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Volume 7 Number 4, Fourth Quarter 1995
By Mario Mazzola, Vice President and General Manager of Cisco's Workgroup Business Unit.
The triangular design on the cover of this issue of Packet represents the new switched internetworking paradigm and its three aspects: LAN switching, routing, and Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) -- the elements of the CiscoFusion[tm] architecture.
While each "side" plays a vital role in emerging switched internetworks, at Cisco we believe that their greatest potential lies in their interdependence. No single technology can offer a successful growth path for large, scalable internetworks. "Routing and switching are complementary technologies that enable networks to scale to sizes far beyond those built by either technology alone," writes S. MacAskill of the Gartner Group ("Challenging the Flat Earth Theory," March 1995).
This idea is the premise of the CiscoFusion architecture, which fuses LAN switching for bandwidth to the desktop, routing for protocol intelligence, and ATM for backbone transport. The CiscoFusion model presents a durable blueprint as new developments shape the future of internetworking.
Among these developments, the ATM Forum recently standardized the Private Network-to-Network Interface (PNNI) ATM routing protocol and the Available Bit Rate (ABR) class of service for ATM traffic management. Responding quickly, Cisco has announced the LightStream[r] 1010 workgroup and campus ATM switch to support PNNI and ABR. For many Cisco customers, this new switch will move ATM out of testbeds and into production networks.
Concurrent with the migration toward ATM backbones, LAN switching continues as the preferred desktop connectivity solution. Cisco recognizes our customers' needs to migrate existing LAN installations to dedicated bandwidth through switching. We offer a wide range of switching and routing products for Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, and Token Ring. Recently we acquired Grand Junction Networks to broaden our cost-effective LAN switching options. Our announcement of the Catalyst[tm] 1700 and Catalyst 2000 switches reflects this acquisition.
To offer an easy path between ATM and existing LANs, our Catalyst LAN switches, Cisco routers, and LightStream ATM switches support the ATM Forum's LAN Emulation (LANE) standard. LANE allows communication among devices on Ethernet, Token Ring, and ATM networks as if they were on the same LAN. LANE will become an important technology that preserves existing LAN applications.
Managing switched internetworks could pose a hefty challenge, but with the new applications in the CiscoWorks[tm] Switched Internetworks Solutions, network administrators will find this task relatively painless. The CiscoView[tm] software provides a graphical view of Cisco routers and switches to supply device status and other information. The VlanDirector[tm] application, an industry first, aids in the configuration and monitoring of virtual LANs. The TrafficDirector[tm] application, based on Remote Monitoring (RMON), works with CiscoView to gather traffic statistics. The AtmDirector[tm] application helps network administrators make better use of the complex management data available for ATM networks.
With all these new products, our focus may appear to be on switching. But in spite of our pioneering in the ATM market and our leading market share in the LAN switching sector, we continue to advocate this single point: our success, like that of our customers' networks, hinges on the fusion of multiple technologies, including routing as well as ATM and LAN switching. For the glue that holds together the three sides of our "triangle," we apply our strongest asset, the Cisco Internetwork Operating System (Cisco IOS[tm]) software. Thus assembled, our network model will hold up for years -- and will scale to tomorrow's much larger proportions.
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Cisco Systems is enhancing the strength of its CiscoFusion[tm] architecture for switched internetworks by continually adding and enhancing switching products. Yet switches can add the most to the structure of today's enterprise networks when complemented by routers. Working together, switches and routers offer a powerful combination for building a robust internetwork -- one that delivers higher bandwidth to users while managing traffic effectively.
For evolving networks, combining the technologies of LAN switching, routing, and Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) switching yields a powerful synergy, especially when integrated with the Cisco Internetwork Operating System (Cisco IOS[tm]) software. Each technology brings distinct advantages to this synergy:
Hardware technologies alone, however, are only part of a complete solution for meeting the diverse demands of evolving networks. All of these technologies need the services provided by the Cisco IOS software and the CiscoWorks[tm] management applications:
"By combining the routing and switching platforms with the Cisco IOS capabilities and CiscoWorks applications," says Jayshree Ullal, Cisco's Director of Marketing for Workgroup Products, "Cisco delivers real solutions for migrating from today's shared-bandwidth networks."
Cisco continues to develop products for all three network technologies and to enhance the Cisco IOS software and CiscoWorks applications. Recent announcements of a next-generation ATM switch and new products in the Cisco Catalyst[tm] family of LAN switches illustrate Cisco's commitment and strengths.
Cisco's LightStream 1010, a next-generation campus and workgroup ATM switch, is the first to support key ATM Forum standards.
The new Cisco LightStream[r] 1010 switch supports the CiscoFusion architecture with a standards-based solution for ATM switching. This next-generation switch is the first to support two key ATM Forum routing and traffic-management standards: Private Network-to-Network Interface (PNNI) Phase 1 and the Available Bit Rate (ABR) traffic class.
Designed to serve workgroup LAN applications, the LightStream 1010 is a nonblocking switch that supports up to 32 user ports. Interface support includes speeds of 25 megabits per second (Mbps) for "desktop" ATM, 45-Mbps DS3, 34-Mbps E3, 155-Mbps OC-3, and 622-Mbps OC-12.
The LightStream 1010 is covered in detail in this quarter's edition of The Cell. For more information see "New LightStream 1010 Supports Recent ATM Standards."
The Cisco Catalyst 5000 offers a cost-effective, high-density switching solution for wiring-closet and data-center environments. New modules for the Cisco Catalyst 5000 switch offer additional interfaces for Ethernet LANs and high-speed backbones. The four new modules include the following options:
These modules give users the flexibility to mix and match any combination of high-speed interface types.
Several new interface modules are available for the high-density Catalyst 5000 workgroup switch.
Based on Cisco EtherSwitch[r] technology, the new Cisco Catalyst 3000 Workgroup Stack product is a high-density LAN switching solution, delivering high performance at a cost-effective price for workgroups and branch offices. The Catalyst 3000 is ideal for applications such as LAN acceleration, connecting remote users, or feeding workgroup traffic to enterprise switches.
The Catalyst 3000 incorporates a subset of the Cisco IOS software that provides features to simplify configuration and management of a Catalyst 3000 stack. For more information on this new product, see "New Cisco Catalyst 3000 Workgroup Stack."
Through LAN switches, routers, and ATM switches, Cisco Systems delivers a strong set of building blocks that create the synergy needed for solving the toughest network challenges.
The new Cisco Catalyst 2000 and Catalyst 1700 switches are the first products to result from Cisco Systems' acquisition of Grand Junction Networks. Based on Grand Junction's FastSwitch[tm] technology, both products deliver 10-Mbps Ethernet switching to users' desktops for improved performance at an affordable price.
The Catalyst 2000 supports 25 switched 10BaseT ports and optional interfaces for connection to 100BaseT and Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI) backbones, with an interface to ATM backbones planned for the future. Each user port supports multiple Media Access Control (MAC) addresses, giving users the flexibility to connect workstations, LAN servers, routers, or hubs. Performance on the Catalyst 2000 is nonblocking, with a forwarding rate of approximately 450,000 packets per second (pps).
The Catalyst 1700 supports a single MAC address, offering a targeted, cost-effective solution for delivering switched 10-Mbps bandwidth directly to user workstations and 100-Mbps Fast Ethernet for servers and backbones.
Both products are available now. Cisco's acquisition of Grand Junction is covered in "Cisco Buys Grand Junction Networks."
Cisco Catalyst products can take advantage of the new CiscoWorks applications for switched internetworks. These applications -- VlanDirector[tm], TrafficDirector[tm], AtmDirector[tm], and CiscoView[tm] -- provide a range of valuable management tools for switched internetworks. For more information on these applications, see "Cisco Systems Announces CiscoWorks Switched Internetwork Solutions."
