Today's routers ordinarily include L2 switching capability, and many of today's switches include some Layer 3 routing functionality. Routers offered by Cisco, the producer of the vast majority of the industry's routers, have improved dramatically in function and speed and Cisco makes an extensive portfolio that features routers built to handle the needs of users ranging from individual telecommuters to nationwide ISPs.
The most recent Integrated Services Routers from Cisco have the speed and integrated features to support IP voice and video as well as virtual environments while also providing high availability, web-based administration, seamless extensibility, and advanced security and compliance. These routers allow your company to build a solid basis for an IT environment that can evolve seamlessly as you hire new employees, open extra sites, deploy new services, extend your system to clients and partners, and build an expanding mobile user base. Progent's Cisco CCIE network engineers offer immediate and affordable remote support to assist you to plan, configure, administer, upgrade, and troubleshoot Cisco's most advanced router technology and can assist you to support your legacy routers or migrate efficiently to Cisco's newer router products.
Cisco Routers for Home and Small Offices and Branch Offices
Cisco's routers for smaller organizations and branch offices offer affordable and dependable entry-level alternatives that enable limited groups of users to share secure access to the Internet. All these fixed-configuration desktop routers include at least four Ethernet ports with wireless options and integrated firewall to provide enhanced protection. Built for easy installation, management, and support, Cisco's entry-level routers reduce ownership costs by cutting equipment and operational investments. Progent's online support specialists have extensive backgrounds providing immediate and economical IT help for small organizations to configure and support these devices, and Progent's CCIE network engineers can help your company to understand ways Cisco's entry-level routers can add to the strategic value of your information system.
ISR 900 Series Integrated Services Routers
The Cisco ISR 900 Series desktop routers are compact, fanless, set-configuration appliances designed for small to medium-sized businesses, branches, and home offices. These value-priced routers include four managed GE switch ports and can support Metro Ethernet, LTE, and DSL WAN connectivity. Cisco's ISR 900 router family delivers three times the IPsec performance of Cisco's ISR 800 Series family of routers. All ISR 900 models feature Group Encrypted Transport VPN, DMVPN, FlexVPN, and firewall. VPN throughput is as high as 250 Mbps. All models allow up to 50 virtual LANs. Supported dynamic failover technology for high availability include VRRP, Hot Standby Router Protocol (HSRP), and Multigroup HSRP (MHSRP). Setup and management can be done with Cisco CP Express, Cisco DNA Center, and Cisco IOS. Cisco ISR 900 Series routers do not work with Cisco's SD-WAN solution.
The Cisco ISR 921 router comes with dual GE WAN, Category 4 LTE, and a built-in power supply. VPN performance is 150 Mbps. The ISR 926 and ISR 927 routers use external power and feature a single WAN port, LTE Cat 4, plus VDSL2 and ADSL2/2+ high-speed broadband. GE WAN VPN throughput for both routers is 150 Mbps. The top-of-the-line ISR 931 supports dual GE WAN and includes an internal power supply. GE WAN VPN throughput is 250 Mbps.
Cisco Meraki MX Series SD-WAN Security Appliances
The Cisco Meraki MX family of desktop routers combine software-defined wide area networking (SD-WAN) and cloud-based unified threat management in one compact appliance able to handle 50 to 200 users. Each MX router must be licensed for the Meraki cloud. For venues with multiple WAN network options (e.g., MPLS, broadband, cellular), SD-WAN technology allows administrators to assign the WAN connection a given app should use or to build performance-based rules to determine the appropriate interface. Cisco Meraki MX fixed-configuration desktop security appliances share important capabilities that include:
Cisco 1000 Series ISR Enterprise Branch Routers
Cisco 1000 and 1100 family Integrated Services Routers using Cisco IOS XE software are a line of fanless appliances intended to deliver high-performance network service, wireless support, and advanced security for SMBs, enterprise branches, retail stores, customer premises equipment (CPE), and machine-to-machine environments. Multiple parallel processing cores and compatibly with Cisco IOS XE enable these routers to offer features consistent with Cisco's complete family of Enterprise routers. 1000 and 1100 Series ISR models are offered with 4 or 8 LAN ports and provide GE packet forwarding. Available features include PoE and PoE+, auto provisioning, plus a selection of built-in or pluggable connections for LAN, WAN, WLAN, VDSL2/ADSL2+, 4G LTE wireless, 802.11 wireless, and SFP Fiber. Cisco 1000 family ISR models work with Cisco's SD-WAN subscription services for seamless multi-cloud access, multilayer security, and cohesive monitoring and management of hybrid network models of any complexity.
