Networking Research Library

In September 2004, Cisco introduced a new line of next-generation access routers. Designed from the ground up to support the growing needs of enterprise branch offices, and small and midsized businesses (SMBs), the new Cisco 1800, 2800 and 3800 series Integrated Services Routers combine IP communications, virtual private network (VPN), firewall, intrusion prevention/detection, and many other services, all in one high-performing platform. This high degree of integration and unique design-encryption is offloaded from the CPU to separate silicon to speed up processing-allow multiple services of the customer's choosing to run concurrently, while still leaving plenty of room for growth. Even with the WAN link oversubscribed, one tester reports the CPU ran at only 74 percent of capacity. The following article will show how these new Cisco Integrated Services Routers offer secure, wire-speed delivery of concurrent data, voice and video services.