Cisco Networking Services Enable New Class of Network-Aware Applications

SAN JOSE, Calif., May 6, 1998 - Cisco Systems, Inc. today announcedCisco Networking Services (CNS), an approach for helping developers build a new class of network-aware applications. CNS will include a product strategy based on directory technology and partnering efforts with application developers.

Planned CNS product capabilities will allow developers to create powerful associations between applications, users and network services. Because of these close associations, individual users can receive customized network services, such as priority access or specially tailored information.

CNS is part of Cisco's broad strategy to more closely tie the performance of business applications to the services offered by a network. Another element in this strategy, the CiscoAssure Policy Networking initiative, helps networks become more application-aware. The CNS program helps applications become more network-aware.

Network-aware means an application can call upon various capabilities in the network, based on service policies defined by the network operator. Forexample, a CNS-enabled human-resources application could immediately notifythe CNS directory of personnel changes, which in turn would triggernetwork-management applications to alter network services. Directoryservices are key to network-aware applications, as the directory holdsinformation about the users and resources available over the network.

As part of CNS, Cisco is teaming with key allies, such as KPMG Consulting,part of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, a leading professional services firm, todelivera standards-based foundation for network-enabled business and managementapplications. "KPMG Consulting is actively working with Cisco on businessapplications for new networking services technology. With CNS, we will nowhave a technology that allows us to create and deliver new business modelspredicated on profile-driven service and performance levels at a preciselydefined price and cost," said Dominick Cavuoto, KPMG Consulting's partnerin charge of Virtual Financial Services.

CNS builds on the Directory-Enabled Networks (DEN) specification, initiatedby Cisco and Microsoft Corporation, and now supported by several hundredvendors and customers. The DEN specification is slated for submission tothe Desktop Management Task Force (DMTF) later this year. Using CNS,application developers will be able to apply a common directory-enablednetwork infrastructure, creating the opportunity to deliver personalizedservices to end-users. Cisco will also be working with service providers,cable operators, enterprise customers and Independent Software Vendors(ISVs) to deliver networking solutions that build on the CNS technology andfurther promote the benefits of network-aware applications.

"This is an important step for the industry because it shows developers howthey will be able to seamlessly access the power of the network from withinbusiness applications," said Charlie Giancarlo, Cisco's vice president ofGlobal Alliances. "CNS will provide significant new opportunities forISVs, enterprise developers and service providers to build and benefit fromnetwork-aware applications."

Cisco also announced today, Cisco Networking Services for Active Directory(CNS/AD), the product component of CNS. Building upon the strategicdevelopment relationship with Microsoft, CNS/AD provides a set ofdirectory-based networking services that allow developers to network-enableapplications such as human resource systems, network management orelectronic commerce. CNS/AD integrates knowledge of network services,policies and user profiles so applications can easily interact with ActiveDirectory and access powerful Cisco IOS® software networkingfunctionality.

During the past year, Cisco has gathered extensive enterprise and serviceprovider input on a directory-based strategy that captures the flow ofevents as users and applications interact over a network. Based on thisresearch, Cisco is developing CNS/AD, which enhances Active Directory withCisco-specific schema, directory-based event services, associatedinterfaces and graphical user interface (GUI) controls and enhanced IPaddress management services. CNS/AD, combined with the new dynamic data and replication services in Active Directory, goes wellbeyond traditional directory solutions that are used for managingrelatively static data such as user name, password and file access rights.Using the capabilities of CNS/AD, when a change in an application ispropagated into the directory, this event can be used by a networkmanagement application for provisioning personalized network services.This new event-based approach allows CNS/AD developers to create powerfulassociations between disparate data from a number of applications.

"Customers are looking to simplify the management of network services andgive users personalized networks," said Jim Allchin, senior vice presidentof personal and business systems group at Microsoft. "Cisco NetworkingServices for Active Directory combines the strength of the MicrosoftWindows NT(TM) Server Active Directory with network service integration,ultimately providing our mutual customers with better network capabilitiesand the ability to differentiate product and services."

Cisco-Specific Schema

Building on work from the DEN initiative, CNS/AD includes Cisco-specificschema and information model extensions, which allow developers to easilyapply powerful Cisco IOS services through the directory via the LightweightDirectory Access Protocol (LDAP) version 3. For example, it gives policymanagement applications the ability to enforce a particularquality-of-service (QoS) across a variety of network devices. The Ciscoschema and information model provides the foundation for creating theseassociations between users, network services and Cisco devices.

High-Speed Caching

As part of Cisco's contribution to the further development of ActiveDirectory, Cisco and Microsoft are implementing services designed to storeand replicate low-latency or dynamic data such as Dynamic HostConfiguration Protocol (DHCP) leases or flow-rate information. CNS/AD alsoincludes a high-speed replication service for secure propagation of data toother directories or application systems. The benefit of this capability isthat the directory can now manage and replicate dynamic networking serviceinformation.

Directory-Based Event Services

CNS/AD uses an event-based approach to associate data from a variety ofapplications. "The directory is a central repository of network, user andapplication information. CNS/AD's event services allow integrated systemssuch as provisioning, management and billing to capture the flow ofinformation and respond to events as they occur," said Herb Madan, vicepresident and general manager of Cisco's Network and Services ManagementBusiness Unit.

CNS/AD Application Programming Interfaces

CNS/AD provides application developers with an extensive cross-platformsuite of application programming interfaces (APIs) and user interfacecontrols to enable developers to directly apply the wealth of advancednetworking services found in Cisco IOS software. Developers can leveragethese services through Active Directory Service Interface (ADSI), C++ andJava-based APIs. Now business and network management applications can beeasily network enabled. CiscoAssure Policy Networking, NetsysService-Level Management Suite and other network management applicationswill leverage CNS/AD in future releases.

"HP OpenView fully supports the development of Cisco Networking Services asa way to move network-management applications into the future," saidOlivier Helleboid, general manager of Hewlett-Packard Company's OpenViewSoftware Division. "We continually enhance our OpenView products to meetcustomers' needs. CNS/AD represents an attractive leverage point fordevelopers to help simplify their networks as we move forward."

Integrated DNS/DHCP

CNS/AD leverages the integrated DNS/DHCP services on NT and includesRFC-compliant DNS and DHCP services for UNIX. Through this integration, IPaddress management can directly leverage the power of the highly scalableand distributed services of Active Directory and provide user-to-networkassociations. A key feature of the integration will enable the CNS/AD DHCPservice to deliver IP addresses to authenticated users based on profileinformation stored within the directory. Cisco cable solutions will alsoimmediately benefit from the authentication model and granular IP-basedservices.

Availability

Beta versions of CNS/AD will be available this fall, with general availability anticipated in early 1999. CNS/AD will first be available for Microsoft's Windows NT Server, followed by Sun Microsystems' Solaris 2.6 and HP's UX 11 operating systems, and will provide seamless directory integration of users and Cisco IOS software networking services in a heterogeneous environment. A CNS partner program for developers will be announced later this year.

Cisco Systems

Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet. News and information are available at http://www.cisco.com.

Cisco, Cisco IOS, Cisco Systems and the Cisco Systems logo are registeredtrademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc. in the U.S. and certain other countries.All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of theirrespective owners.