Cisco's rackmount or desktop ISR 1100-4G router includes four built-in GE WAN/LAN ports, built-in 3G/4G LTE with two LTE antenna sockets, and one micro-SIM slot. Encryption speed is 200 Mbps. The Cisco ISR 1100-6G router adds two 1G SFP ports and features encryption speed of 520 Mbps. Cisco's desktop-only 1101-4P ISR router includes four built-in GE interfaces, offers 802.11ac Wi-Fi as well as 3G/4G LTE wireless, and delivers encryption performance of 280 Mbps. Cisco's ISR 1109-2P/4p desktop routers include two or four built-in switched GE ports and two pluggable 3G/4G LTE wireless ports. Encryption packet processing performance is 200 Mbps.
The 1RU or desktop 111x-4P/8P ISR routers come with four or eight built-in GE interfaces (two or four provide PoE) and feature VDSL2/ADSL2+, 802.11ac, 3G/4G LTE, and 1G SFP. Encryption rate is 280 Mbps. Cisco's rackmount or desktop 1111X-8P ISR router comes with eight switched GE interfaces (four with POE) and a port for 1G SFP. Encryption rate is 340 Mbps. The ISR 112x-8P router has eight built-in switched GE ports with Power over Ethernet and supports SHDSL, VDSL2/ADSL2+, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, 3G/4G LTE, and 1G SFP. Encryption rate is 340 Mbps. Cisco's 1161X-8P ISR router includes eight switched GE interfaces with PoE and provides 3G/4G LTE and SFP Fiber. Encryption performance is 450 Mbps.
Catalyst 8000 Series Branch and WAN Edge Platforms for SD-WAN and Routing
Cisco Catalyst 8000 line of routers are modular appliances designed to operate at the enterprise branche and the WAN edge to support hybrid networks that can incorporate multiple public and private clouds and SaaS applications. All Catalyst 8000 devices use Cisco IOS XE SD-WAN Software and offer scalability, intelligent cloud security, and 5G connectivity. Performance is enhanced using purpose-built hardware, a multicore architecture, high port capacity, and line-rate encryption. Cisco's subscription software services offer continual access to the latest SD-WAN technology and allow centralized management with advanced cybersecurity, application-optimized policies, segmentation, and cloud readiness.
Cisco Catalyst 8200 Series Enterprise Branch Edge Routers
Cisco Catalyst 8200 routers are upgrades to Cisco's 4300 Series ISRs, offering higher IPsec performance and scale, hardware-accelerated encryption, plus greater integrated WAN port density. These 1RU routers are built to provide Cisco's SASE, Software-Defined WAN and 5G-connection technology to enterprise branches and the enterprise access edge. Cisco's Catalyst C8200L-1N-4T model features four CPU cores, supports 500 Mbps IPsec traffic, and allows 1,500 SD-WAN tunnels. Cisco's Catalyst 8200L platform does not support container-based apps. The Catalyst C8200-1N-4T model includes eight CPU cores, delivers 1Gb IPsec throughput, permits 2,500 SD-WAN tunnels, and allows edge computing with in-place container models. Both devices come with a Network Interface Module (NIM) slot, one PIM slot, two 1G Ethernet WAN ports, and two 1G Ethernet WAN SFP ports. Four-port and eight-port 1G Ethernet switch NIM modules are available for both 8200 routers.
