Cisco Network Consulting and Support

Today's routers typically incorporate L2 switches, and many modern switches include L3 routing capability. Routers developed by Cisco, the supplier of the vast majority of the world's routers, have improved significantly in capability and speed and Cisco offers a comprehensive product line that includes routers engineered to meet the needs of users ranging from individual telecommuters to the world's largest service providers.

The latest Integrated Services Routers released by Cisco have the speed and built-in features to manage data voice and video plus virtual environments while also providing high availability, remote administration, easy extensibility, and enhanced security and compliance. These routers allow your company to establish a solid foundation for an information environment that can grow seamlessly as you hire new workers, open new sites, activate new functions, extend your system to clients and vendors, and support an an increasingly mobile user base. Progent's Cisco CCIE network engineers offer immediate and economical remote support to help your company to select, deploy, administer, update, and support Cisco's most advanced routers and can assist you to maintain your legacy routers or move efficiently to Cisco's newer router solutions.

Cisco Routers Designed for Home Offices and Small Offices and Branches
Cisco's routers for small companies and branch offices offer affordable and reliable entry-level solutions that enable limited groups of workers to share safe connectivity to wide area networks. These single-configuration desktop devices feature at least four Ethernet ports with Wi-Fi options and built-in firewall to provide enhanced protection. Built for simple installation, management, and support, Cisco's entry-level routers minimize ownership costs by cutting equipment and operational expenses. Progent's remote support experts have in-depth backgrounds providing fast and affordable IT assistance for small businesses to set up and support these devices, and Progent's Cisco-certified CCIE network consultants can assist your company to understand whether and how Cisco's small office routers can add to the strategic value of your IT network.

ISR 900 Series Routers
Cisco's ISR 900 Series routers are small-footprint, fanless, set-configuration devices intended for small to medium-sized businesses, branch offices, and home offices. These entry-level routers have four GE switch ports and offer 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 routers. All ISR 900 Series routers feature Group Encrypted Transport VPN, dynamic multipoint virtual private network VPN (DMVPN), FlexVPN, and firewall. VPN performance is as high as 250 Mbps. All models support up to 50 virtual LANs. Supported dynamic failover protocols for business continuity include VRRP, Hot Standby Router Protocol, and Multigroup HSRP (MHSRP). Provisioning and management can be performed with Cisco Configuration Professional Express, Cisco DNA Center, and Cisco IOS Software. Cisco ISR 900 Series routers do not support Cisco's SD-WAN solution.

Cisco's ISR 921 router features dual GE WAN, LTE Cat 4, and an internal power supply. VPN throughput is 150 Mbps. Cisco's ISR 926 and ISR 927 models include external power supplies and support a single WAN interface, Category 4 LTE, VDSL2 and ADSL2/2+. VPN performance for both devices is 150 Mbps. The top-of-the-line ISR 931 router supports dual GE WAN ports and has an internal power supply. GE WAN VPN performance is 250 Mbps.

Cisco Meraki MX Series SD-WAN Security Appliances
The Cisco Meraki MX line of desktop routers provide software-defined wide area networking (SD-WAN) and cloud-based unified threat management (UTM) in a single compact appliance able to support 50 to 200 users. Each MX router must be licensed to the Meraki cloud. For sites having several WAN network options (e.g., MPLS, fiber optic, cellular), SD-WAN technology permits administrators to specify the WAN connection a given application uses or to build performance-based rules to determine the preferred connection. Cisco Meraki MX fixed-configuration desktop routers share important capabilities including:

• Application and identity-based firewalling
• Content and web search filtering
• PCI-compliant Intrusion Detection and Prevention
• Cisco Advanced Malware Protection with reputation-based filtering
• Load balancing to aggregate multiple WAN links into one fast connection with policy-based Quality of Services, traffic shaping, and failover
• Works with all IPsec VPN devices and services
• USB port for fast 3G/4G failover
• Wi-Fi versions have 802.11ac Wave 2 2x2 MU-MIMO

Cisco 1000 and 1100 Family ISR Enterprise Branch Routers
Cisco 1000 and 1100 family Integrated Services Routers (ISRs) powered by Cisco IOS XE software are a line of fanless routers designed to provide network service, wireless support, and advanced security for small and midsize businesses, enterprise branches, retail stores, kiosks, and M2M venues. Parallel processing CPU cores and compatibly with Cisco IOS XE allow these routers to deliver capabilities consistent with Cisco's entire family of Enterprise routers. 1000 family ISR routers are available with 4 or 8 LAN ports and provide Gigabit Ethernet packet forwarding. Various models include Power over Ethernet (PoE) and PoE+, auto provisioning, plus a selection of built-in or pluggable options including LAN, WAN, WLAN, G.fast DSL, 4G LTE Advanced wireless, 802.11 wireless, and SFP. Cisco 1000 and 1100 family ISR routers work with Cisco's SD-WAN subscription services for transparent multi-cloud access, multilayer cybersecurity, and cohesive administration across hybrid network models of any complexity.

