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Telecommunications equipment industry

Cisco Unveils High-Performance LAN Switching Solution for Midmarket Customers

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Cisco Systems, Inc. has introduced a high-performance local area network (LAN) switching solution that prepares midmarket customers for the deployment of IP telephony and other converged applications. This solution, an extension of the Cisco Architecture for Voice, Video, and Integrated Data (AVVID), enables companies to take advantage of new world applications that enhance competitiveness by cutting costs and improving productivity.

The new LAN infrastructure solution comprises the Cisco Catalyst 3524-PWR XL model, which features inline power and updated software functionality for the Catalyst 3500 series XL and 2900 series XL desktop switches. The software update includes enhanced quality of service (QoS), high availability, integrated management capabilities, and security. This solution prioritizes network traffic, ensuring that mission-critical traffic, such as voice traffic, is prioritized ahead of file transfers or Web surfing.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Cisco Catalyst 3524-PWR XL switch features inline power, allowing it to automatically detect and power IP devices, such as IP phones, without the need for an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) or separate wall power.
  • The switch supports prioritized network traffic, enabling users to change the switch CoS settings on a per-port basis to prioritize mission-critical traffic.
  • Cisco's new LAN switching solution enables mid-sized companies to take the first step toward converged applications, including IP telephony, which can reduce phone costs and provide greater control over the network.
  • The solution includes features such as VLANs, fast-convergent Spanning Tree, and other high-availability features to enhance overall network stability and reliability.
  • The Cluster Management Suite (CMS) provides a Web-based management tool that allows network managers to view and manage a switch cluster from anywhere on the network.
  • Cisco's Catalyst 3500 and 2900 series XL switches provide a number of wiring closet security options, including port security, TACACS+ authentication, and Private VLAN Edge.

Statistics:

  • The Catalyst 3524-PWR XL switch has a list price of U.S. $3,995.
  • Cisco's current line of Catalyst 2900 and 3500 XL series switches are priced starting at U.S. $1,995.
  • The Catalyst 3500 series XL switches support up to 24 10/100 switched ports with integrated inline power.
  • The Catalyst 3500 and 2900 series XL switches include hardware- and software-based high availability features that optimize network uptime and prevent network outages.

Sources:

  • Cisco Systems, Inc.
  • Bill Rossi, Senior Director of Marketing for the Desktop Switching Business Unit at Cisco Systems, Inc.
  • Michael Speyer, Director, Small & Medium Business Communications at the Yankee Group, a Boston, Mass.-based research firm.

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