While enterprise internetworks are evolving to leverage the advantages of switching, they also continue to rely on routers for vital communications services. Cisco Systems is continuing its product development with the understanding that the strategic deployment of LAN switching, routing, and ATM -- backed by the Cisco IOS software and powerful management tools -- will build the strongest networks.
| Cisco Catalyst 1600 Token Ring Switch Proves its Leading Performance |
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| Now shipping, the Cisco Catalyst 1600 Token Ring switch has already proven to be a top performer. The Catalyst 1600 received the "Editor's Choice" award in recent testing conducted by Network Computing magazine. Additional tests conducted by the Tolly Group (Manasquan, New Jersey) verified the Catalyst 1600 as the top performer over all other Token Ring switches tested. More information about these test results is available by connecting to the URL:
http://cio.cisco.com/warp/public/623/1.html.
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While many organizations are adopting Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) for parts of their networks, they want to do so while continuing to support their existing Ethernet and Token Ring LANs. This strategy is based on two primary considerations. First, users want applications to run transparently over the network, whether that network is an Ethernet, Token Ring, or ATM LAN. Second, network managers require ways to increase network performance and ensure interoperability while protecting their investments in existing LAN infrastructures.
These considerations can be met with the LAN-to-ATM conversion functions provided by the ATM Forum's LAN Emulation (LANE) protocol, which allows applications to run transparently over an ATM network.
The LANE protocol defines how end stations communicate with each other across an ATM network and how ATM-attached servers communicate with devices on Ethernet and Token Ring LANs. LANE is a layer 2 bridging protocol that causes a connection-oriented ATM network to appear to higher-layer protocols and applications as a connectionless Ethernet or Token Ring LAN segment. As a layer 2 service, LANE can handle routable protocols, such as TCP/IP, Novell IPX, and DECnet, as well as nonroutable protocols like NetBIOS and Systems Network Architecture (SNA).
With LANE, organizations can take advantage of the higher speeds supported by ATM and access ATM devices without replacing their investments in LAN hardware, software, and applications. Ethernet, Token Ring, and ATM end stations continue to communicate as though they were on the same LAN using standard procedures, because the ATM backbone is transparent to the user. Each emulated LAN also represents a virtual LAN (VLAN) operating over the ATM LAN, which gives organizations a standards-based approach to implementing VLANs.
The LANE protocol emulates a single LAN segment by providing the connectionless broadcast service required by network-layer protocols. It performs the necessary data conversion between LAN packets and ATM cells and resolves media access control (MAC) addresses to ATM addresses. However, the LANE protocol does not emulate all MAC protocols; for example, it does not support Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection (CSMA/CD) for Ethernet or token passing for Token Ring.
In this scenario, the ATM LANE module for the Catalyst 5000 converts Ethernet packets transmitted by a user workstation to ATM cells. The ATM Interface Processor (AIP) in a Cisco 7000 or 7500 series router provides support for the LANE service components: the LAN Emulation Server (LES), LAN Emulation Configuration Server (LECS), and the Broadcast and Unknown Server (BUS).
While the current LANE standard defines separate emulated LANs for Ethernet and Token Ring, it does not explicitly define how to connect the two emulated LAN types directly. An ATM-equipped router, such as a Cisco 7000 with an ATM Interface Processor (AIP), acting as a client on each emulated LAN, can provide this connectivity while allowing the administrator to construct firewalls or to filter traffic between emulated LANs.
The LANE protocol does not define Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI) LAN emulation. However, a router or switch can bridge FDDI traffic onto an ATM LANE service after converting the packets to either the Ethernet or Token Ring.
Two primary applications that can use the LANE protocol for integrating networks include:
LANE follows a client/server model, in which multiple LANE Clients (LECs) connect to LANE service components. LECs are typically implemented on devices such as workstation adapters, routers, or ATM-LAN switches. When implementing multiple emulated LANs, service components can be distributed among different routers or switches across the ATM network.
LANE defines three different types of service components: the LANE Server (LES), the Broadcast and Unknown Server (BUS), and the LANE Configuration Server (LECS). These servers provide the following functions, respectively:
The LANE protocol will enable network managers to integrate new ATM networks with legacy Ethernet and Token Ring LANs. LAN Emulation protects existing investments and minimizes disruptions to users while delivering the high-performance benefits of ATM when and where they are needed.
Cisco Systems begins support for the LANE protocol in Cisco Internetwork Operating System (Cisco IOS[tm]) Software Release 11.0, with a phased implementation across Cisco routing and switching products. As the LANE protocol evolves, Cisco will continue its contributions through leadership in the ATM Forum and development of industry-leading LAN and ATM internetworking products.
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The new Cisco Catalyst[tm] 3000 Workgroup Stack is a high-density solution that offers high performance at a cost-effective price for workgroup environments. Available now, the Catalyst 3000 supports a variety of applications, including the following:
Switching for workgroups. Network managers can connect Ethernet hubs to 10-megabits-per-second (Mbps) switch ports to gain higher bandwidth and relieve LAN congestion. LAN servers and individual users who need high bandwidth can also receive dedicated 10-Mbps Ethernet links on the Catalyst 3000. When used in conjunction with Cisco's family of access routers, the Catalyst 3000 enables high-performance connectivity between a branch office and multiple telecommuters or remote users.
LAN accelerator for servers. The optional 100BaseT and 100VG AnyLAN interface modules on the Catalyst 3000 deliver a 100-Mbps link to LAN servers that can improve performance on growing, high-demand networks.
Feeder switch for connection to larger switched networks. As part of an enterprise network, a Catalyst 3000 with a high-speed interface module can serve as a workgroup feeder for a backbone switch, such as the Catalyst 5000 or a Cisco LightStream[r] Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) switch. This application enables support for virtual LANs (VLANs) across the enterprise and improves the speed of user access to enterprise computing resources.
The Cisco Catalyst 3000 Workgroup Stack optimizes the balance of port density, switching performance, and cost for applications in workgroups and branch offices.
Based on Cisco EtherSwitch[r] technology, the stackable Catalyst 3000 switch has a basic configuration of 16 10BaseT Ethernet ports, reaching a maximum of 24 ports with optional expansion modules. For high-speed interfaces to enterprise backbones, a choice of modules is available for the Catalyst 3000, supporting 100BaseT (Fast Ethernet), 100VG AnyLAN, and ATM connections.
The Catalyst 3000 incorporates a subset of the Cisco Internetwork Operating System (Cisco IOS[tm]) software for the Workgroup Stack. This software enables network managers to easily configure and manage Catalyst 3000 switches when they are installed in a stack. Features in this subset also support up to 64 VLANs, which network administrators can create and manage using the Cisco VlanDirector[tm] application.
| CiscoView[tm] and Vlan Director[tm] |
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| More information on the CiscoView and VlanDirector applications is available in the article, "Cisco Systems Announces CiscoWorks[tm] Switched Internetwork Solutions." |
The Catalyst 3000 Workgroup Stack will support the CiscoView[tm] management application for controlling the flow of workgroup traffic across the switched enterprise. In addition, future support for Inter-Switch Link (ISL) and LAN Emulation (LANE) technology will enable definition of VLANs across all Cisco switching platforms in the enterprise, including the Catalyst 3000.
Features in the Cisco IOS Workgroup Stack software make Catalyst 3000 switches easy to configure and manage as a single stack.
The Catalyst 3000 product is part of Cisco Systems' continuing development of the CiscoFusion[tm] architecture for switched internetworks. This solution delivers an ideal combination of size, performance, and cost-effectiveness, while ensuring that workgroups and branch offices integrate well into the overall enterprise network.
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Cisco's new Catalyst[tm] 2000 and Catalyst 1700 standalone workgroup and desktop switches offer an attractive price-for-performance alternative to shared-bandwidth 10BaseT hubs. Based on Grand Junction Networks' FastSwitch[tm] technology, both products deliver 10-megabits-per-second (Mbps) Ethernet switching to a user's desktop for improved network performance.
The standalone Catalyst 2000 switches combine high-speed configuration flexibility with exceptional affordability for workgroup applications. At a very low cost per port, these switches are ideal for Ethernet workgroups and individual users who require increased performance and 100BaseT, FDDI, or future ATM connectivity to servers and backbones.