Cisco Catalyst 8300 Enterprise Edge Routers
Catalyst 8300 WAN Edge routers are designed to supersede Cisco's 4400 Series Integrated Services Routers, delivering Cisco's secure SD-WAN architecture to medium-sized and large company branch offices looking for high WAN IPSec performance combined with unified SD-WAN services. Advanced features include 5G wireless support, integrated cybersecurity, WAN MACSec, integrated enhanced Layer 2 switching, and Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) with application optimization. Catalyst 8300 Series WAN Edge routers enable edge computing for an in-place container architecture for Cisco UCS-E modules offered on Cisco's 4000 line of ISR routers. All models in the Cisco Catalyst 8300 Series portfolio support 4,000 SD-WAN tunnels and include dual power supplies for high uptime.
The Cisco Catalyst 8300-1N1S-6T router is a 1RU device that includes 8 CPU cores and delivers 2G SD-WAN throughput and IPsec performance as high as 1.9Gbps. The unit includes a single SM plug-in slot, a NIM slot, and six built-in 1-Gigabit Ethernet WAN ports. The Catalyst 8300-2N2S-6T router is a two-rack unit model that includes 8 CPU cores and delivers 2G SD-WAN performance and IPsec performance as high as 1.9Gbps. The unit includes two Service Module expansion slots, two Network Interface Module slots, and six integrated 1-Gigabit Ethernet WAN interfaces. The Cisco Catalyst C8300-1N1S-4T2X router model is a 1RU appliance that includes 8 CPU cores and supports 5G SD-WAN performance and IPsec throughput up to 15Gbps. The unit features one a single SM plug-in slot, a Network Interface Module slot, two built-in 10-Gigabit Ethernet WAN ports, and four fixed 1G Ethernet WAN interfaces. The Catalyst C8300-2N2S-4T2X device is a 2RU appliance that features 12 CPU cores and delivers 5G SD-WAN performance and IPsec data rates up to 18Gbps. The router includes two SM plug-in slots, two NIM slots, two built-in 10-Gigabit Ethernet WAN ports, and four built-in 1-Gigabit Ethernet WAN interfaces. LAN expansion modules available from Cisco range from a 4-port 1-Gigabit Ethernet switch NIM module to a 50-port Catalyst L2 switch Service Module.
Cisco Catalyst 8500 Aggregation Edge Routers
The Catalyst 8500 Aggregation Edge routers are fixed, one-rack unit aggregation models for SD-WAN and colocation deployments. Built-in features include route processor, embedded services processor (ESP), and aggregation hardware for multiple connection options. IPsec throughput is double compared to Cisco's earlier generation ASR1001-X router. Available interface alternatives include 1GE, 10GE, 40GE, and 100GE WAN interfaces. The routers come with redundant AC or DC power units for enhanced resilience. Software subscription suites provide ongoing use of Cisco DNA Center Software for SD-WAN and routing and enable unified management of cybersecurity, application-based policies, network segmentation, and cloud connectivity optimization.
The Catalyst C8500L-8S4X Aggregation Edge router is designed to offer a similar basic functionality as Cisco's ASR 1000 appliance. The C8500L-8S4X includes four 1/10GE WAN ports and supports as high as 20 Gbps aggregate data rates. SD-WAN IPsec performance is up to 19Gbps. The Cisco Catalyst C8500-12X appliance features 12 built-in 1/10GE WAN interfaces and delivers up to 120 Gbps Cisco Express Forwarding aggregate data rates. SD-WAN IPsec performance is up to 51 Gbps. The C8500-12X4QC aggregation router includes four integrated 1/10GE WAN interfaces and eight 1G interfaces and can support up to 200 Gbps aggregate performance. SD-WAN IPsec performance is up to 68 Gbps.
Cisco Integrated Services Generation 2 Routers
Cisco's Integrated Services Generation 2 routers are designed to provide branch offices of large businesses with enhanced video and voice applications, virtual networking, security, and dependable WAN access. ISR Generation 2 routers feature a design that protects prior investments in service modules for first-generation Integrated Services Routers and lowers future costs by permitting easy installation of additional modules as they become available. Compared to previous ISR routers, Cisco's ISR G2 routers feature 2-7 times more performance, far greater expandability, and more affordable maintenance. All Integrated Services G2 routers support GE switching and incorporate multi-core CPUs and ultra-fast fabric for higher throughput. Integrated Services G2 routers also offer intelligent power management for better energy conservation.
