Cisco 1003 ISDN Router

Overview

Cisco is introducing the first Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) router in the Cisco 1000 series of inexpensive, easy-to-install and manage, multiprotocol access products. The new Cisco 1003 ISDN router connects small, remote sites with Ethernet local-area networks (LANs) to wide-area networks (WANs) using ISDN at speeds up to 128 kbps; with 4:1 data compression, raw throughput speeds of 512 kbps are possible. The Cisco 1003 has a built-in ISDN Basic Rate Interface (BRI) port, a 10BaseT Ethernet port, a console port, and an external Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) slot for a Flash ROM card. This "plug-and-play" product is designed to be installed easily by non-technical personnel at remote sites. The Cisco 1003 ISDN router extends Cisco's range of ISDN scalable solutions to small, remote sites.

The Cisco 1003 supports two software feature sets, based on the acclaimed Cisco Internetwork Operating System(tm) (Cisco IOS). One set includes IP routing and transparent bridging; the other contains IP, IPX, and AppleTalk routing plus transparent bridging. Both software sets support Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP), compression, dial-on-demand routing (DDR), and a host of other powerful features for optimizing WAN bandwidth and costs.

The new Cisco 1003 ISDN router, along with the newly announced Cisco 1020 asychronous router, broadens the range of WAN options supported by the Cisco 1000 series. Last September Cisco announced the Cisco 1001 and the Cisco 1002 LAN Extenders, which connect small Ethernet LANs at remote sites to Cisco host routers at central sites, using leased lines running at up to T1/E1 speeds (2.048 Mbps). The exciting Cisco 1000 series makes connecting small remote sites easier and more affordable than ever and enhances Cisco's commitment to the access market.

Features at a Glance

The Cisco 1003 includes support for:

One Ethernet 10BaseT port with RJ-45 connector
One ISDN BRI port with RJ-45 connector
One console port with RJ-45 connector
One external PCMCIA slot for Flash ROM card
Optional Flash ROM card stores bootable software image and allows software updates over the WAN or LAN connections
LAN-to-LAN dial-on-demand routing (DDR) over ISDN lines
IP, IPX, and AppleTalk routing
IPX spoofing
PPP compression and Bandwidth on demand with load balancing for throughput up to 512 kbps
Standards-based Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP), HDLC and LAPB
Increased security with Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol (CHAP), Password Authentication Protocol (PAP), packet filters, and Calling Line Identification (CLI)/ANI, where available
Network management via Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) and Telnet and through the console port

Reduces Total Cost of Ownership

The Cisco 1003 router decreases the total cost of ownership in several ways:

Deployment costs are reduced, because Cisco 1003 routers are easily installed at the remote sites by nontechnical personnel, eliminating the need to send technical personnel to these sites.
Support costs are reduced, because configuration and management can be performed at a central site, where technical expertise typically resides. Initial configuration files can be stored on Flash ROM cards and sent to remote sites. Software upgrades and configuration modifications can be downloaded over the WAN.
WAN costs are reduced, because the Cisco 1003 supports Cisco's bandwidth optimization features such as DDR, bandwidth-on-demand (BOD), PPP compression, snapshot routing, IPX spoofing, and access control lists. Priority and custom queuing ensure that delay-sensitive data gets the priority it deserves.
Equipment costs are reduced because the Cisco 1003 router has fixed hardware configuration and an integrated BRI port and supports inexpensive unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) wiring for Ethernet.

Ease of Installation

The Cisco 1003 is designed to be a plug-and-play device. Router software and a configuration file can be stored on an optional Flash ROM card; this card can be programmed at a central location and then sent to a remote site. At the remote site, a nontechnical person need only insert a preconfigured Flash ROM card into an externally accessible slot and connect the LAN cable, the WAN cable, and the power supply cable. (If the Flash ROM card is not preconfigured, some local configuration will be required.) Once powered up, the Cisco 1003 is ready to communicate with the WAN. New software and configuration files can be downloaded over the WAN to the router's memory and optionally stored in Flash.

Eight easy-to-read LED status indicators on the front of the Cisco 1003 provide information about the status of the two ISDN B channels (transmit activity, receive activity, error status), the LAN connection (transmit activity, receive activity, link status, collisions), and the device itself (power on, system OK) to assist in troubleshooting any problems that might arise.

Dial-on-Demand Multiprotocol Remote Access

The software feature sets available for the Cisco 1003 ISDN router support routing of IP, IPX, and AppleTalk protocols and bridging of other protocols, such as DECnet, VINES, and XNS. Routing protocols supported include IP-RIP, E-IGRP, IPX-RIP, and (AppleTalk) RTMP.

The industry standard Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) with PPP Compression is used to communicate across the ISDN WAN link.

Bandwidth Optimization

The Cisco 1003 software is based on the Cisco IOS, which supports a number of bandwidth optimization features. DDR makes a dial-up WAN connection only when significiant data needs to be communicated; at other times, the connection is down, saving WAN charges. BOD enables the Cisco 1003 to aggregate the two ISDN B channels and, using PPP compression, to support WAN speeds up to 512 kbps. Snapshot routing and IPX spoofing keep state information for routers and servers on both sides of the WAN connection; this means the WAN link is not brought up excessively to exchange routing tables and server broadcasts if no changes or significant activity have occurred.

Priority and Custom Queuing

Cisco routers support priority and custom queuing, which ensure that delay-sensitive data receives the priority it deserves. Priority queuing allows network traffic to be directed by protocol type into four priority queues. Custom queuing allows the WAN bandwidth to be be allocated to various protocols in percentages. Both of these Cisco features allow important or time-sensitive traffic to receive the required priority.