Each Catalyst 2000 switch has 25 switched 10BaseT ports supporting multiple Media Access Control (MAC) addresses to give users the flexibility to connect workstations, LAN servers, routers, or hubs. For connecting to high-speed servers or enterprise backbones, each switch has a minimum of two high-speed ports that support 100BaseT, FDDI, or -- in the future -- ATM.
The Catalyst 1700 switch delivers the industry's best price/performance value for desktop applications. At less than twice the cost of a managed 10BaseT hub, this desktop switch supports a single MAC address on each port, dedicating 10-Mbps Ethernet to each user. Additionally, the Catalyst 1700 switch provides two 100BaseTX ports for server and backbone connectivity.
The Catalyst 1700 and Catalyst 2000 products will incorporate features of the Cisco Internetwork Operating System (Cisco IOS[tm]) software and allow management by the CiscoWorks[tm] suite of applications.
Available now, these products are the first to result from Cisco Systems' recent acquisition of Grand Junction Networks (see "Cisco Buys Grand Junction Networks" for details).
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VlanDirector[tm], TrafficDirector[tm], AtmDirector[tm], and CiscoView[tm] provide a new range of management tools to support the CiscoFusion[tm]architecture.
As networks migrate from shared media architectures to switched internetworks, the CiscoWorks[tm] Switched Internetwork Solutions provide network administrators with scalable applications that adapt to an evolving network infrastructure. The CiscoWorks Switched Internetwork Solutions are members of the CiscoWorks management family. CiscoWorks applications help customers successfully build, operate, and grow networks based on the Cisco Internetwork Operating System (Cisco IOS[tm]) software. Management applications from Cisco and selected third parties apply knowledge of how networks are configured and behave. These applications are combined with superior service and support into CiscoWorks products focused on specific users and management tasks.
The new switched internetwork applications build on the existing CiscoWorks applications and the CiscoFusion[tm] architecture, a distributed and collapsed backbone blueprint. The CiscoFusion model replaces hubs with switches on the backbones and attaches these hubs directly to switches to provide dedicated bandwidth as needed and to offload routers for better performance.
"Just as Cisco Systems defined the CiscoFusion architecture," says Sharon Wong, Product Line Manager for Switched Management Applications at Cisco, "we can similarly offer customers our expertise in switched network management as the network infrastructure changes from a shared environment to a switched structure. Most management solutions today aren't optimized for switched networks."
Tailored to the CiscoFusion architecture, CiscoWorks Switched Internetwork Solutions provide a strategy for managing an environment comprised of ATM switches, routers, and LAN switches.
Network administrators are familiar with the management of the physical infrastructure in a campus environment with multiple LANs that include routers, hubs, servers, PCs, and workstations. While the introduction of switches has improved the performance of these networks, administrators now face the challenge of designing and configuring virtual LANs (VLANs) and ATM networks. Inherent to this change is the complexity involved in performing physical moves, additions, and changes and monitoring performance on these switched networks.
"With the introduction of switched VLANs, the network administrator not only has to configure and monitor physical devices, but has to manage logical groups of devices in a VLAN," says Wong. "It's a much harder problem to solve than it was when you could run to a hub wiring closet and figure out the physical connections."
Cisco provides both shared management applications for traditional network structures and switch management applications for switched internetworks. These applications include VlanDirector[tm], CiscoView[tm], TrafficDirector[tm], and AtmDirector[tm].
Today's network management applications typically provide views of devices displayed hierarchically according to their IP addresses. But switches have the flexibility of being configured into multiple VLANs and can therefore be assigned multiple IP addresses. Administrators need applications that allow them to view their networks as they are logically set up as well as physically laid out.
Cisco's new VlanDirector application discovers and maps the physical topology of the campus. Logical VLAN topologies are then superimposed on top of the physical network and dynamically linked on a real-time connectivity basis. Tightly coupled with CiscoView, VlanDirector allows the network administrator to select ports from physical views of different devices, and to assign these ports to VLANs.
The VlanDirector software also alerts the administrator when a configuration mismatch is discovered, maintaining VLAN configuration consistency across internetworks of Cisco switches and routers. "With its automatic link configuration capability," Wong says, "VlanDirector provides our customers with a way to configure redundant inter-switch links for increased network reliability and performance." VlanDirector is available now.
The CiscoView application, also shipping, provides a graphical view of switched internetworking devices based on Cisco IOS software, supplying dynamic status, statistics, and comprehensive configuration information. CiscoView also provides device monitoring features and basic troubleshooting. It is available on a standalone basis or as an integral part of the CiscoWorks applications.
Cisco provides embedded Remote Monitoring (RMON) agents in many of its products, allowing customers to gather ample statistics for traffic analysis and troubleshooting. The TrafficDirector RMON console application can be integrated into the CiscoView application, which provides an intuitive graphical user interface for viewing traffic from physical and virtual segments of a switched network. TrafficDirector analyzes information collected from any RMON-compliant agent and allows the user to move beyond the standard RMON data range to view traffic at all seven layers of the OSI model. The TrafficDirector application will be available in the first quarter of 1996.
As a key component of the CiscoFusion management strategy for switched internetworks, Cisco also recently announced the SwitchProbe[tm] line of standalone RMON probes. The SwitchProbe products will be available during the first quarter of 1996.
Another useful new application is AtmDirector, which offers advanced ATM management functions to present real-time status, statistics, and configuration information, enabling network administrators to better understand and leverage the complex management data that is available for ATM networks.
The AtmDirector application uses an autodiscovery algorithm to determine and map the topology of a set of interconnected ATM devices, including Cisco's LightStream[r] 1010 ATM switches, Catalyst[tm] 5000 LAN switches, network interface cards, and routers. From this topology map, double-clicking on any displayed device icon will invoke the CiscoView configuration application for that device. AtmDirector also offers a simplified means of managing and troubleshooting virtual connections. The AtmDirector application will be available in the second quarter of 1996.
The Cisco IOS software provides a sophisticated diagnostic interface, embedding close to 100 commands specifically for debugging networking problems. With standards-based Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) and RMON agent capabilities, Cisco offers one of the most comprehensive network management solutions available today.
"These new applications are a scalable solution," Wong says. "Customer networks are always growing and changing in dynamic environments. Customers are migrating their network architectures from, for example, shared Ethernet environments, to switched Ethernet, to ATM. These customers want to maintain a certain amount of their legacy investments and are not going to change their entire architectures at once. CiscoWorks Switched Internetwork Solutions address the needs of existing network infrastructures and meet the requirements of changing architectures."
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The new Cisco 4700 router expands the popular Cisco 4000 series, increasing performance over the existing Cisco 4500 by up to 75 percent. This high-performance modular router is optimized for a broad range of applications including LAN access to high-speed Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) and IBM internetworking applications.
The new Cisco 4700 router is optimized for ATM backbone access and IBM DLSw solutions.
As organizations expand and evolve, it becomes increasingly important for them to find networking solutions that provide high performance, reliability, and adaptability. With the addition of the Cisco 4700, the Cisco 4000 series provides a broad range of solutions for changing environments.
A modular system, the Cisco 4700 provides three network processor module (NPM) slots and has a high-performance, RISC-based CPU running at 133 MHz, as well as a very fast secondary cache of 512 kilobytes (KB) that significantly speeds memory access.
Among the applications for which the Cisco 4700 provides significant performance benefits are the following:
The Cisco 4700 features full compatibility with existing NPMs for the Cisco 4000 series and offers the greatest level of connectivity available today in a midrange, modular router. Available NPMs for the Cisco 4000 series include Ethernet, Token Ring, FDDI, serial, ISDN Multiple Basic Rate Interface (MBRI) and Primary Rate Interface (PRI), and ATM. The Cisco 4700, available now, supports Cisco IOS Release 10.2 and later.
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Cisco Systems has announced several new products that enable remote access to enterprise networks and the Internet. These announcements include fresh options for access routers in new and existing product families.
Home offices and telecommuters can obtain economical, high-speed connectivity to enterprise networks and the Internet with the new Cisco 750 series. Now shipping, these products are the first to result from Cisco's acquisition of Combinet, Inc. (see "Cisco Acquires Combinet").