Cisco's 1RU or desktop ISR 1100-4G router comes with four built-in GE WAN/LAN ports, integrated 3G/4G LTE wireless with two LTE antenna connectors, and a micro-SIM slot. Encryption throughput is 200 Mbps. The Cisco ISR 1100-6G router adds two 1G SFP Fiber ports and delivers encryption performance of 520 Mbps. Cisco's desktop ISR 1101-4P router comes with four integrated GE connections, supports 802.11ac Wi-Fi and 3G/4G LTE wireless, and features encryption performance of 280 Mbps. Cisco's ISR 1109-2P/4p desktop routers have two or four integrated switched GE ports and dual pluggable 3G/4G LTE wireless ports. Encryption packet processing speed is 200 Mbps.

The Cisco 1RU or desktop ISR 111x-4P/8P routers have four or eight integrated GE connections (two or four with Power over Ethernet) and feature VDSL2/ADSL2+, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, 3G/4G LTE, and SFP Fiber. Encryption packet processing rate is 280 Mbps. Cisco's rackmount or desktop ISR 1111X-8P router includes eight built-in switched GE ports (four with POE) and a port for SFP. Encryption performance is 340 Mbps. The ISR 112x-8P router features eight built-in switched GE ports with PoE and features SHDSL, VDSL2/ADSL2+, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, 3G/4G LTE wireless, and 1G SFP. Encryption packet processing performance is 340 Mbps. The ISR 1161X-8P router has eight built-in switched GE connections with Power over Ethernet and supports 3G/4G LTE and 1G SFP. Encryption packet processing speed is 450 Mbps.

Cisco Catalyst 8000 Series Branch and WAN Edge Platforms for SD-WAN and Routing
Cisco's Catalyst 8000 line of routers are modular devices intended to work at the enterprise branche and the WAN edge in support of hybrid network environments that can incorporate multiple public and private clouds and SaaS applications. Catalyst 8000 routers use Cisco IOS XE SD-WAN Software and provide expandability, intelligent cybersecurity, and 5G connectivity. Throughput is enhanced via purpose-built silicon, a multicore architecture, high port density, and line-rate encryption. Cisco's subscription software suites offer ongoing access to current SD-WAN technology and enable centralized management with advanced cybersecurity, application-based policies, network segmentation, and cloud integration.

Cisco Catalyst 8200 Enterprise Branch Edge Routers
Cisco Catalyst 8200 Series routers are upgrades to Cisco's 4300 Series Integrated Services Routers (ISRs), offering higher IPsec performance and scale, accelerated crypto, plus higher built-in WAN port density. These 1RU appliances are designed to provide Cisco's Secure Access Service Edge (SASE), SD-WAN and 5G-interface technology to enterprise branches and the enterprise WAN edge. The Catalyst C8200L-1N-4T model features four CPU cores, enables 500 Mbps IPsec traffic, and allows 1,500 SD-WAN tunnels. The Catalyst 8200L router does not support container-based apps. The Catalyst C8200-1N-4T router features eight CPU cores, delivers 1Gb IPsec throughput, supports 2,500 SD-WAN tunnels, and enables edge computing with existing container models. Both appliances include a Network Interface Module (NIM) slot, a Pluggable Interface Module (PIM) slot, two 1 Gigabit Ethernet WAN copper interfaces, and two 1G Ethernet WAN SFP interfaces. 4-port and 8-port 1G Ethernet switch NIM modules are supported by both 8200 routers.

Cisco Catalyst 8300 Enterprise Branch Edge Routers
Catalyst 8300 Series WAN Edge routers are intended to replace Cisco's 4400 line of Integrated Services Routers, providing Cisco's secure SD-WAN architecture to medium-sized and large company branch offices looking for high WAN IPSec performance combined with integrated SD-WAN services. Advanced features include 5G wireless connectivity, integrated security, WAN MACSec, enhanced Layer 2 switching, and Deep Packet Inspection with application optimization. Catalyst 8300 Series WAN Edge routers support edge computing for an existing container environment for Cisco UCS-E modules available on Cisco's 4000 line of ISR routers. All models in the Catalyst 8300 Series line allow 4,000 SD-WAN tunnels and feature dual power supplies for improved uptime.