A major innovation with Integrated Services Generation 2 routers is the IOS Software Universal image which includes all of the IOS technology sets so that you can rapidly authorize and deploy extra functions as required without having to acquire and copy a different IOS image to yourrouter. Progent's group of CCIE network consultants can provide proven expertise to help you to plan, implement, and support multi-site installations of Cisco ISR Generation 2 routers that enhance branch office efficiency and cut the costs of upgrades and maintenance.
Cisco's ISR 800 Series Routers
The 800 Series of ISR routers has been superseded by the faster Cisco ISR 900 family but remains widely used. Cisco's comprehensive line of 800 Series ISR routers consists of desktop, fanless devices designed and priced for small businesses, branch offices, retail venues, teleworkers, and customers of ISPs. Many devices in the 800 family of routers have been developed with various options for many years. Cisco's 881 Series of ISR routers suggests the wide selection of options offered within the Cisco 800 Series line of routers. Models in Cisco's 881 Series router portfolio can enable unified media environments by delivering IP voice and video, Wi-Fi and cellular wireless and data in a single integrated router and switch. Built-in data protection can include encryption, VPN, firewall, and URL filtering. For survivability, available options for 881 ISR routers include redundant wide area network connections or support for wired broadband WAN connections like DSL as well as multiple 3G and 4G wireless WAN connections all on a single desktop appliance.
The baseline Cisco 881 features a 4-port 10/100-Mbps managed switch with up to 15 Mbps performance, support for up to 20 users, 2-port integrated Power over Ethernet, and IPv6 support. Cisco's 881W ISR router supports 802.11g/n Wi-Fi. The 881 SRST router includes 4 FXS ports and 1 FXO port for PSTN fallback with Cisco SRST. With a Cisco CUBE feature license, Cisco's 881 ISR router allows SIP trunk connectivity to replace legacy PRI lines or FXO voice connectivity to a PSTN carrier. CUBE-based SIP trunks also connect remote agents in Cisco Call Center environments.
4000 Series ISR Routers
Cisco's 4000 Line of Integrated Services Routers are compact modular and expandable platforms intended for organizations with multiple branches and remote workers requiring direct access to in-house data centers and public clouds across VPNs and the Internet. The 4000 series delivers the throughput needed for distributed enterprise sites to accommodate mobile workers, cloud services, and multimedia applications by utilizing WAN optimization, deep packet inspection, and advanced traffic-management techniques. Devices in Cisco's ISR 4000 Series are powered by Cisco's powerful IOS XE software, come in a 1RU or 2RU form factor, can support Up to 2 Gbps of throughput, and can include up to 3 network interface slots, 2 service module slots, 4 built-in 10/100/1000 Ethernet ports, and 8 CPU core server modules. ISR 4000 models can support integrated Gigabit Ethernet, T1/E1, T3/E3, PRI and xDSL. To manage unified communications, Cisco's 400o ISR provides comprehensive edge support for policy-enhanced SBC, telephony survivability, and TDM gateways.
The main difference between Cisco's 4400 ISR and 4300 Series is redundant power supply capability in the 4400 Series, offering a greater level of fault tolerance. The 4321 Integrated Services Router comes in a 1 RU desktop package and includes two network interface modules (NIMs), delivers up to 100 Mbps throughput, and can handle 240 Digital Voice/Video Channels. The 4331 ISR Router has a 1 RU form factor with two NIMs, delivers up to 300 Mbps performance, and can handle 360 Digital Voice/Video Channels. The 4351 ISR Router has a 2 RU form factor and includes three NIMs, provides as much as 400 Mbps performance, and supports 720 Digital Voice and Video Channels. Cisco's dual power supply 4431 Integrated Services Router comes in a 2 RU form factor with three network interface modules, delivers up to 1 Gbps performance, and allows up to 720 Digital Voice and Video Channels. The fault-tolerant 4431 ISR Router comes in a 2 RU package with three network interface modules, provides as much as 2 Gbps performance, and can handle 1200 Digital Voice and Video Channels.