The Cisco 750 models connect an Ethernet LAN with up to four devices or an individual user with a PC, Apple Macintosh, or UNIX-based computer to an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) Basic Rate Interface (BRI) at speeds up to 128 kilobits per second (kbps). The Remote Office (RO) software upgrade is available for users who require support for more than four LAN devices. Data compression of 4:1 is also supported between two Cisco 750 routers, enabling speeds up to 512 kbps.
All models support Ethernet 10BaseT and 10Base2 LANs, with communication over the IP and Novell IPX protocols. The Cisco ConnectPro software, a Microsoft Windows-based application included with all models, simplifies the process of installing, configuring, and monitoring Cisco 750 series routers.
Support for unique Personal Network Profiles allows the Cisco 750 series to store access information such as login data and protocol settings that the Cisco 750 router uses when it connects to different networks. For example, a home user may save one profile for connecting to the office LAN and another for connecting to the Internet.
The Cisco 750 series is available now.
The three models in the Cisco 750 series include:
| Model | Description |
|---|---|
| Cisco 751 | ISDN access router |
| Cisco 752 | ISDN access router with built-in NT1 |
| Cisco 753 | ISDN access router with built-in NT1 and integrated analog telephone interface card |
Two new models in the Cisco 1000 series provide additional solutions for remote office access. The Cisco 1004 router is a complete ISDN access solution for North American customers. Its ISDN BRI port incorporates a Network Termination 1 (NT1) device, eliminating the need for a separate connection to an ISDN line. The Cisco 1004 includes all the features of the highly popular Cisco 1003 router, which continues to offer ISDN connectivity for customers worldwide.
The Cisco 1004 and Cisco 1005 routers cost-effectively link telecommuters and remote offices.
The Cisco 1005 synchronous router connects remote Ethernet LANs to a WAN at speeds up to T1/E1 (1.544/2.048 Mbps). It broadens the range of WAN options supported by the Cisco 1000 series to include Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP), Switched 56, Frame Relay, Switched Multimegabit Data Service (SMDS), and X.25, as well as Cisco's High-Level Data Link Control (HDLC). In addition to WAN features, the Cisco 1005 supports IP, Routing Information Protocol (RIP), Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (IGRP[r]), Novell IPX, IPX-RIP, AppleTalk, and Routing Table Maintenance Protocol (RTMP).
These fixed-configuration access routers are easy to install and maintain, making them ideally suited for applications such as:
The Cisco 1004 and Cisco 1005 are currently shipping.
The Cisco 2518 and Cisco 2519 router/hubs build on the benefits of the Cisco 2517 Token Ring router/hub, adding a new Ethernet option, expanded Token Ring port density, and additional hub connectivity options. Like the Cisco 2517, these new units combine Cisco routing and intelligent unshielded twisted pair (UTP) hub media technologies. The new router/hub models give remote or branch offices with multiple LAN devices access to a WAN through ISDN and synchronous lines. Both models support the full suite of Cisco Internetwork Operating System (Cisco IOS[tm]) feature sets.
The new Cisco 2518 and Cisco 2519 router/hub products offer increased connectivity for Ethernet and Token Ring LANs.
The Cisco 2518 supports up to 23 UTP 10BaseT Ethernet hub ports, connecting small-office Ethernet LANs across wide-area links to enterprise networks or the Internet. The Cisco 2518 also includes an Ethernet Attachment Unit Interface (AUI) for convenient connection to other hubs using industry-standard Ethernet transceivers.
The Cisco 2519 doubles the Token Ring port capacity of the Cisco 2517, providing 23 UTP Token Ring hub ports. The Cisco 2519 also includes a "ring-in/ring-out" interface for connection to existing Token Ring hubs.
Both models include two synchronous ports, one auxiliary port, and one ISDN Basic Rate Interface (BRI) port. They support a wide variety of WAN services, including Frame Relay, X.25, DDN X.25, SMDS, V.25bis, and ISDN. Up to five stackable expansion units can be installed on either model to gain additional shared hub ports. Expansion units are available directly from Cisco's hub technology partner, LanOptics, Inc., and contain either 12 or 24 ports. Fully loaded, each model provides 143 shared hub ports.
The latest release of Cisco Hub/Ring Manager for Windows 2.0 adds full support for the new Cisco 2518 and Cisco 2519 products and provides the ability to directly manage all hub ports and expansion modules as a single entity.
Cisco Systems has expanded its popular Cisco 2500 router series with four new models that provide increased serial interface density and protocol flexibility. The new models -- Cisco 2520 through 2523 -- deliver access solutions to enterprises with multiple branch offices or retail stores. They connect multiple local low-speed synchronous (SDLC, "bisync," etc.), and asynchronous (polled asynchronous, terminal services, remote node, etc.) devices and branch office LANs to corporate networks over a variety of high-speed primary WAN links and backup links. Another application is low-speed WAN concentration, providing access for up to 11 remote sites over a variety of low- and high-speed WAN links.
The asynchronous/synchronous (A/S) interfaces are a new feature in the Cisco 2500 series. These serial interfaces can be configured in software for either synchronous or asynchronous communication at speeds up to 115 kbps. The A/S interfaces also support bisynchronous and polled asynchronous communications.
The Cisco 2520 through 2523 models will be available with the same Cisco IOS[tm] feature sets and memory options as other models in the Cisco 2500 product line. They will begin shipping in the first quarter of 1996.
The new CiscoRemote access client product delivers a suite of applications for remote node and remote control services, as well as performance enhancement and additional ease for mobile users. Remote access client software runs on personal computers, allowing them to communicate over a modem as if directly attached to a LAN. Cisco's version integrates Network Telesystems' TCP Pro Remote Access Client and Stampede Technologies' Remote Office Gold products into a single package. In addition, the CiscoRemote client is now compatible with both Microsoft Windows 3.1 and Windows 95.
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Equipment failures, though uncommon, can be costly and often require quick response times and emergency parts delivery. Recent service agreements with AT&T Global Information Solutions (GIS), IBM, and Associated Distribution Logistics (ADL) are expanding hardware support under Cisco's Comprehensive Service Contracts. Cisco's Onsite Services (OSS) organization coordinates the efforts of the subcontracted service organizations to meet customers' onsite requirements.
Customer calls for support are routed through Cisco's Worldwide Technical Assistance Center. When a problem is determined to be hardware related, the case is forwarded to OSS engineers, who map out a solution and work with the third-party service organizations to dispatch service technicians and parts to the customer site.
AT&T GIS and IBM, the first Cisco worldwide third-party service providers, deliver onsite hardware support -- including hardware installation, upgrade, and repair -- 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Customers select either AT&T GIS or IBM as their service provider at the time they contract for Comprehensive or Comprehensive Premium service. ADL offers four-hour emergency parts delivery in support of Cisco's Comprehensive Premium Service Contracts. Cisco's OSS team works with ADL's National Call Center to dispatch needed parts from the appropriate ADL regional depot to the customer site.
Cisco currently offers support services through AT&T GIS and IBM in the USA, Canada, Western Europe, and Australia. ADL manages parts inventory and logistics for Cisco in the USA and Canada. The OSS has plans under way to expand hardware support and parts distribution service to other geographical areas in response to customer needs.
For more information on Cisco's Comprehensive or Comprehensive Premium Service Contracts, in the USA call 800 553-NETS (6387); outside the USA call the Cisco regional sales office nearest you as listed in "Cisco Systems Worldwide Offices." ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Cisco Systems and Nokia Telecommunications of Finland have announced plans to form a strategic alliance to develop ATM-based integrated voice and data networking solutions for telecommunications service providers. The alliance, announced in October 1995, anticipates European deregulation of the telecommunications market. Cisco's expertise in delivering data networking solutions for large heterogeneous networks will complement Nokia's proficiency in providing voice networking solutions for Europe's new telco operators.
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In October 1995, Cisco Systems acquired Combinet, Inc., a leading maker of Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) remote access networking products. The acquisition enhances Cisco's ISDN solutions, adding simple, low-cost access devices for telecommuters and small or home offices. Combinet professional office products offer ISDN connectivity that links these remote users to corporate WANs and the Internet.
