Cisco Multifunction Platform Delivers Universal Access; Cisco 3600 Series Gains Flexibility with Integrated Digital Modems.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 29, 1997--Cisco Systems, Inc. today expanded the flexibility of its 3600 series with the integration of digital modems. The multifunction Cisco 3600 series enables enterprise branch offices to consolidate applications, save money and begin building extranets to improve internal and external business communications.

The Cisco 3600 series is a highly flexible solution targeted toward enterprise branch office environments and small Internet service providers that require high-performance, high-density connectivity for a wide variety of current and emerging applications that include universal dial access and multiprotocol LAN-to-LAN routing. With the integration of Modem ISDN Channel Aggregation (MICA(TM)) technologies, the Cisco 3640 can now aggregate as many as 60 analog modem calls and ISDN B channels over a single dial-in telephone number.

"The Cisco 3600 series delivers the flexibility and performance required to drive all of our internal and external networking applications in a single platform," says Jim Williams, President of NTRnet Systems, Inc., a full service Internet service provider based in North Carolina . "With the addition of digital modems, this multifunction platform now supports all of our remote users dialing in with a single unified solution backed by the power, security and advanced features of Cisco IOS(TM) software."

Acquisition Technology Integration

Like the recently announced Cisco AS5300 universal access server, the Cisco 3600 series uses advanced MICA technologies acquired from Telebit Corp. As with the Cisco AS5300, the Cisco 3600 series will support native R2 signaling, the dominant signaling method used for channelized E1 networks that are common outside of the U.S.

New digital modem network modules work in conjunction with existing single or dual Primary Rate Interface (PRI) network modules to support up to 30 remote modem users per network module. Two network modules support up to 60 concurrent sessions in a single Cisco 3640 chassis. With the addition of integrated digital modems, the modular Cisco 3600 series now supports all current forms of dial network access, including multiple ISDN Basic Rate Interfaces (BRIs) and high-density asynchronous/synchronous interfaces.

Digital Modem Network Modules

The following new network modules will be available for the Cisco 3640, the NM-6DM, NM-12DM, NM-18DM, NM-24DM and NM-30DM, with 6, 12, 18, 24 and 30 modems preinstalled, respectively. Additional digital modems can be easily installed on site with six modem MICA-6MOD upgrade cards, providing scalable flexibility as remote users are added. Managed modem software licenses are available in six modem increments. Managed Modem Technology License (MMTL) capabilities enable sophisticated central-site modem management that includes real-time call-in-progress statistics, monitoring modem activity log, modem hard/soft busy out, and the ability to remotely upgrade modem firmware.

The new digital modems support all current V.34 modem technologies plus the Rockwell/Lucent K56Flex protocol. Software upgrades will support the industry 56K standard when it becomes available.

"Over the past year, the Cisco 3600 series has evolved into the 'Swiss army knife' of remote access solutions. With support for universal dial access and high-density Ethernet, Fast Ethernet and token ring LAN-to-LAN routing, the Cisco 3600 series will continue to be an ideal platform for new technologies as they come to market," said Ian Pennell, director of marketing of the Network-to-User Business Unit in Cisco's Service Provider Line of Business. "There are hundreds of hardware and software configuration options to choose from, each meeting specific multifunction application requirements emerging in the enterprise branch office extranet."

The Cisco IOS Advantage

The Cisco 3600 series supports advanced Cisco IOS software features that enable enterprise branch office network administrators to securely scale their solutions as user and application requirements grow. Features such as Multichassis Multilink PPP (MMP), the Cisco Stack Group Bidding Protocol (SGBP) and Layer 2 Forwarding (L2F) enable the stacking of Cisco 3600 series access servers jointly with Cisco AS5300s to aggregate thousands of incoming calls over a single dial-in telephone number. Cisco IOS software maximizes dial bandwidth through features such as bandwidth on demand and protocol spoofing that significantly reduce line usage and the costs associated with a remote access solution.

Other value-add software features include the ability to assign individual modems with dial-out capabilities, comprehensive debugging tools, and broad network management capabilities via CiscoWorks 4.0. Secure access concerns are addressed with full support for TACACS+, Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol/Password Authentication Protocol (CHAP/PAP), and 56-bit Data Encryption Standard (DES) software-based encryption.

Pricing and Availability

The NM-6DM, NM-12DM, NM-18DM, NM-24DM and NM-30DM will be generally available in October 1997 at U.S. list prices of $2,200, $3,700, $5,300, $6,900, and $8,600 respectively. The MICA-6MOD six modem upgrade cards will be generally available in October 1997 at a U.S. list price of $1,700. The MICA-MMTL software license will also be generally available in October 1997 at a U.S. list price of $600 per 6 modems. All network modules will be available through authorized Cisco resellers.

About Cisco Systems

Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet. News and information are available at http://www.cisco.com . -0-

NOTE TO EDITORS: Cisco IOS and MICA are trademarks, and Cisco, Cisco Systems, and the Cisco Systems logo are registered trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc. in the U.S. and certain other countries. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners.

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