Cisco router: description, features

When it comes to professional equipment for building wired and wireless networks in home and office environments, the range on the market narrows to the products of one manufacturer. It is the Cisco router that is guaranteed to cope with any given task. In this article, the reader will get to know the world leader in the market of switching equipment, and the description and characteristics of popular devices will help determine the choice when buying.

Positioning of Cisco products

In the world market there are many brands that offer their solutions to customers in terms of building local area networks for both office and home use. However, Cisco's switch (router) occupies a leading position. The main feature of this equipment is compatibility with any operating system and computer equipment (scalability and fault tolerance - the main criteria in administration).

All Cisco equipment has a flexible management and configuration system, as well as a wide range of functions and capabilities in terms of building a secure network. The only negative that can be found in the owners' reviews is the high cost. However, immediately, any user agrees that the real quality always has to pay the appropriate price, and Cisco products are no exception.

Management Software

When it comes to connecting more than a dozen computers on the local network, many administrators have a lot of problems with managing and configuring connections. In the course are office applications and graphical editors, in which administrators try to represent the representation of the network built (the problem is relevant for many educational institutions that can not afford the purchase of expensive equipment).

A serious manufacturer took care of their customers and provided a solution called the Cisco packet tracer. A router of any generation (except the SB and RV series) perfectly integrates with this application and provides full access to the hardware of the equipment. However, the administrator still have to get into the work with the program and build a visual topology of the network. After that, network resources management is simplified to the level "clicked on the icon - set the parameters". Support for scripts with Cisco equipment allows you to configure the network of all computers at the same time.

The possibilities of elite equipment

Naturally, many potential buyers are very interested in what equipment features. Cisco router, regardless of type and class, provides the following features:

• Integration with any operating system (UNIX, Windows, Linux, MacOS);
• Support for all network protocols (L2TP, IPSec, ESP, PPTP and others);
• Work with any type of encryption (DES, AES, MD5, SHA and others, including self-creation of the key based on them);
• Support for the authentication of Active Directory, Tokien, Aladdin and other little-known keys;
• Complete absence of hardware conflicts in the work of specialized software for connecting and managing Cisco hardware;
• Traffic compression, building tunnels and managing local resources;
• Support for a programmatic API that allows programmers to create their own applications with which the Cisco router is capable;
• The ability to control wireless access points, including RADIUS identification and signal strength adjustment.

Programs for connecting from outside

The declared protection of local networks from external connections will unambiguously induce indignation of users who want to work with company resources at home. However, it is not necessary to be upset, because the manufacturer took this opportunity into account and provided specialized software for connecting to the network from the outside, which is supported at the hardware level by the Cisco router. The description of the Cisco VPN Client application , like the program itself, is available on the official website of the manufacturer, and each user, knowing the network parameters (provides the administrator), will be able to connect to any enterprise resource from a personal computer or laptop.

The application supports work in domains, integrates with any operating system and is absolutely free. It should be noted that this is the only program that is able to create a virtual private network inside the constructed channel using the same technology. In simple terms, it is a secure tunnel created on any connection to a communication service provider.

How to choose the right equipment?

Professionals do not recommend customers to first purchase a Cisco router, and then build local area networks. All you need to do exactly the opposite:

1. Create a planogram of all connections, first on paper.
2. Identify the types of connection for representatives of Internet services as the head office, and remote offices.
3. Make a list of local computers on the network and their intended purpose.
4. Identify with additional equipment that requires dedicated communication channels, encryption and transmission of non-standard traffic (IP-telephony, VoIP, Video and the like functions).
5. Solve the issue with the management - will be administered by one person, or a group of persons located at each representation separately.

After installing the basics of creating local-area networks it is recommended to transfer all the necessary information to Cisco specialists who can select the right equipment. This is the only way to avoid unnecessary expenses for the purchase of expensive equipment.

Initial level of professional class

The Cisco 1841 router is designed to build a local area network in a small office. The task of the router is to create a connection to the Internet, processing and transferring information with the specified parameters to the internal network. In fact, this is a normal filter with great functionality. The routers of the 18th series are not intended for local network wiring, this should be remembered when purchasing. True, they have an optional network hub and corresponding settings, but its functionality is designed for completely different tasks.

The router 1841 can create a connection for all existing connection types (including virtual private networks). And in the device settings, the administrator can make restrictions on the width of the channel and set up load balancing of outgoing traffic to two network outlets. The filter allows you to not only encrypt incoming and outgoing traffic, but also create exceptions to work on the Internet. The Cisco product is a guarantee of security, unlike conventional routers, because it is impossible to penetrate the local network.

A real wireless device

The Cisco 881 router is one of the few devices on the network equipment market that has all the functionality to create a local area network independently. Such a router is an ideal solution for organizing connections at home or in a small organization (cafe, shop, small business).