Combinet technology has already been incorporated into the CiscoPro[tm] brand products for small and medium-size businesses and individuals. Combinet ISDN products will continue to be available through Cisco's traditional channels, including the company's direct sales force, value-added resellers (VARs), and partners, and through Combinet's established resellers and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Combinet products are interoperable with the Cisco Internetwork Operating System (Cisco IOS[tm]) software.
| CiscoPro[tm] Products |
|---|
| For more information on CiscoPro[tm] products, see "New CiscoPro Brand Delivers Tailored Solutions." |
Combinet was founded in 1988 to develop products that use ISDN technology to provide easy access to data for users at remote sites. Located in Sunnyvale, California (USA), Combinet had ISDN approval in more than 20 countries at the time it was acquired by Cisco.
| Cisco's ISDN Solutions |
|---|
| The Cisco Internetwork Operating System (Cisco IOS[tm]) software brings ISDN capabilities to Cisco products, offering ISDN connectivity for environments ranging from headquarters to homes: · The Cisco 7000 family and Cisco 4000 series routers provide ISDN concentration for headquarters, regional, and branch offices · Cisco 2500 routers provide primary or cost-effective backup capabilities · The Cisco 1000 series teams with Combinet products to deliver low-cost, dial-on-demand ISDN remote access with features designed expressly for telecommuting and small, branch, professional, or home offices |
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In November 1995 Cisco Systems purchased Grand Junction Networks[r], the inventor of Fast Ethernet (100BaseT) and the first company to provide Ethernet desktop switching. With the purchase of Grand Junction[r], Cisco brings LAN switching to the desktop, rounding out its Catalyst[tm] switching solutions and adding to the new CiscoPro[tm] family of products for small and medium-size businesses and individuals. The integrated product portfolio addresses the fast-growing demand for Ethernet switching. Grand Junction Networks' FastLink[tm] products for the desktop complement Cisco's other LAN switching products for the backbone and the workgroup.
Grand Junction Networks (Fremont, California, USA) was founded in 1992 and led the market in Ethernet desktop switching at the time of the acquisition. Cisco will continue to support FastLink products.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Internet Junction, a developer of Internet gateway software that connects desktop users to the Internet, was acquired by Cisco Systems in October 1995. Internet Junction's Passport software lets users run IP-based applications, including Web browsers such as Mosaic and Netscape, on their Novell IPX networks. IP Internet access software need not be installed on every Novell NetWare PC. This solution, which is also available for Windows NT, permits multiple users to share a single modem for simultaneous Internet access. The software also extends network investments by shielding mission-critical network servers from the demands of Internet access.
Passport's key functions will be integrated into the Cisco Internetwork Operating System (Cisco IOS[tm]) software, and Internet Junction products will be incorporated into Cisco's Internet Business Unit. Cisco already offers a variety of products that connect headquarters sites, regional, and branch offices to the Internet. Now, with solutions for Internet access from the desktop, Cisco offers end users even more choices for connecting to the Internet.
Headquartered in Mountain View, California (USA), Internet Junction was founded in March 1994 to develop products that provide simple, managed, and secure access to the Internet.
| Gateway Software |
|---|
| Gateways are devices that enable access across heterogeneous networks by providing protocol conversion. But gateways need not be hardware based. Software gateways are hardware independent and can isolate a network server to protect against security breaches. Through the acquisition of Internet Junction's Passport software, Cisco can offer Novell IPX-to-IP gateway software, connecting users in IPX LAN environments to the Internet, which uses the TCP/IP suite of protocols. |
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Technology Maximizes Resources for Internet Access
Through its recent purchase of Network Translation, Inc. (NTI), Cisco Systems will acquire NTI's Private Internet Exchange (PIX) family of high-performance, standalone firewalls based on network address translation (NAT) technology. NTI's firewall and NAT technology will enhance Cisco's solutions for easy and secure Internet access. These firewall solutions address the dual problems of Internet Protocol (IP) address depletion and Internet security.
With the increased focus on appropriate use of registered IP addresses, NTI's technology allows network managers to extend Internet access to a much larger number of computer hosts than the current assigned pool of globally unique IP addresses can accommodate. This leveraging of resources is accomplished by a NAT algorithm that dynamically maps reusable private network addresses to available registered IP addresses. The technology also enables use of the Internet Assigned Number Authority's (IANA's) reserved pool. Dynamic allocation methods mask the private network's internal architecture. Cisco plans to incorporate elements of NTI's technology into the Cisco Internetwork Operating System (Cisco IOS[tm]) software by mid-1996.
Network Translation, Inc. (NTI), founded in 1994, was a pioneer in the field of secure Internet access. The company, based in Palo Alto, California (USA), developed the Private Internet Exchange (PIX) network address translator, which will continue to be sold and supported through Cisco's sales channels. Cisco expected to finalize the purchase in late November.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Cisco Channel Interface Processor Is Key
Running the grid that provides electrical power to an entire state and operating one of the world's largest nuclear power generating facility are responsibilities that the Information Technology Department of the Arizona Public Service Company takes very seriously. A priority is placed on ensuring that mission-critical applications can be recovered quickly in the event of an unplanned interruption.
Rapid recovery requires that an effective program of critical data backups be implemented. This requirement becomes more challenging when distributed systems are involved. Like many companies, Arizona Public Service has undertaken a downsizing and consolidation program in its data center that is intended to offload numerous mainframe processes to enterprise servers and consolidate onto a single mainframe host the legacy applications that cannot be offloaded. All of the systems are connected to a TCP/IP network running on a Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI) dual ring for throughput and redundancy.
Longtime Cisco Systems customer Dave Levandowsky, an engineer with the company's Network Management Group, explains, "Over the past two years, we have consolidated three mainframes into one and implemented about 20 distributed servers -- 90 percent Sun SPARCstations and a few Hewlett-Packard hosts. We have interconnected the nearly 4000 users talking to our back-end systems through more than 100 Cisco routers. We've been extremely pleased with their operation and the Cisco service we've received."
Over time, Levandowsky says, the applications residing on the enterprise servers have become increasingly important. "We maintain our financial data warehouse, accounting applications, customer database, and marketing database on these servers. Recently, we established a materials management database on an enterprise server that we regard as a key application. Implementing this application made us take another look at how effectively server backups were being made."
What Levandowsky found startled him. "We discovered that there were a lot of problems with backing up the servers to their local 8-millimeter tape drives. For one, there were a lot of tape failures. This is expensive media, but we found it to be very unreliable. Plus, tracking the tapes after backups were taken was a problem: there was no centralization. It was time consuming and labor intensive to back up the servers individually. And getting the tapes offsite was an administrative problem."
A decision was made to centralize the backup of critical data backups on the mainframe. "We installed IBM's Adstar Distributed Storage Manager (ADSM) System to back up the enterprise servers to the mainframe at night. This seemed like a good idea, because we could be sure that everything was backed up, cataloged, and included in a centralized offsite storage management program. Plus, it reduced the number of personnel required to take care of backups and storage.
"The first time you take a backup under ADSM, the whole database is backed up, then only incremental backups are made of changes that were made that day. So it is pretty fast."
What was not anticipated in the strategy was the demand that the application, with its TCP/IP interface, would place on the mainframe. "We found ourselves in a real crunch for CPU cycles. We had already implemented IBM 3172s to offload some cycles related to TCP processing, but these were pretty well maxed out. We didn't want to add any more 3172s, because they were old technology and we had a lot of downtime due to their internal code. They are industrial-strength PCs, and they weren't as reliable as we wanted them to be. So we went looking for an alternative and found Cisco."
"Cisco introduced us to their Channel Interface Processor (CIP) card for the Cisco 7000 series routers. We had always had good experience with Cisco and decided to give the CIP a try. It has a 100-MHz RISC processor and enough memory to allow us to offload all of the TCP processing cycles required for our backup strategy. It does it all."
