Cisco Systems has announced the VPN module for the Cisco 1700 Series Access Routers. This announcement furthers Cisco`s strategy of enabling New World services for the Internet Economy.
The Cisco 1700 platform has been designed to support voice over data networks, broadband and security for small and medium businesses and small branch offices, and helps small/medium businesses (SMBs) and small branch office customers mitigate security risks by deploying encryption and data authentication standards.
The module performs encryption and other IPsec related tasks in hardware, resulting not only in T1/E1 wire-speed VPN performance, but also freeing up the Cisco 1700 main processor and memory to perform other router, voice and firewall functions.
The module fits into expansion slots in the Cisco 1720 and 1750 router chassis. It encrypts data using DES and 3DES algorithms at speeds suitable for full duplex T1/E1 serial connections. Combined with the Cisco 1700 Series platform, the module enables as many as 100 encrypted tunnels for concurrent sessions with mobile users and other sites. The module`s functionality offers premium security while maintaining the performance of application traffic.
In addition to encryption, the module supports a variety of other IPsec-related tasks including hashing, key exchange and storage of security associations. By combining multiple security techniques, companies can minimise the risk of network penetration or data interception. The Cisco 1700 Series Access Routers offer firewall protection, preventing network penetration; certificate management, ensuring that the devices the network communicates with are the intended recipients or disseminators of information; and VPN functionality, protecting data integrity.
In addition to reducing operational costs, VPNs enable smaller businesses to deploy sophisticated remote access services. By reducing the need for leased lines, deployment of VPNs can reduce costs by as much as half when compared to the use of Frame Relay.
"Cisco believes that growing companies should not have to compromise network security,`` says Joseph Ammirato, director of marketing, Remote Internetworking Business Unit at Cisco Systems. ``With the introduction of the VPN Module for the 1700 Series Access Routers Cisco is furthering its efforts to make enterprise-quality security available to small offices. By delivering this level of security to SMBs and small branch offices, Cisco is helping these companies take full advantage of the cost savings achieved by using the Internet.``
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