Cisco Introduces First Universal Access Server Family
SAN JOSE, Calif., -- January 30, 1996 -- Cisco Systems, Inc. today introduced the AS5200, the first product in a new family of Universal Access Servers that integrates traditional and advanced telecommunications technologies, as well as ensures cost-effective scalability to accommodate future growth in network demand. The AS5200 offers breakthroughs in universal access, modem management, scalability and network management in an integrated plain old telephone service (POTS) and Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) solution. The product is intended for Internet Service Providers (ISPs), telecommunications carriers and other providers who offer managed Internet connections, as well as large corporations that provide both digital and analog access to users on an enterprise network. "Cisco's new Universal Access Server series reinforces our commitment to provide market-leading dial-up access solutions for the continued growth of on-line services, virtual dial-up services and telecommuter programs," said Don Listwin, vice president and general manager of Cisco's Access Business Unit. "The AS5200 represents a new standard for mixed media dial-in solutions, bringing the unique functionality and scalability of the Cisco Internetwork Operating System (Cisco IOS(tm)) software to a new platform."
Universal Access
To meet the growing need to access information from disparate sources, the AS5200 offers two levels of connectivity to provide telecommuters, mobile professionals and home computer users with the most complete universal network accessibility. First, both POTS and ISDN can be terminated on the same chassis, enabling ISPs and enterprise network managers to meet traditional dial-in needs, while supporting the growing demand for high-speed ISDN access. On a second level, the AS5200 supports the most complete set of access protocols through the Cisco IOS software, including IP, IPX, and AT, PPP, SLIP, and X.3/X.28/X.29. This extensive accessibility enables Cisco to offer the industry's first universal access functionality for large-scale deployment.Managed Modems
The Cisco AS5200 is also the first access server to support multiple modem technology and provide centrally managed modem capabilities, key requirements for service providers and enterprises building large dial-in pools. The AS5200 features an open modem architecture, including modems from Microcom and U.S. Robotics, enabling customers to maximize modem coverage for higher performance, while leveraging their installed base of modem technology. The AS5200 also offers the most complete modem management capabilities, providing network managers with one solution at a central management point. For example, the same management platform is used to manage both routers and modems, significantly streamlining network management. In addition, incoming modem calls can be managed in progress rather than after the call, allowing for fast troubleshooting and analysis. And, finally, the ability to configure both managed and unmanaged modems provides network managers with the cost-effective option of managing modems remotely.Scalability
With the Cisco IOS software's implementation of the multi-chassis, multi-link Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP), ISPs and enterprise network managers with large dial-in pools can easily scale and integrate their access infrastructures to aggregate multiple calls on multiple servers, providing a higher bandwidth solution to their end users. These scalability features are critical for service providers and enterprise customers as they build massively deployed access infrastructures.Cost Control
Lower operating costs are also achievable with the new AS5200's set of central management capabilities. In addition to advanced modem management features, the AS5200 comes bundled with CiscoWorks, which provides extensive bandwidth optimization features -- unlike those offered by any other vendor -- to help service providers and enterprise customers lower the recurring costs associated with operating a geographically dispersed wide-area network (WAN). In addition, Cisco's configuration management capabilities provide network managers with complete control over network statistics and the ability to configure and tune network operations from a central location. Finally, comprehensive debugging software substantially reduces the time and cost associated with problem isolation and correction. Through the rich feature set of the Cisco IOS software, combined with Cisco's new Universal Access Server platform, large enterprises and service providers can for the first time deploy massive access infrastructures that are universally accessible, completely scalable and cost effective. This allows customers to protect and leverage their Cisco infrastructure investments in training and expertise across new Cisco platforms.Availability
The AS5200 Universal Access Server, with modems from either Microcom or U.S. Robotics, is scheduled to be available in the second quarter of 1996. Additional modem support will be announced in the future.About Cisco
Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) is the leading global supplier of internetworking solutions, including routers, LAN and ATM switches, dial-up access servers, and network management software. These products, integrated by the Cisco IOS software, link geographically dispersed LANs, WANs and IBM networks. Cisco Systems news and product/service information are available at World Wide Web site http://www.cisco.com. Cisco Systems is headquartered in San Jose, Calif.Posted: Jan 26 09:39:12 1996