Scott Palmquist, CIP Product Manager at Cisco, agrees. "One of the classic problems with placing a TCP/IP protocol stack on the mainframe is that the mainframe is a batch-oriented machine. It is not well suited for transactions, and TCP/IP processing consists mainly of small-byte sessions. If you run TCP/IP on the mainframe, the host has to format packets for the LAN and checksum each packet, plus it has to worry about recovering session failures from the TCP/IP level in case the packet doesn't get through. Those are tasks that the mainframe is not suited for. Throughput goes down and cycle utilization goes up."
Through the CIP, Palmquist explains, "we remove the TCP tasks from the mainframe. We take care of the TCP traffic on the CIP card -- which is something that routers do well -- and we deliver the actual data to the mainframe through a Sockets-level applications programmable interface (API). Sockets is a very high-level API that allows you to open a pipe between two applications. TCP/IP offload, using the CIP, does not remove the need for TCP/IP applications such as FTP, TN3270, or Telnet on the mainframe, but it does remove the processing for the protocol itself."
To Levandowsky, what really matters is that CIP works. "A significant volume of data in our enterprise applications is becoming more and more critical. Cisco's CIP card enables us to use our centralized mainframe backup procedures to include enterprise server data backups. This, in turn, ensures our recoverability in a disaster and keeps us in compliance with Nuclear Regulatory Commission regulations, local Arizona regulations, and our own promises to more than 650,000 customers throughout Arizona."
Additional benefits, according to Levandowsky, are reduced dependence on 3172 technology, better performance, and improved manageability using CiscoWorks[tm] management applications on HP OpenView.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Organizations have a growing need for a process that handles packets differently based on their characteristics. Cisco's process, called policy-based routing, gives customers solutions where legal, contractual, or organizational constraints dictate that certain types of traffic be routed via specified network paths. Policy-based routing also meets requirements for centralizing WAN services or guaranteeing service for time-sensitive multimedia traffic.
The policy-based routing feature is implemented through new "set" commands to direct outbound traffic flows to a specified interface on the router. The initial implementation will allow the Cisco Internetwork Operating System (Cisco IOS[tm]) software to classify traffic based on extended access lists, which can be organized by any combination of source or destination IP address, TCP port numbers, or packet length.
The following are among the potential applications for the policy-based routing feature:
Policy-based routing is supported in Cisco IOS Software Release 11.0, which is currently shipping.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
High-quality service and support are the hallmarks of Cisco Systems' certified channel partners. Gold- and Silver-Certified Partners have achieved Cisco-defined levels of sales and support excellence. Certification on a country-by-country basis ensures that partners have resources in place to sell and support multinode networks within the region for which they have achieved certification.
| Gold-Certified Partners | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Company | Location | Company | Location |
| ABS | Austria | NIL | Slovenia |
| Alcatel BSG | Belgium | Realtech Systems | USA |
| Alcatel Data Networks | UK | Siemens AG | Germany |
| Alcatel MDS | Switzerland | Siemens Albis | Switzerland |
| Alcatel Reseaux d'Entreprise | France | Siemens Network Systems | UK |
| Alcatel SEL | Germany | Telemation GmbH | Germany |
| AT&T | Germany | Telindus | Belgium |
| AT&T GIS | UK | UB Networks | UK |
| Bell Atlantic Network Integration | USA | Unisys | Belgium |
| Bell Canada | Canada | Unisys | France |
| BT | UK | Unisys | Germany |
| Chernikeeff Ltd. | UK | Unisys | Portugal |
| Comtech | Belgium | Unisys | Switzerland |
| Consorcio Red Uno | Mexico | Unisys | UK |
| Cray Communications | New Zealand | Unitronics | Spain |
| Datrac AG | Switzerland | Upnet AB | Sweden |
| Dimension Data | South Africa | !nterprise Networking Services from US West | USA |
| Geveke Electronics Network | The Netherlands | ||
| Silver-Certified Partners | |||
| Company | Location | Company | Location |
| Arche Communications | France | NetCom | Israel |
| Ascom TCS | Italy | Olivetti SMS | Finland |
| BISS Ltd | UK | Open Systems | Austria |
| Convex | Portugal | RCS | France |
| Enterprise Networking Systems | USA | SMS | Finland |
| Interact Systemes | France | TRT/Experdata | France |
| ITS | France | Unisys | Spain |
| ITS | UK | Unisys | Sweden |
Technical Assistance Center (TAC) certification puts Cisco Systems' partners in Europe, the Middle East, and South Africa in partnership with Cisco's networking experts to deliver prompt and effective solutions to Cisco customers. TAC certification is a prerequisite to achieving Gold-Certified Partner status for Cisco's partners in Europe, the Middle East, and South Africa.
| TAC-Certified Partners | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Company | Location | Company | Location |
| Alcatel | Belgium | Dimension Data | South Africa |
| Alcatel | Germany | F. Hoffman La Roche | Switzerland |
| Alcatel Business Systems | France | Geveke Electronics Network | The Netherlands |
| Alcatel MDS | Switzerland | Netcom | Israel |
| AnyWeb | Swtizerland | NIL Ltd. | Slovenia |
| Arche Communications | France | RCS | France |
| Ascom TCS | Italy | Santa Monica Software | Finland |
| BISS Ltd. | UK | Siemens AG | Germany |
| Chernikeeff Ltd. | UK | Telemation GmbH | Germany |
| ComTech | Belgium | Telindus | Belgium |
| Convex Supercomputer | Portugal | Unisys | Belgium |
| Datrac AG | Switzerland | Upnet AB | Sweden |
| Digital Equipment Company Ltd. | UK | ||
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For an inside view of what it takes to become a Cisco-Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE), Packet recently spoke with two CCIEs from Bell Atlantic Network Integration (BANI). Neil Andersen and Gene Arantowicz are engineers for Network Support Services at BANI Central Services. After passing a written qualification test, CCIE candidates face the two-day CCIE Certification Laboratory with its challenging build, break, and restore scenarios. Andersen and Arantowicz recount their experiences preparing for and taking the CCIE lab test.
Neil Andersen and Gene Arantowicz proudly model their jackets displaying hard-earned CCIE designations.
Gene: The CCIE lab was hard to study for, hard to practice for, and hard to pass. That's why I value my framed CCIE certificate more than anything else that hangs on my office wall.
Neil: Cisco doesn't make it easy, but that's what gives my CCIE designation meaning. It says that I've had rigorous training, I have solid experience, and I've proven myself in the CCIE lab.
Gene: For Neil and me, becoming a CCIE was also a job requirement. BANI was the second Cisco-Certified Gold Partner, and we're required to have at least five CCIEs on staff. Neil and I are numbers five and six. Right now we're working on getting our seventh, eighth, and ninth CCIEs.
Neil: But getting to five wasn't easy. I had to take the test twice. The first time, I was so confident that I didn't prepare -- after all, I'm an instructor. I headed for California with my boss, who had spent over a week in our lab gearing up. My boss passed with flying colors [92 percent]. My score of 74 percent didn't cut it.
Gene: I saw how depressed Neil was when he didn't pass the first time. So when my turn came, I spent two weeks working in the lab every night. That capped two months of nightly studying. At lunch on the first day of the test, I thought, "How will I tell Neil I failed?" Then I focused on the job at hand, took it step by step -- and I passed. [Gene's score of 99.5 percent reflected just one incorrect IP address.]
Neil: The second time around, I spent a week and a half in the lab preparing. When I retook the test, I was surprised that I didn't get the same lab. That made it a true test of ability, not rote memory. This time I scored 98 percent and on my flight home I was wearing a smile the whole way.
Gene: For me, work as a CCIE is one hundred percent different. That may sound exaggerated, but I now know every protocol, every little trick. I'm providing much better support than I ever could have before.
