100 Ethernet ports as well as two dedicated 100BASE-FX ports. The Cisco 2950T-24 provides an easy migration path to Gigabit by utilizing existing copper wiring environments with 24 auto-sensing 10/100 ports as well as two fixed 10/100/1000BASE-T uplinks. Embedded in the Catalyst 2950 switch is the Cisco Cluster Management Suite (CMS) web-based utility, which enables you to configure and repair multiple Cisco Catalyst desktop products utilizing a conventional web browser.
Catalyst 3560 Family Switches The Catalyst 3560 family is a line of fixed-configuration switches that includes IEEE 802.3af and Cisco Power over Ethernet (PoE) capability in 10/100 and Gigabit Ethernet configurations. Cisco's Catalyst 3560 switch is an ideal Layer 2 switch for midsize business LAN connectivity or branch-office environments, offering both Gigabit and Power over Ethernet (PoE) options for optimal productivity and fast ROI while facilitating the installation of new technology such a Voice over IP, wireless access, video monitoring, and remote video kiosks. IT managers can deploy networkwide intelligent services such as high-end quality of service (QoS), rate limiting, ACLs, multicast administration, and broadband IP routing while maintaining the ease of conventional network switching.
The Catalyst 3560 switch is provided with a robust set of capabilities that permit network scalability and higher availability through IP routing as well as a complete complement of STP enhancements designed to increase availability in a Layer 2 LAN. Enhancements to the conventional Spanning Tree Protocol, including PVST+, and Uplink Fast, as well as advances such as Flex Links, maximize network efficiency. Per-VLAN Spanning Tree Plus (PVST+) supports Layer 2 traffic sharing on backup links to exploit the extra bandwidth inherent in a redundant architecture.
Efficient protocols such as OPSF, EIGRP, Border Gateway Protocol (BGP), and static routing improve network scale; Protocol Independent Multicast optimizes network resources; and Virtual Route Forwarding Lite secures traffic. data.
Cisco Catalyst 3750 Series Switches For mid-size organizations and corporate local sites, the Cisco Catalyst 3750 Series simplifies integration of converged applications and adapts to evolving competitive environments by providing configuration versatility, ability to manage converged network patterns, and automatic configuration of smart network services. In addition, the Cisco Catalyst 3750 switch is engineered for high-density 1000 Ethernet deployments and includes a wide selection of switches that comply with connectivity, aggregation, or small-network backbone-interface demands.
The Cisco Catalyst 3750 Series is available with the IP Base or the IP Services image. The IP Base image functions include advanced quality of service, rate-limiting, ACLs, and simple static and Routing Information Protocol routing support. The IP Services image provides a richer selection of enterprise-class functions, including sophisticated hardware-based IP unicast/multicast routing.
StackWise technology is a mechanism designed for 1000 Ethernet. Cisco StackWise is intended to react to additions, deletions, and redeployments while providing consistent operation. StackWise unites up to nine individual switches into one functional unit, using special stack-interface cables and stacking software. Any of the switches can be any combination of the Cisco Catalyst 3750 switches and the Cisco Catalyst 3750-E Series switches. The stack operates as a single switching appliance that is directed by a control switch, elected from one of the stack of switches. The master switch automatically builds and keeps current all the switching and user-selected routing databases. A deployed stack can accommodate new members or remove old devices with no operational discontinuity.
Cisco Catalyst 4500 Family Switches Catalyst 4500 switches are targeted for corporate LAN access, satellite offices, Network Layer distribution points, small and midsize businesses (SMBs), and metro Ethernet deployments. The Cisco Catalyst 4500 family consists of a series of chassis containing from 3 to ten slots and a set of supervisor engines delivering up to 136 Gbps of layer 2 through layer 4 switching. Cisco's Catalyst 4500 family switches accept a rich set of interface modules, including dense 10/100BASE-T, 10/100/1000 (either one with 802.3af options), 100BASE-LX10, 100BASE-BX-D, plus 1 and 10 Gigabit Ethernet.
The Cisco Catalyst 4500 Series has a price-performance range of enclosures: Cisco Catalyst 4510R (10-module capacity) with redundant supervisor capability), Catalyst 4507R (7 slots) with backup supervisor option), Cisco's Catalyst 4506 (six expansion slots) and Catalyst 4503 (three expansion slots).
Catalyst 4948 Series Switches The Cisco Catalyst 4948 Series switch is a wire-speed, low-latency, Layer 2-4, 1 rack unit (RU) fixed-configuration device for rack-optimized server switching. Based on the tested Cisco Catalyst 4500 switch design, the Cisco Catalyst 4948 switch provides high throughput and reliability for low density aggregation of high performance servers and desktops. High performance and expandability of smart network services is enabled with specialized technology called ternary content addressable memory. Plentiful TCAM resources (64,000 entries) enable high function capacity, offering wire-rate routing/switching performance with simultaneous provisioning of services that include Quality of Service (QoS) and protection. This helps ensure scalability for current network requirements with ample room for future growth.
The Catalyst 4948 switch offers 48 ports of wire-rate 10/100/1000 with four alternative wired ports that can accommodate 1000BASE-X Small Form-Factor Pluggable CWDM transponders. Industry-leading dependability and serviceability are provided with available internal AC or DC 1 + 1 hot-swappable fault-tolerant power units and hot-swappable fans.
