Event
Summary
In May Cisco Systems, Inc. introduced a new high performance device targeted
for mid-sized companies with 250-1000 employees to its LAN switching product
line. This Catalyst switch is based on Cisco's Architecture for Voice,
Video, and Integrated Data (AVVID) technology.
The
new Catalyst 3524-PWR-XL is best described as a "Complete Network in a
Box". This device is leveraging Cisco's AVVID Technology and giving mid-sized
companies the flexibility to deploy Voice- over-IP, Video, and Data Applications
within a single device. This device also includes an inline power module
to go along with the state of the art technology.
Along
with the addition of the Catalyst 3524-PWR-XL, Cisco has updated the IOS
for the 3500 and 2900 series of switches to include a more robust Quality
of Service (QoS), integrated management capabilities and security. This
enhanced QoS will provide LAN Edge Class of Service (CoS) based on IEEE
802.1p. This will give mid-sized customers the ability to set the priority
of the data that traverses the network.
Market
Impact
The Cisco Catalyst 3524-PWR-XL provides mid-sized companies a single medium
that will let them build their entire infrastructure around this device.
Furthermore, by leveraging the technology built into the device, these
companies will be able to set-up cost efficient telephone networks and
Policy Based data networks.
How?
The Catalyst 3524-PWR-XL is designed to ensure the highest degree of network
uptime and reliability. This device has incorporated an integrated in-line
power system, which is capable of automatically detecting the type of
IP connection to each port on the device. This automatic detection allows
for IP-based telephones to be powered with 48 volts DC with standard category
5 cabling. This in-line power system will also allow for all telephone
connections to remain intact if building power is lost.
User
Recommendations
The Cisco Catalyst 3524-PWR-XL (available today) is the most complete
network device to date. This option packed device is the beginning of
the totally converged IP-network for mid-sized companies. With the combination
of this feature rich Catalyst switch, and Cisco's new IP Phones introduced
last month, Cisco can currently provide an excellent combination of equipment
to form the core of a converged network for mid-sized companies.
Having
the proper equipment is one thing as networks converge, but Cisco has
also upgraded the IOS in the Catalyst 3524 to include port-based classification.
Port-based classification will allow for traffic to be prioritized based
on criticality of the data. An example of this would be to give application
traffic and voice traffic a higher priority than web browsing. This is
an extremely important function as converged networks move forward.