Neil: I won't say that becoming a CCIE changed my life, but I do get more respect from my peers. And I have a new philosophy that's changing the way I approach a lot of things in life: "If something's worth getting, it's worth working hard to get it."
| Cisco's CCIE Program |
|---|
| CCIEs are a select group of technical professionals who have mastered rigorous, lab-based tests. The CCIE Certification Lab takes the program beyond "paper-only" testing. More information about the CCIE program is available online at World Wide Web URL:
http://www.cisco.com
, or by sending an e-mail request to ccie-help@cisco.com. |
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
With the introduction of its new CiscoPro[tm] product line, Cisco Systems delivers tailored networking solutions for small and medium-size businesses, professional and home offices, remote users, and telecommuters. For these users, CiscoPro products address the growing need for basic networking solutions, including connection to the Internet, remote access for telecommuters, and support of popular business applications such as distributed databases and high-speed document transfer.
CiscoPro products are easy to install and easy to operate, with feature sets targeted to the needs of small and medium-size businesses and home offices. All CiscoPro products incorporate features of the Cisco Internetwork Operating System (Cisco IOS[tm]) software, ensuring interoperability with all other Cisco products.
Initial CiscoPro offerings include workgroup and remote access solutions, as well as network management tools. CiscoPro workgroup solutions include fixed-configuration and stackable switching products. Access solutions deliver routing technology scaled for the requirements of branch offices and telecommuters.
CiscoPro products for workgroup and access are managed by CiscoVision[tm], a Windows-based network management solution. CiscoVision enables users to configure, monitor, and manage all CiscoPro products from one desktop. A point-and-click user interface and graphical displays provide "at-a-glance" network management for nontechnical users.
CiscoPro products are available exclusively through resellers specially certified to offer the CiscoPro brand. The CiscoPro product line is now available in North America, and will be offered in other geographic regions in phased stages throughout the coming year.
For more information on CiscoPro products, in the USA and Canada call 800 GO-CISCO (462-4726). Product information is available online at World Wide Web URL:
http://www.cisco.com.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Cisco Systems consistently strives to expand its quality systems to meet the needs of the international marketplace and often leads the industry in compliance with emerging global standards. The last issue of Packet magazine (Third Quarter 1995) reported that Cisco had become the first internetworking vendor to achieve Global International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001 certification and the first US-based manufacturing operation to receive Full Quality Assurance (FQA) approval for products that connect to European public telecommunications networks. Now Cisco is the first US manufacturer to be accredited by the National Measurement Accreditation Service (NAMAS) to conduct its own Electro-Magnetic Compatibility (EMC) testing.
Cisco's Compliance Engineering labs are qualified to self-certify compliance to EMC requirements under European testing standards. The European Community's CE mark for EMC certifies that Cisco products neither interfere with nor are susceptible to electromagnetic interference by other products. Self-certification means that Cisco can quickly deliver new products to international customers. "Cisco has the test facilities and expertise to continue to achieve certifications that are normally earned by companies whose only business is product compliance testing," says Karin Beumer, Cisco Vice President of Quality. "Our customers can be confident that Cisco complies with the strictest international standards."
| North American Customers Now Polled Twice Yearly |
|---|
| To accelerate response time to end users' suggestions, Cisco is now sending its Customer Satisfaction Surveys twice each year to customers in the USA and Canada. The results of the 1995 year-end survey will appear in an upcoming issue of Packet. |
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Cisco welcomes IS and network professionals to participate in a series of free, half-day and daylong seminars that present a range of enterprise networking solutions. The newest additions to the Cisco Seminar Series focus on network management platforms and access for mobile computing. Seminars are offered in the USA and at selected locations worldwide.
Because a network is only as manageable as its hardware and software components, this new seminar highlights the features of the Cisco Internetwork Operating System (Cisco IOS[tm]) software that facilitate network management solutions: built-in Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) agents, Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol proxy support, and Hot Standby Routing Protocol (HSRP). The seminar also covers a range of related network management topics, such as how to plan and optimize to save bandwidth and control costs, how to exploit Remote Monitoring (RMON) technology for performance management, and how to deploy management platforms as centralized, distributed, hierarchical, or peer-to-peer systems.
For this innovative series offered in the USA, Cisco is partnering with the Regional Bell Operating Companies (RBOCs) to provide comprehensive, end-to-end solutions for dial-up access for telecommuters and mobile users. Cisco experts present real case studies that illustrate how to limit cost by optimizing WAN usage and when to use Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) versus asynchronous dial-up. Local RBOCs for each region explain their WAN services and rates, legislation, and trends.
As networks continue to grow both in size and in number of remote locations, connectivity and ease of use become critical. Cisco experts demonstrate how remote user sites can access resources that were once the exclusive realm of large, multiprotocol core networks.
This highly technical seminar emphasizes the role of Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) in switched internetworking. Cisco consulting engineers cover advanced topics including ATM signaling, Private Network-Network Interface (PNNI) ATM routing protocols, native-mode protocol operation over ATM, and virtual LANs.
Focusing on SNA environments, Cisco experts explain how to reduce the cost of network ownership by integrating and managing separate SNA and multiprotocol networks.
Using a comprehensive case study, this seminar demonstrates the fundamentals of constructing a successful, cost-effective enterprise internetwork.
This survey of switching solutions includes case studies of high-bandwidth applications. The seminar also explores the design challenges of high-speed technologies and the benefits of virtual LANs.
Complete information is available online at the World Wide Web URL:
http://www.cisco.com
,or in the USA call 800 829-NETS (6387) and reference the priority code next to each seminar title. For information on seminars offered in Canada, call 800 668 0856. For information on seminars offered outside the USA and Canada, call the Cisco regional sales office nearest you as listed on the back cover of this publication or contact your local authorized Cisco partner/reseller.
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When the new school year began at Costano School in East Palo Alto, California (USA) in September, Michael Hooper could have completed an exemplary composition on the theme, "What I did on my summer vacation." But Hooper is not a student; he is the teacher who runs the school's computer lab. Hooper spent the summer as a test engineer at Cisco Systems. His assignment was to upgrade and reconfigure the Cisco routers used in the school district's wide-area network (WAN).
In Costano School's computer lab, Michael Hooper greets 515 students each week.
Hooper's vacation achievements contributed to the successful completion of phase one of the Ravenswood Public School District's technology plan. As a result:
Part of Hooper's summer as a Cisco test engineer was spent acquiring the technical skills to provide ongoing maintenance and support of the school district's Cisco equipment. Cisco also included a short course in Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) technology to better enable Hooper to monitor Ravenswood's ISDN connections.
Costano's computer lab, recently upgraded to include 32 PCs on a Novell network with a Sun Microsystems SPARCstation, has advanced from worst to best in the district, according to Hooper. The lab attracts 515 students a week. Hooper is proud of that accomplishment and of other trends at the school. "Here's an example," says Hooper. "A year ago we tested 13 children in algebra skills. All 13 failed. This time 12 of 13 students not only passed, but earned the highest average test scores in the district."
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Designed to help schools institute online learning, Cisco Systems' new Virtual Schoolhouse Grant Program provides the tools for Internet access to K--12 schools in the United States. Up to 50 schools will be selected for grants. For more information or to obtain a grant application, refer to CEARCH, the Cisco Educational Archive at the World Wide Web URL:
http://sunsite.unc.edu/cisco
, or contact Cisco's education hotline at 408 526-4226 (California, USA).
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Cisco 7500 series of high-end routers won back-to-back "Best of Show" awards at NetWorld+Interop 95 in September, winning in the "Best Internetworking Product" category at both the Paris and Atlanta venues of the show. In Paris, the Cisco 7500 went on to capture the "Best of the Best" award as the top contender among Best of Show winners in all categories.
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| January 30-February 1 | ComNet, Washington, DC, USA |
| February 13-16 | Expo Comm 96, Mexico City, Mexico |
| February 27-March 1 | Comdex, Mexico City, Mexico |
| April 1-5 | NetWorld+Interop 96, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA |
| April 18-20 | NetWorkers 96 Australia, Gold Coast, Australia |
| April 24-25 | NetWorkers 96 Japan, Tokyo, Japan |
| May 7-9 | NetWorkers 96 USA, Dallas, Texas, USA |
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Cisco Systems invites customers to attend
NETWORKERS `96 USA
Cisco's Annual User Symposium
May 7--9, 1996 Dallas Convention Center Dallas, Texas, USA
Mark your calendar now!