The Cisco Catalyst 4948 can isolate different Layer 2 traffic at the same time, while preserving IP address space. The Cisco Catalyst 4948 can defend against IP spoofing attacks to the rest of network with no modification of the server setup.These attempts can be recorded by the Cisco Catalyst 4948 Series switch for security analysis.
Catalyst 6500 Switches The Catalyst 6500 Series switch is a high-performance modular switch/router engineered for consolidation of data center, campus, and Wide Area Network in a single system. Corporate Wide Area Network, Internet access, data center connectivity features such as Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS), resilience, quality of service, and security together with IOS Software scalability offer investment protection in the Local Area Network and extend that advantage to the WAN.
Catalyst 6500 switches offer a broad selection of interface protocols spanning from DS0 to OC192/STM64, 10Mbps to 10-GE modules. Catalyst 6500 switches form the foundation of corporate WAN infrastructure by providing advanced IP routing technologies, built-in IPv4 and 6, Multiprotocol Label Switching, and outstanding speed integrated in one platform. The Catalyst 6500 Series is the premier Cisco Layer 3 switch for the enterprise WAN, access, aggregation, and core edge of the corporate infrastructure with advantages in scalability and versatility such as 720 Gbps integrated switch fabric performance with Cisco Catalyst 6500 Supervisor Engine 720, the ability to expand up to 400 million packets per second performance with intelligent forwarding, 32 Gbps bus-based architecture for slower Wide Area Network aggregation, a fast processor for Layer 3 interface convergence and consistency, as well as expandable IP routing and Multiprotocol Label Switching operation accelerated in hardware with no performance impact.
How Progent's Experts Can Help You with Cisco Catalyst Switches
Progent's CCIE certified service experts can assist you to choose and integrate Cisco switches in a way appropriate for your existing competitive requirements and your plans for downstream growth. Progent's CCIE offer enterprise-class technical support for the most challenging network problems, and Progent's on-line support specialists can monitor your system operations and detect early-stage problems and repair them before they significantly disturb productivity. Progent's CISA qualified network security support professionals can help you create a company-wide security plan and set up Cisco switches so as to help support your protection plans.
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Catalyst 2950-24 and 2950-12 non-modular, managed 10/100 switches provide basic small-group networking for small to midsize companies. These wire-speed desktop appliances offer IOS Software functions for simple data, video, and voice control at the network edge.
The Catalyst 3560 family is a line of fixed-configuration switches that includes IEEE 802.3af and Cisco Power over Ethernet (PoE) capability in 10/100 and Gigabit Ethernet configurations. Cisco's Catalyst 3560 switch is an ideal Layer 2 switch for midsize business LAN connectivity or branch-office environments, offering both Gigabit and Power over Ethernet (PoE) options for optimal productivity and fast ROI while facilitating the installation of new technology such a Voice over IP, wireless access, video monitoring, and remote video kiosks. IT managers can deploy networkwide intelligent services such as high-end quality of service (QoS), rate limiting, ACLs, multicast administration, and broadband IP routing while maintaining the ease of conventional network switching.
For mid-size organizations and corporate local sites, the Cisco Catalyst 3750 Series simplifies integration of converged applications and adapts to evolving competitive environments by providing configuration versatility, ability to manage converged network patterns, and automatic configuration of smart network services. In addition, the Cisco Catalyst 3750 switch is engineered for high-density 1000 Ethernet deployments and includes a wide selection of switches that comply with connectivity, aggregation, or small-network backbone-interface demands.
Catalyst 4500 switches are targeted for corporate LAN access, satellite offices, Network Layer distribution points, small and midsize businesses (SMBs), and metro Ethernet deployments. The Cisco Catalyst 4500 family consists of a series of chassis containing from 3 to ten slots and a set of supervisor engines delivering up to 136 Gbps of layer 2 through layer 4 switching. Cisco's Catalyst 4500 family switches accept a rich set of interface modules, including dense 10/100BASE-T, 10/100/1000 (either one with 802.3af options), 100BASE-LX10, 100BASE-BX-D, plus 1 and 10 Gigabit Ethernet.
The Cisco Catalyst 4948 Series switch is a wire-speed, low-latency, Layer 2-4, 1 rack unit (RU) fixed-configuration device for rack-optimized server switching. Based on the tested Cisco Catalyst 4500 switch design, the Cisco Catalyst 4948 switch provides high throughput and reliability for low density aggregation of high performance servers and desktops. High performance and expandability of smart network services is enabled with specialized technology called ternary content addressable memory. Plentiful TCAM resources (64,000 entries) enable high function capacity, offering wire-rate routing/switching performance with simultaneous provisioning of services that include Quality of Service (QoS) and protection. This helps ensure scalability for current network requirements with ample room for future growth.
The Catalyst 6500 Series switch is a high-performance modular switch/router engineered for consolidation of data center, campus, and Wide Area Network in a single system. Corporate Wide Area Network, Internet access, data center connectivity features such as Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS), resilience, quality of service, and security together with IOS Software scalability offer investment protection in the Local Area Network and extend that advantage to the WAN.