The task of this router is to create a wired and wireless network in large rooms. Built-in 4-port switch allows you to connect four computers, and the module Wi-Fi provides the operation of all kinds of wireless devices. The settings of the router allow you to create several different, independent from each other, local networks. For example, for an enterprise management it is possible to make unhindered access to the Internet, and for guest connections to enter some restrictions. Unlike inexpensive models of routers on the computer market, the Cisco product guarantees security and stability.

Network management console

The Cisco 2901 router, unlike other modifications, can not be called an independent device. Its main task is to build a communication channel through Internet networks, which provide for the use of several similar devices. This router builds a point-to-point tunnel. Accordingly, it is intended for work within the limits of one enterprise, offices and representative offices of which are located at a distance from each other.

The device has 4 expansion ports (optional), which can be occupied by installing different modules. A very popular in this modification is the voice messaging and video communication board. The Cisco router allows you to configure multiple tunnels on one communication channel and seamlessly transfer data to each other. Like all other products of the company, the router supports encryption, is able to create connections and works with virtual private networks. Data transmission security is guaranteed.

The scope of opportunities is expanding

But the Cisco 2911 router is an improved version of the 29th series. In addition to building tunnels with similar devices, the router is designed to create networks in the office or its remote office. However, for the organization of wired connections it is necessary to buy a network switch. Naturally, each port of the router can be configured individually for each task.

Also, the device provides a controller for connecting and managing Cisco wireless points (about 20 pieces). This device supports encryption of communication channels and provides remote control using console commands. The router is designed for installation in a server rack (it takes two units). To do this, it is equipped with an excellent cooling system and provides control of the power supply and coolers to other control cards.

Self-sufficient LAN builder

The Cisco 2921 router is considered to be a standalone device that is able to conduct a wired connection to secure networks on the scale of one enterprise via the Internet channel. However, most administrators prefer this router to use as a control panel all Cisco routers located at a distance. The fact that this device is a full-fledged computer that has the appropriate snap-in and is able to perform flexible configuration of the equipment connected to it.

With this equipment in large companies, whose offices can be located outside the state, it is customary to use the Cisco 2911 router. These two devices working in pairs can create a secure local area network. There are cases when such a bunch is used by many providers that provide Internet services on the basis of local computer networks. Varying settings can be anything: from creating a standard communication channel to setting individual parameters for each connection.

About backup communication channels

The relatively inexpensive Cisco 2811 router is popular in corporations where constant support of the communication channel is required, for example, to connect to a database. A feature of this device is a dial-up connection to several Internet service providers. The router is able to determine the quality of each channel connection and switch to a more productive connection. Works great with satellite equipment and 3G connection.

It is not necessary to count on the organization of local-computer networks with this router. Its functionality is slightly limited, in contrast to expensive Cisco representatives. But this does not mean that the router is not capable of encrypting the channel and remotely tuning. The hardware of the router is still capable of supporting autonomous operation within one office.

Serious brand for the average user

It is not uncommon for a home user to want a decent switch. Cisco router is present on the market in the form of inexpensive solutions, which are sufficient for building wireless networks within the home or apartment. Two product lines are presented: SB-series for creating wireless networks and RV-series for wired connections. Cisco modifications are more simplified than expensive equipment, but the limitations only concern building internal communication channels and remote management.

With security in operation, encryption of the communication channel and quality of work in wireless networks, the budget version of the router has full order. In comparison with cheap representatives of switched equipment that are present in the domestic market, the router does not know how to overheat, shut down at high loads and hang when connecting a large number of users.

Budget version of Cisco

For readers wishing to purchase an inexpensive router for home use, Cisco's budget router, Linksys, will be an acceptable purchase. It is clear that the category of 5-20 thousand rubles is difficult to call publicly available, but, in comparison with cheap competitors, an entry-level router will have all the functions claimed by the manufacturer.

In the domestic market, wireless routers of the following models are in great demand: WRT160NL, E1200, X3500 and their varieties. In the responses of the owners, the reader will not meet the negative, the indignation can only be about the complexity in the settings and management. The fact is that the Cisco manufacturer is oriented to the corporate segment, and all equipment is "sharpened" for remote administration.

Finally

As you can see from the review, Cisco router is not just another switch in the market of computer equipment. This is a whole complex for building secure networks inside companies and huge enterprises. In a business where the cost of information and its high-quality transmission over long distances are the main criterion, there is no place for cheap devices.

Yes, there are Cisco products on the market in the budget class, but their existence is due only to the satisfaction of demand, when the average user wants to have on hand elite equipment. Nothing in common, except fault tolerance, the budget representative with professional Cisco equipment is not. Everyone needs to know about this.