The Catalyst 8300-1N1S-6T router is a 1RU device that includes 8 CPU cores and delivers 2G SD-WAN performance and IPsec data rates as high as 1.9Gbps. The unit includes one SM plug-in slot, one NIM slot, and six integrated 1G Ethernet WAN interfaces. The Catalyst 8300-2N2S-6T appliance is a 2RU router that features 8 CPU cores and offers 2G SD-WAN performance and IPsec performance as high as 1.9Gbps. The appliance has two SM expansion slots, two Network Interface Module slots, and six integrated 1G Ethernet WAN ports. The Cisco Catalyst C8300-1N1S-4T2X router is a one-rack unit device that has eight CPU cores and offers 5G SD-WAN performance and IPsec throughput as high as 15Gbps. The model features one one SM expansion slot, one Network Interface Module slot, two built-in 10-Gigabit Ethernet WAN ports, and four fixed 1G Ethernet WAN ports. The Cisco Catalyst C8300-2N2S-4T2X device is a 2RU router that features 12 CPU cores and offers 5G SD-WAN data rates and IPsec performance up to 18Gbps. The router has two SM expansion slots, two NIM slots, two integrated 10-Gigabit Ethernet WAN ports, and four integrated 1-Gigabit Ethernet WAN interfaces. LAN modules modules available from Cisco range from a 4-port 1G Ethernet switch Network Interface Module module to a 50-port Catalyst L2 switch SM module.

Catalyst 8500 Aggregation Edge Routers
The Catalyst 8500 Series Aggregation Edge routers are fixed, one-rack unit aggregation appliances for SD-WAN and colocation deployments. Built-in features include route processor, embedded services processor, plus aggregation hardware for various connection choices. IPsec performance is double compared to Cisco's earlier generation ASR1001-X router. Available connectivity alternatives include 1GE, 10GE, 40GE, and 100GE WAN interfaces. 8500 routers include dual power units for enhanced resilience. Software subscription packages provide ongoing use of Cisco DNA Center Software for SD-WAN and routing and offer unified management of security, application-aware policies, segmentation, and cloud support.

The Catalyst C8500L-8S4X Aggregation Edge router is designed to provide a similar key features as Cisco's ASR 1000 appliance. The C8500L-8S4X includes four 1/10GE WAN interfaces and delivers up to 20 Gbps Cisco Express Forwarding aggregate data rates. SD-WAN IPsec performance can reach 19Gbps. The Cisco Catalyst C8500-12X router includes 12 integrated 1/10GE WAN ports and delivers up to 120 Gbps Cisco Express Forwarding aggregate throughput. SD-WAN IPsec throughput is up to 51 Gbps. The C8500-12X4QC aggregation router comes with four built-in 1/10GE WAN interfaces and eight 1GE ports and delivers up to 200 Gbps aggregate performance. SD-WAN IPsec throughput can reach 68 Gbps.

Cisco Integrated Services Generation 2 Routers
Cisco's ISR G2 routers are designed to offer branch offices of enterprises with enhanced video and voice applications, virtualization, protection, and dependable connectivity. ISR Generation 2 routers feature a design that preserves past investments in modules for first-generation ISR routers and reduces down-the-line expenses by allowing field upgrades to new modules when they become available. Compared to previous Integrated Services Routers, Cisco's ISR G2 routers feature 2-7 times more throughput, substantially more, and more affordable support. All Integrated Services Generation 2 routers support Gbit switching and include multi-core processors and multigigabit fabric for faster throughput. Integrated Services G2 routers also support intelligent power control for improved energy conservation.

A notable innovation with ISR Generation 2 routers is the Cisco IOS Software Universal image which contains all of the IOS feature sets so that you can rapidly license and deploy extra functions as desired without having to acquire and copy a different IOS image to yourrouter. Progent's group of Cisco-certified CCIE network engineers offer proven expertise to assist your business to design, implement, and maintain multi-location deployments of Cisco ISR G2 routers that enhance branch office productivity and cut the price of upgrades and maintenance.

Cisco's ISR 800 Line of Routers
Cisco's 800 Series of ISR routers has been functionally replaced by the faster Cisco ISR 900 line but remains widely deployed. Cisco's comprehensive line of 800 Series ISR routers is made up of desktop appliances intended for small organizations, branch offices, retail venues, telecommuters, and customers of broadband service providers. A wealth of models in the 800 Series product line have been released with various options over many years. Cisco's 881 line of ISR routers exemplifies the vast selection of options available within the Cisco 800 Series product family. Models in Cisco's 881 Series router portfolio can enable unified media networks by providing IP voice and video, wireless and data in a single integrated router and switch. Built-in data protection can include encryption, VPN tunneling, firewall, and URL filtering. For business continuity, available options for Cisco 881 routers include duplicate WAN links or support for wired high-speed WAN connections such as DSL as well as multiple cellular 3G and 4G wireless connections all built into a single desktop appliance.

