SAN JOSE, Calif., July 10, 1995 -- Cisco Systems today introduced twointerface modules that enable its Cisco 4000 mid-range router family toconnect remote LANs or individual users to corporate internetworks via anIntegrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) Primary Rate Interface (PRI).
The new single-port ISDN PRI interfaces operate in the Cisco 4000 and 4500modular three-slot routers. One of the cards, designed for use in Northand South America and Japan, supports up to 23 64-Kbps ISDN B channels fordata transmission; the other, for Europe and Australia, supports up to 3064-Kbps ISDN B channels. Channelized T1 and E1 services, where available,are also supported by the cards.
The new ISDN PRI interfaces join existing Cisco ISDN products -- theCisco1003 and
Supports Up to 60 LANs or Individual Remote Users
Kevin Kennedy, Cisco director of marketing for remote access products,said, "ISDN PRI brings higher-density, more cost-effective ISDNconnectivity to the Cisco 4000 line than was possible with BRI interfaces.With two PRI cards installed, a Cisco 4500, in conjunction with remote-siteCisco 1003 or 2500 ISDN routers, can support up to 60 LANs or individualremote users dialing in simultaneously to a major site."With the Cisco Internetwork Operating System (Cisco IOS(tm)), customersget full multiprotocol routing, rather than just the bandwidth-consuming,and thereby expensive, bridging that competitors offer for non-IP traffic.The Cisco IOS also contributes cost-saving bandwidth-management featuressuch as dial-on-demand routing and protocol spoofing."
Functions as Remote-Node Server
In conjunction with Cisco's LAN2LAN Personal Office for ISDN or with otherPoint-to-Point Protocol (PPP)-based solutions, Cisco 4000 series routerswith ISDN PRI cards also can function as ISDN remote-node servers, allowingup to 60 home- or small-office users on PCs or workstations to accesscorporate resources as quickly as if they were LAN-based. To providesecure communication in such environments, the ISDN PRI cards later thisyear will support the TACACS+ security mechanism.The ISDN PRI interfaces also can be used to provide fault-tolerance bybacking up a failed or congested leased line, or to implement ISDN as auser's primary WAN service -- an economical alternative to leased lines.In areas where channelized T1/E1 services are offered, the cards can beused to aggregate multiple 56- or 64-Kbps lines into a single line atcorporate headquarters.
Availability
The Cisco 4000 ISDN PRI/Channelized T1/E1 interface cards are immediatelyavailable.With more than 80,000 units installed worldwide, the Cisco 4000 is the mostwidely sold modular router in the industry.
Posted: Mon Nov 2 16:05:10 PST 1998