Stay in touch! Updates on NetWorkers `96 are available online
at the World Wide Web URL:
http://www.cisco.com
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Covering Trends and Technology for Internetworking Professionals
Cisco World is the first independent news and technical publication to feature Cisco Systems and its partners.
To subscribe or to obtain more information...
In the USA, contact the publisher, Publications and Communications,
Inc. (PCI, Texas, USA), at 800 678-9PCI (678-9724), ext. 5.
Outside the USA, call 512 250-9023, ext. 5.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Expert Cisco Training around the Globe
Cisco training delivers the information you need to design and maintain scalable internetworks. Cisco-certified training partners around the world offer a variety of courses for network planners, network technicians, and network administrators. The Cisco Training Broadcast brings you registration information, course descriptions, worldwide schedules, and a complete listing of Cisco-certified training partners.
Access the Cisco Training Broadcast online at World Wide Web URL:
http://www.cisco.com
. To request a paper copy, call the Cisco sales office nearest you as listed on the back cover of this magazine, or in the USA call 800 553-NETS (6387) or 408 526-7290.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Cisco Systems has over 120 sales offices worldwide. Call the company's corporate headquarters (California, USA) at 408 526-4000 to contact your local account representative or, in North America, call 800 553-NETS (6387).
| Corporate Headquarters | |
|---|---|
| Cisco Systems, Inc. 170 West Tasman Drive San Jose, California 95134-1706 USA World Wide Web URL:
http://www.cisco.com
Tel: 408 526-4000 800 553-NETS (6387) Fax: 408 526-4100 |
|
| Europe, Middle East, and Africa | |
|---|---|
| European Headquarters Parc Evolic-Batiment L2 16 avenue du Quebec BP 706 Villebon 91961 Courtaboeuf Cedex, France Tel: 33 1 6918 61 00 Fax: 33 1 6928 83 26 |
|
| Austria, Cisco Systems Austria GmbH Vienna, Austria Tel: 43 1 7007 6233 Fax: 43 1 7007 6027 |
Norway, Cisco Systems Oslo, Norway Tel: 47 22 83 06 31 Fax: 47 22 83 22 12 |
| Belgium, Cisco Systems Bruxelles Brussels, Belgium Tel: 32 2 778 42 00 Fax: 32 2 778 43 00 |
South Africa, Cisco Systems S. Africa Rivonia, South Africa Tel: 27 11 807 4444 Fax: 27 11 807 4447 |
| Denmark, Cisco Systems Copenhagen, Denmark Tel: 45 33 37 71 57 Fax: 45 33 37 71 53 |
Spain, Cisco Systems Spain Madrid, Spain Tel: 34 1 383 2178 Fax: 34 1 383 8008 |
| Germany, Cisco Systems GmbH Unterschleissheim, Germany Tel: 49 89 32 15070 Fax: 49 89 32 150710 |
Sweden, Cisco Systems AB Stockholm, Sweden Tel: 46 8 681 41 60 Fax: 46 8 19 04 24 |
| Ireland, Cisco Systems Ltd. Dublin, Ireland Tel: 35 3 1 475 4244 Fax: 35 3 1 475 4778 |
Switzerland, Cisco Systems Switzerland Naenikon, Switzerland Tel: 41 1 905 20 50 Fax: 41 1 941 50 60 |
| Italy, Cisco Systems Italy Srl Milan, Italy Tel: 39 2 26 97 31 Fax: 39 2 26 92 9006 |
United Arab Emirates, Cisco Systems (Middle East) Dubai, UAE Tel: 971 4 318 788 Fax: 971 4 313 681 |
| The Netherlands, Cisco Systems Gorinchem, The Netherlands Tel: 31 183 622 988 Fax: 31 183 622 404 |
United Kingdom, Cisco Systems Ltd. Feltham, United Kingdom Tel: 44 1 81 818 1400 Fax: 44 1 81 893 2824 |
| Intercontinental | |
|---|---|
| Intercontinental Headquarters Cisco Systems, Inc. 170 West Tasman Drive San Jose, California 95134-1706 USA Tel: 408 526-7660 Fax: 408 526-4646 |
Japanese Headquarters Nihon Cisco Systems K.K. Seito Kaikan 4F 5, Sanbancho, Chiyoda-ku Tokyo 102, Japan Tel: 81 3 5211 2800 Fax: 81 3 5211 2810 |
| Argentina, Cisco Systems Argentina Buenos Aires, Argentina Tel: 54 1 811 7526 Fax: 54 1 811 7495 |
Indonesia, Cisco Systems, Indonesia Jakarta, Indonesia Tel: 62 21 523 9132 Fax: 62 21 523 9259 |
| Australia, Cisco Systems Australia Pty. Ltd. North Sydney, Australia Tel: 61 2 9935 4200 Fax: 61 2 9957 4077 |
Korea, Cisco Systems Korea Seoul, Korea Tel: 82 2 3453 0850 Fax: 82 2 3453 0851 |
| Brazil, Cisco Systems Do Brasil Sao Paulo, Brazil Tel/Fax: 55 11 822 6095 Tel/Fax: 55 11 822 6396 |
Malaysia, Cisco Systems (HK) Ltd, Kuala Lumpur Office Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Tel: 60 3 236 5147 Fax: 60 3 236 5146 |
| Canada, Cisco Systems Canada Limited Toronto, Ontario, Canada Tel: 416 217-8000 Fax: 416 217-8099 |
Mexico, Cisco Systems de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. Mexico City, Mexico Tel: 52 5 328 7600 Fax: 52 5 328 7699 |
| Central America/Caribbean, Cisco Systems Inc. Miami, Florida, USA Tel: 305 228-1200 Fax: 305 222-8456 |
New Zealand, Cisco Systems New Zealand Auckland, New Zealand Tel: 64 9 358 3776 Fax: 64 9 358 4442 |
| China, PRC, Cisco Systems (HK) Ltd, Beijing Office Beijing, PRC Tel: 86 10 501 8888 x821 Fax: 86 10 501 4531 |
Singapore, Cisco Systems (HK) Ltd, Singapore Office Singapore Tel: 65 320 8398 Fax: 65 320 8307 |
| Colombia, Cisco Systems Colombia Bogota, Colombia Tel: 57 1 296 0067 Fax: 57 1 616 3030 |
Taiwan, ROC Cisco Systems (HK) Ltd, Taipei Office Taipei, Taiwan, ROC Tel: 88 62 577 4352 Fax: 88 62 577 0248 |
| Hong Kong, Cisco Systems (HK) Ltd Wanchai, Hong Kong Tel: 852 2583 9110 Fax: 852 2824 9528 |
Thailand, Cisco Systems (HK) Ltd, Bangkok Office Bangkok, Thailand Tel: 66 2 231 8300 Fax: 66 2 231 8308 |
| India, Cisco Systems (HK) Ltd, New Delhi Liaison Office New Delhi, India Tel: 91 11 688 1234 x119 Fax: 91 11 611 7688 |
Venezuela, Cisco Venezuela Caracas, Venezuela Tel/Fax: 58 2 963 6140 |
| United States | |
|---|---|
| Central Operations Cleveland, Ohio Tel: 216 520-1720 Fax: 216 328-2102 |
Northern Operations Bloomington, Minnesota Tel: 612 851-8300 Fax: 612 851-8311 |
| Eastern Operations Berwyn, Pennsylvania Tel: 610 695-6000 Fax: 610 695-6006 |
Service Provider Operations (Telecommunications) San Ramon, California Tel: 510 855-4800 Fax: 510 855-4896 |
| Federal Operations Reston, Virginia Tel: 703 715-4000 Fax: 703 715-4004 |
Southwestern Operations Dallas, Texas Tel: 214 774-3300 Fax: 214 774-3344 |
| Northeastern Operations New York, New York Tel: 212 330-8500 Fax: 212 330-8505 |
Western Operations San Mateo, California Tel: 415 377-5600 Fax: 415 377-5699 |
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