The baseline Cisco 881 features a 4-port 10/100-Mbps managed switch that delivers 15 Mbps throughput, the ability to handle up to 20 users, 2-port integrated Power over Ethernet, and IPv6 support. Cisco's 881W router includes 802.11g/n Wi-Fi. Cisco's 881 SRST router features four FXS ports and 1 FXO port for public-switched-telephone-network (PSTN) failover with Cisco SRST. With a Cisco CUBE license, the Cisco 881 ISR router allows SIP trunking to replace outdated PRI lines or FXO voice connectivity to a PSTN service provider. CUBE-based SIP trunks can also support offsite call agents in Cisco Call Center deployments.

4000 Series Integrated Services Routers
Cisco's 4000 Line of Integrated Services Routers (ISRs) are compact modular and scalable routers designed for businesses with a large number of branch offices and offsite workers requiring direct access to in-house data centers as well as public clouds via VPNs and the Internet. The 4000 series delivers the throughput required for hybrid WAN environments to accommodate mobile workers, Cloud-based services, and multimedia applications by using network optimization, deep packet inspection, and advanced traffic-management technology. Models in Cisco's ISR 4000 family run Cisco's IOS XE operating system, come in a 1-rack-unit (RU) or 2RU form factor, can support as much as 2 Gbps of traffic, and can include up to 3 network interface slots, 2 service module slots, 4 integrated 10/100/1000 Ethernet ports, and 8 CPU core integrated server modules. Cisco ISR 4000 models support integrated Gigabit Ethernet, T1/E1, T3/E3, PR1, xDSL and other interfaces. To handle unified communications, Cisco's 400o ISR offers comprehensive edge support technology for SBC, telephony fault tolerance, and TDM gateways.

The main difference between Cisco's 4400 and 4300 Series is dual power supply support in the 4400 ISR Series, providing a greater level of fault tolerance. Cisco's 4321 Integrated Services Router comes in a 1 RU desktop form factor with two network interface modules (NIMs), offers as much as 100 Mbps throughput, and can handle 240 Digital Voice and Video Channels. Cisco's 4331 model has a 1 RU package and includes two NIMs, provides as much as 300 Mbps performance, and supports 360 Digital Voice and Video Channels. Cisco's 4351 router has a 2 RU form factor with three NIMs, offers as much as 400 Mbps performance, and allows up to 720 Digital Voice/Video Channels. The power-redundant 4431 Integrated Services Router has a 2 RU form factor and includes three network interface modules, provides up to 1 Gbps performance, and supports 720 Digital Voice and Video Channels. The redundant-power 4431 ISR Router features a 2 RU form factor with three NIMs, delivers as much as 2 Gbps performance, and can handle 1200 Digital Voice and Video Channels.

Cisco's Midrange WAN Aggregation Routers and Service Provider Routers
Cisco's WAN edge and service provider routers can provide enterprises with high-performance, secure headends to aggregate satellite office and remote user data packets and to provide carriers cost-effective WAN edge solutions. Cisco's WAN aggregation and carrier router product line features the Cisco ASR 1000 product line and the 9000 Series Aggregation Services family.

Progent's national group of Cisco CCIE certified network experts have in-depth experience helping global businesses and service providers to design efficient installations and seamless upgrades of Cisco's midrange and carrier-class routers. Progent's GIAC-certified information assurance consultants can provide unbiased, independent security inventory evaluations, stealth penetration testing and advanced Security information and Event Management (SIEM) solutions to help enterprises with Cisco's Aggregation Services Routers to comply with business guidelines and statutory requirements for network data security and reporting.

Cisco ASR 1000 Series WAN Edge Routers
Cisco's ASR 1000 WAN Edge line of routers is positioned in the center of Cisco's midrange routers that focus on acting as headends at the WAN edge. ASR 1000 Aggregation Services routers offer a small form factor, multi-function answer for enterprises who need branch office service aggregation at multigigabit Ethernet speeds. ASR 1000 routers introduce a revolutionary architecture that mixes on-board acceleration with software flexibility to offer a multitude of simultaneous services without sacrificing dependable responsiveness.