Centralized Administration

Like all Cisco routers, the Cisco 1003 can be managed through an attached console, a Telnet session, or SNMP using SNMP network management tools. This centralized management capability eliminates the need for network management expertise at the remote sites.

Also, if a Cisco 1003 is unable to boot from its Flash ROM card or from a local boot server, a Flash ROM card containing new software can be express-shipped to the remote site.

Applications

Remote Points of Presence

With the Cisco 1003, corporations can easily extend their networks to remote sites. As shown in Figure 1, remote offices connect, on demand, via ISDN to a router at a local district office, which in turn connects to the core network over a higher speed synchronous line. One example is retail stores that connect to the home office to upload end-of-the-day sales figures, or to download new pricing or promotional information to the stores' local servers. All this can be achieved transparently as a client/server application.

Figure 1.

Remote Office Dial-on-Demand Internetworking

The Cisco 1003 allows remote offices to easily and inexpensively connect to their headquarters, other remote offices, and supplier and customer sites. As shown in Figure 2, remote offices connect, on demand, via ISDN to a router at a corporate site. For example, an independent insurance agent's office can connect inexpensively to an insurance company's network to get quotes and file claims. Another example is a supplier's office that might connect to a retail chain to provide product and pricing information. These remote offices also can connect to other remote offices to exchange email or other information. Connections are made transparently, with a single ISDN line being shared among multiple computers, thus reducing overall WAN costs.

Figure 2: Remote Office Dial-on-Demand Internetworking

Internet Access

The Cisco 1003 offers customers an easy and cost- effective solution for Internet access. The IP routing funtionality allows transparent access to the Internet, for applications such as email, file transfers, or browsing the Internet.

Telecommuting

The Cisco 1003 provides people who work from their homes with transparent access to the resources available on their companies' internetworks. The IP, IPX, and AppleTalk routing funtionality supports the three dominant LAN protocols found in personal computers. DDR ensures that the WAN link is only used when required, thus reducing WAN costs.

Cisco 1003 Features and Benefits

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEATURE                COMMENT/DESCRIPTION              BENEFIT
=============================================================================
Multiprotocol          * Supports IP, IPX, AppleTalk    * High applications

routing and bridging     routing, and transparent         availability
                         bridging of other protocols
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Plug-and-play"        * Just plug in the LAN cable,    * Reduces deployment
installation with        the WAN cable, and the power     costs
preconfigured Flash      cable at the remote site
ROM cards
                       * No need to send technical
                         support person to remote

                         site to install device
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flash ROM PCMCIA       * Software and configuration     * Reduces deployment
card (optional)          file can be preconfigured        and administrative
                         and/or downloaded over the WAN   costs
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Centralized            * SNMP-manageable using          * Reduces

administration           CiscoWorks                       administrative
                                                          costs
                       * Manageable through Telnet

                       * Leverages Cisco customers'
                         knowledge/skills
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cisco IOS bandwidth    * DDR, BOD, Snapshot, access    * Reduces WAN costs
optimization features    control lists, IPX spoofing,

                         etc.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eight easy-to-read     * Allows quick diagnostics      * Reduces
LED status indicators    and troubleshooting             administrative
                                                         costs
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Integrated ISDN Basic  * Industry-standard WAN         * Provides flexibility
Rate Interface           WAN connector; external ISDN

                         terminal adapter not required * Reduces costs
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Integrated 10BaseT     * Low-cost, industry-standard   * Reduces costs
Ethernet                 wiring
                                                       * Provides flexibility
                       * Connects to 10BaseT hub or
                         directly to PC's Ethernet
                         port (with cross-over cable)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Small:                 * Fits on a desk, under a       * Takes up little
1.75 x 8 x 8.3 in        phone, or can be mounted to     physical space
(4.5 x 20.3 x 21 cm)     a wall, table, or other flat
                         surface
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Software Features Chart

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

CATEGORY        PROTOCOL/FEATURE                             FEATURE SET
                                                             ----------------
                                                             IP     IP/IPX/AT
=============================================================================
LAN             IP, Bridging                                 *          *
                IPX, AppleTalk Phases 1 and 2                           *
                NetBIOS Access Control Lists, Name Caching              *

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
WAN             ISDN BRI                                     *          *
                PPP, PPP Compression                         *          *
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
IP Routing      RIP, Enhanced IGRP, GRE                      *          *
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Routing   IPX-RIP, (AppleTalk) RTMP                               *

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Management      SNMP, Telnet                                 *          *
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Security        PAP, CHAP, CLI/ANI (where available)         *          *
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Technical Specifications

Dimensions

1.75 x 8 x 8.3 in
4.5 x 20.3 x 21 cm

Weight

2 lb (.9 kg)

Power Requirements

100 to 240 VAC 50-60Hz
25 Watts max (135.5 Btu/hour)

Environmental Ranges

Operating temperature: 32 deg. F to 104 deg. (0 deg. to 40 deg. C)
Operating humidity: 10% to 90% noncondensing

CPU

Motorola 68360

Memory

4 MB DRAM (Image runs in DRAM)
2 MB Flash ROM card (optional)

Network Interfaces

Ethernet: RJ-45 (10BaseT)
ISDN BRI: RJ-45

Approvals

Available online on CIO
- CIO Main Menu: PRODUCT INFO
- CIO Submenu: Product Approval Status by Country

Availability

The Cisco 1003 is currently orderable. The product will ship to North America and most of Europe in May 1995. Shipments to the rest of the world will occur by July 1995.

Posted: Apr 7 11:45:59 1995