The Cisco Router 800 Series is a family of compact and cost-effective routers designed for small businesses, home offices, and small branch deployments. These routers offer essential networking capabilities in a compact form factor, making them suitable for environments with limited space and budget. In this overview, we will focus on the hardware specifics of the Cisco Router 800 Series, highlighting its key features and components.
Processor:
The routers in the Cisco 800 Series are equipped with embedded processors optimized for efficient routing and network operations. The exact processor specifications may vary across the models within the series, but they typically provide adequate processing power to handle basic networking tasks and services required for small-scale deployments.
Memory:
The Cisco 800 Series routers come with onboard memory that varies across the models. The memory configuration typically includes both system memory (RAM) and flash memory. The system memory ranges from 256 MB to 1 GB, allowing for smooth operation and handling of concurrent tasks. The flash memory capacity ranges from 256 MB to 4 GB, providing storage for the router's operating system, configuration files, and other essential software components.
Interfaces:
The routers in the Cisco 800 Series offer a variety of interface options to support connectivity to different network devices and services. These interfaces may include Fast Ethernet ports, Gigabit Ethernet ports, ADSL/VDSL ports for broadband connectivity, USB ports for device connectivity, and serial ports for console access or connecting to external modems. The number and type of interfaces available depend on the specific model within the series.
WAN Connectivity:
The Cisco 800 Series routers are designed to support a range of wide area network (WAN) connectivity options suitable for small-scale deployments. They provide built-in interfaces for WAN connectivity, such as ADSL/VDSL ports for broadband internet connections or Ethernet WAN ports for connecting to Ethernet-based services. This allows small businesses and home offices to easily establish connectivity with their internet service provider.
Security Features:
Security is a critical aspect of network infrastructure, even in small-scale deployments. The Cisco 800 Series routers include essential security features to help protect the network and its data. These routers support features such as built-in firewalls, VPN (Virtual Private Network) capabilities for secure remote access, and intrusion prevention systems (IPS) to detect and prevent network threats.
Voice and Video Support:
Some models within the Cisco 800 Series routers offer voice and video capabilities, making them suitable for small-scale unified communication deployments. These routers support IP telephony features, including voice call processing and basic voice services. However, it's important to note that not all models within the series may include voice and video support.
Management and Monitoring:
The Cisco 800 Series routers provide options for management and monitoring of the network. They can be managed through Cisco's network management software, such as Cisco Prime Infrastructure. Additionally, these routers support a command-line interface (CLI) for configuration and monitoring, as well as web-based graphical user interfaces (GUI) for easier management and troubleshooting.
Form Factor:
One of the notable features of the Cisco 800 Series routers is their compact form factor. These routers are designed to be small and lightweight, making them ideal for environments with limited space or for deployments where portability is a requirement. This compact design allows for easy installation and flexibility in positioning the routers within the network environment.
In summary, the Cisco Router 800 Series provides compact and cost-effective hardware solutions for small businesses, home offices, and small branch deployments. With their essential networking capabilities, including WAN connectivity options, security features, and management capabilities, these routers offer reliable and efficient connectivity for small-scale networks while keeping affordability and simplicity in mind.