ASR 1000 Series routers feature Cisco's new QuantumFlow Processor made up of 40 purpose-built Packet Processing Engines that in combination can support up to 160 simultaneous processor threads. This massive parallelism, in conjunction with on-board acceleration for all services, allows the top-of-the-line ASR 1006 router to expand up to 000 queues, 32,000 clients, 4,000 IPsec tunnels at 10,000 sessions/second, and 2M Netflow log records. This CPU power allows Cisco's ASR 1000 Series routers to deliver a wide variety of advanced services simultaneously in massive volume while avoiding performance decay that could violate compliance with SLAs. Examples of these services include Cisco Firewall, intrusion-detection services, NAT, FPM, and in-line deep packet inspection. The ASR 1000 also allows sophisticated traffic control for performing numerous levels of Quality of Service to a data packet in one operation, enhancing the user experience for resource-intensive voice, video, and conferencing applications.

Cisco ASR 9000 Series Routers
Cisco's ASR 9000 Series Aggregation Services Routers are designed as edge routers for carriers who are required to support the highest quality data, voice and video services to home, commercial, and mobile customers by providing zero downtime availability, high speed, and application awareness. All platforms in the Cisco ASR 9000 portfolio of Aggregation Services Routers run Cisco's IOS XR, a distributed operating system designed for non-stop availability. Throughput of the Cisco ASR 9000 Series of Routers can scale to as high as 96 Tbps per system. the Cisco ASR 9000 family of Aggregation Services Routers support Gigabit Ethernet (GE), 10 Gigabit Ethernet, and 100 GE and feature redundant fabric and power supply, power entry modules, plus backup control planes and switch fabric.

The ASR 9001 model is a provider-edge router in a 6 RU package with 120 Gbps of full-duplex fabric performance. The Cisco ASR 9001 has two bays to accept port adapters for 1 GE, 10 GE, and 40 GE. The chassis has four 10 Gbit Ethernet enhanced Small Form-Factor Pluggable (SFP+) ports as well as ports for Stratum 1 clocking, BITS, and management. The ASR 9904 Router has a 6 RU chassis and provides line-rate 10 and 100 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity in space-constrained sites. The 4-slot ASR 9094 can support up to 4 Tbps of capacity in a single chassis. The ASR 9912 platform comes in a 30 RU chassis and includes 12 slots slots able to handle up to 550 Gbps of switching capacity. The Cisco ASR 9912 incorporates 2 route processors as well as 6+1 Fabric Cards for N+1 redundancy.

Ways Progent's Consultants Can Assist You with Cisco Router Products
Progent's CCIE certified engineers can help your company to plan, setup, and maintain an integrated network infrastructure that can simplify processes, reduce expenses, and accelerate time to positive return on investment. By combining Cisco integrated services routers with Catalyst switches expertise and Cisco Catalyst and Meraki Wi-Fi wireless expertise, Progent can significantly increase the business value of your connectivity environment. Progent can provide in-person and off-site support and can provide data center support throughout the U.S.

To learn additional information concerning Progent's professional assistance for Cisco technology, select a subject:

• Overview of Cisco Support
• Fast and Affordable Remote Access to a CCIE Network Engineer
• Cisco Firepower NGFW Series Firewalls: Configuration and Management Services
• ASA 5500-X Series Firewall with Cisco Firepower Services: Integration and Troubleshooting Services
• ASA 5500 Series Firewall Upgrade. Migration Assistance
• Cisco PIX Firewall Consulting Assistance
• Cisco Wireless Engineering Help
• Aironet Wireless Access Points Deployment Help
• Cisco Small Business Wireless APs Engineering Support
• Catalyst 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6/6E APs Planning, Configuration and Troubleshooting Consulting
• Cisco WiFi Controllers Integration Consulting
• Meraki Access Points Engineering Services
• Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM or Unified CM) and CallManager Consulting and Technical Support
• Cisco Voice over IP Phones and IP Video Desktop Phones Expertise and Cisco Wireless IP Phone Configuration
• Cisco Jabber and Management Expertise
• Catalyst Switches Configuration and Maintenance Services
• Nexus Switches Support and Troubleshooting Services
• Cisco Meraki Switches Support and Troubleshooting Services
• Cisco VPN and Network Security Engineering Support
• SIP and CUBE Integration Solutions: SIP Trunking and CUBE Integration Expertise
• Cisco Duo MFA Two-factor Authentication Services for Remote Workers
• Design Solutions for Cisco-based Data Centers
• Data Center Design Consulting for ISPs
• Centralized Cloud-based and Hybrid Network Management Technologies for Cisco-based Infrastructure