Cisco's WAN Edge Routers and Service Provider Routers
Cisco's midrange and service provider routers can provide enterprises with fast, protected headends to manage satellite office and off-site traffic and to offer ISPs cost-optimized WAN edge solutions. Cisco's WAN aggregation and carrier router portfolio features the Cisco ASR 1000 product line and the 9000 Series Aggregation Services family.
Progent's national group of CCIE certified network engineers have extensive backgrounds helping enterprises and Internet service providers to design efficient deployments and seamless expansion of Cisco's midrange and carrier-class routers. Progent's GIAC-certified information assurance experts offer objective, independent network security inventory assessments, stealth penetration testing and advanced Security information and Event Management (SIEM) solutions to help companies with Cisco's Aggregation Services Routers to comply with industry guidelines and statutory regulations for network information protection and incident reporting.
Cisco ASR 1000 Series Aggregation Services Routers
Cisco's ASR 1000 Series Aggregation Services family of routers is designed to fill the middle of Cisco's midrange devices that focus on acting as headends at the wide area network edge. ASR 1000 routers offer a small form factor, single-product solution for enterprises requiring satellite office aggregation at supergigabit Ethernet speeds. Cisco's ASR 1000 Series WAN Edge routers introduce a revolutionary design that mixes hardware acceleration with programmable flexibility in order to deliver a multitude of concurrent services while preserving consistent performance.
ASR 1000 Series WAN Edge routers feature Cisco's proprietary QuantumFlow Processor incorporating 40 custom Packet Processing Engines that in combination can handle as many as 160 concurrent processor threads. This parallel CPU architecture, in conjunction with hardware acceleration for every service, enables the high-end ASR 1006 router to expand up to 128K queues, 32K subscribers, 4K IP security tunnels at 10K sessions/second, and 2M Netflow log records. This processing capability allows ASR 1000 Aggregation Services routers to deliver a broad range of sophisticated services concurrently in massive volume without suffering throughput degradation that could threaten adherence to service level agreements. These services include Cisco Firewall, IPS, NAT, Flexible Packet Matching, and in-line deep packet inspection. The Cisco ASR 1000 also allows tiered traffic management for applying numerous levels of QoS to a packet in a single operation, improving the user experience for next-generation voice, video, and conferencing applications.
Cisco ASR 9000 Series Routers
Cisco ASR 9000 Series Routers are intended as WAN-edge routers for carriers who are required to deliver the highest quality data, voice and video services to residential, business, and mobile users by providing zero downtime operation, high performance, and application awareness. All platforms in Cisco's ASR 9000 family of Routers run Cisco's IOS XR operating system, a self-healing, distributed operating system designed for non-stop availability. Performance of the Cisco ASR 9000 line of Routers can be expanded up to 96 Tbps per chassis. the Cisco ASR 9000 portfolio of Aggregation Services Routers can handle high-density Gigabit Ethernet (GE), 10 GE, and 100 GE and feature redundant fabric and power modules, power entry modules, plus redundant switch fabric.
The Cisco ASR 9001 model is a provider-edge router in a 6 RU package with 120 Gbps of nonblocking fabric performance. The Cisco ASR 9001 has two bays to support adapters for 1 GE, 10 GE, and 40 GE. The base chassis incorporates four 10 Gbit Ethernet SFP+ ports as well as ports for GPS clocking, BITS, and management. The ASR 9904 Router has a 6 RU chassis and provides dense 10 and 100 GE connectivity in space-constrained sites. The 4-slot ASR 9094 can scale up to 4 Tbps of switching capacity in a single chassis. The Cisco ASR 9912 platform has a 30 RU form factor and includes 12 slots slots that can provide 550 Gbps of switching capacity. The ASR 9912 includes 2 route processors as well as 6+1 Fabric Cards to provide N+1 redundancy.
Ways Progent's Consultants Can Assist Your Business to Support Cisco Router Products
Progent's CCIE certified engineers can help you to plan, setup, and maintain a converged network infrastructure that can streamline operations, lower costs, and speed the path to positive ROI. By teaming Cisco integrated services routers with Catalyst switches expertise and Catalyst and Meraki Wi-Fi wireless expertise, Progent can dramatically enhance the strategic value of your integrated network. Progent can provide in-person and off-site help and can provide data center support throughout the U.S.
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