This post was written by Katie Bumper
There’s no denying the impressive functionality of Cisco’s Business Communications Solution, which neatly delivers a small business PBX on the back of a Cisco router. Call quality is excellent, with a good choice of codecs — although, as with any VoIP solution, the quality of the supporting network and any WAN links will play a role here. There’s support for H.323 and SIP trunking for PSTN connectivity via hosted service providers and to enable larger companies to link satellite offices running BCS to a central PBX.
Cisco’s Aironet 1200 Series is a pricey yet impressive wireless access point—a slam dunk for businesses that already use Cisco gear. Because of its strong performance, robust security, and a host of management options, it earns good rating. While the 1200 Series is a rock-solid product, you need to invest in WLSE to take full advantage of its feature set. Large businesses with no budget constraints won’t have a problem paying for this solution. Finally, the overall rating is an aggregate based on analysis by PC Magazine Labs staff and reviewers.
Cisco Aironet 802.11a/b/g Wireless PCI Adapter received thumbs up from its various users. The product features good signal strength and latency is low. But some customers faced troubles while installing Cisco Aironet 802.11a/b/g Wireless PCI Adapter on windows xp 64 bit due to lack of driver support. Many customers have also appreciated the support system of Cisco. This Wireless PCI Adapter works successfully for years. All in all, Cisco Aironet 802.11a/b/g Wireless PCI Adapter is good and very stable product.
The integrated services routing architecture of the Cisco 1800 Series offers features that provide the complete functionality and flexibility to deliver secure Internet and intranet access. All models within the series have built-in security, cisco Router and Security Device Manager (SDM) for simplified management, up to two 10/100 Mbps built-in routed ports and support for wireless local-area network (LAN) standards 02.11a/b/g. The Cisco 1841 router has smart features secure, fast, and high-quality delivery of multiple, concurrent services for small-to-medium-sized businesses and small enterprise branch offices
The 10/100-Mbps fast Ethernet models of the Cisco 881 Integrated Services Routers combine Internet access, security and wireless services onto a single, secure device. This router offers broadband speeds and simplified management to small businesses, and enterprise small branch and teleworkers. The Cisco 880 Series provides firewall, content filtering, vpns, and wlans, at broadband speeds to small offices, easy deployment and centralized management features. It features Survivable Remote Site Telephony for teleworker and small branch voice. Other options include WAN connection with multiple access options. Overall the product is excellent with a good price.
Cisco’s Wireless LAN Controllers work in conjunction with Cisco lightweight access points and the Cisco Wireless Control System (WCS) to provide system wide wireless LAN functions. As components of the Cisco Unified Wireless Network, Cisco 2100 Series Wireless LAN Controllers and the Cisco 2106 Wireless LAN Controller present network administrators with the visibility and control necessary to effectively and securely manage business-class WLANs. To maximize the performance of Cisco hardware, Cisco strongly recommends Cisco SMARTnet Support. SMARTnet provides technical support, access to essential information and advanced hardware replacement.
Cisco will launch its first products developed specially for small businesses in January. The new products are for video surveillance, data storage and wireless office communications. Cisco said to reach small and medium businesses (SMBs), the company will embark on a campaign focusing on business capabilities and the benefits of complete solutions rather than on products and technologies. The six-month integrated campaign called “One Voice” comes on the back of Cisco’s recent announcement of a US$100 million investment in its global small business initiative.