What is Cisco Chassis, Backplane, and Line Card?

Chassis, You Know Here:
A Chassis is a frame/housing for mounting the circuit components for refurbished cisco equipment Switches and Routers or any type of devices that provides power and a high-speed backplane. The frame also protects all of the vital internal equipment from dust, moisture, and tampering.

Making the Chassis to define even easier is;
A chassis is an enclosure; a container that holds things together... i.e. an egg carton holds eggs together inside. A chassis does the same thing; it holds the important things inside like wiring, power supplies etc.


General info of Backplane
Backplane is a circuit board with sockets that allows Supervisor engines Cards or modules to be inserted into these sockets and connect them to each other. Backplane is mounted on the Chassis.

Modules or line cards provide different types of interfaces, but the processing of packets is usually done in the Supervisor engine. cisco refurbished Backplane is the medium for data flow between modules and Supervisor engines.

Additionally, most high-end switches off-load processing away from the supervisors, allowing line cards to switch traffic directly between ports on the same card without using any processing power or even touching the backplane. Naturally, this can't be done for all traffic, but basic layer-2 switching can usually be handled exclusively by the line card, and in many cases also more complex operations can be handled as well.

What is Line Card?
The line cards provide interfaces to the network.


A line card can terminate a line supporting voice POTS service, ISDN service, DSL service, or proprietary ones. Some line cards are capable of terminating more than one type of service.
Since an access buy network hardware element is usually intended to interface many users (typically a few thousands) some exchanges have multiple line terminations per card. Similarly, it is common to have many line cards in the same network element.

A line card or Digital Line Card is a modular electronic circuit on a printed circuit board, the electronic circuits on the card interfacing the telecommunication lines coming from the subscribers (such as copper wire or optical fibers) to the rest of the telecommunications access network.

A line card commonly interfaces the twisted pair cable of a POTS local loop to the public switched telephone network (PSTN). Telephone line cards used in PSTN perform multiple tasks such as analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog conversion of voice, off-hook detection, ring supervision, line integrity tests, and other BORSCHT functions. In some telephone exchange designs the line used cisco cards generate ringing current and decode DTMF signals. The line card in a Subscriber Loop Carrier is commonly called a Subscriber Line Interface Card (SLIC).

Cisco ASA 5500 Series, Best Guard for Business’ Security

AS hacker or virus attack spreading faster and faster, the network safety faced into a serious situation. You knowthis problem may bring some very terrible consequences such as destroying the operation of business, revealing very important or core information. What should we deal with these? The answer is to select a Cisco Firewall Security, for example, Cisco ASA 5500 series, especially asa5505 50 bun k9, which can help businesses increase effectiveness and efficiency in protecting their networks and applications while delivering exceptional investment protection throughmarket-proven security capabilities, extensible integrated services architecture, reduced deployment and operations costs and comprehensive management interfaces.

The Cisco ASA 5500 Series includes the Cisco ASA 5505, 5510, asa 5520 csc10 k9, 5540, 5550, 5580, and 5585-X Adaptive Security Appliances-purpose-built, high-performance security solutions that take advantage of Cisco's expertise in developing industry-leading, award-winning security and VPN solutions.

Through the Cisco MPF, the Cisco ASA 5500 Series brings a new level of security and policy control to applications and networks.

Let’s check one of Cisco ASA 5500 Series: Cisco ASA 5540-BUN-K9, better choice for your business’ network.

Product Details
Device Type	Security appliance
Enclosure Type	Rack-mountable - 1U
Dimensions (WxDxH)	44.5 cm x 33.5 cm x 4.4 cm
Weight	9.1 kg
RAM Installed ( Max )	1 GB
Flash Memory Installed (Max)	64 MB Flash
Data Link Protocol	Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet
Network / Transport Protocol	IPSec
Performance	Firewall throughput : 650 Mbps ¦ VPN throughput : 325 Mbps ¦ Connection rate : 25000 connections per second
Capacity	Concurrent sessions : 400000 ¦ IPSec VPN peers : 5000 ¦ SSL VPN peers : 2 ¦ Virtual interfaces (VLANs) : 200
Features	Firewall protection, VPN support, load balancing, VLAN support, High Availability
Power	AC 120/230 V ( 50/60 Hz )

The Cisco ASA 5540 Adaptive Security Appliance scales with businesses as their network security requirements grow, delivering exceptional investment protection and services scalability. The advanced network and application layer security services and anti-x defenses provided by the asa5520 csc10 k9 Adaptive Security Appliance can be extended by deploying a high performance Security Services Module. (more details you can see Cisco ASA 5500 Series at Cisco.com)

Purchasing info…

Manufacturer: Cisco

Part Code: ASA5540-BUN-K9

Features: Firewall protection, VPN support, load balancing, VLAN support, High Availability

Data Link Protocol: Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet

Device Type: Security appliance

Enclosure Type: Rack-mountable - 1U

List price:  US$16,995.00

Wholesale Price: US$7,648.00

You Save:  US$9,347.00 (55.00% OFF)

Tel: +852-3174-6166 (Hong Kong)

Fax: +852-3050-1066 (Hong Kong)

MSN: cisco@router-switch.com.

Email: cisco@router-switch.com (Sales Inquiries)/ webmaster@router-switch.com (Technical Inquiries)

Tips: Cisco embeds network firewall security throughout the network and integrates security services in all its products. cisco asa 5510 k9 As a result, network firewall security becomes a transparent, scalable, and manageable aspect of the business infrastructure.

Instructionsto Maximize Bandwidth in Cisco Routers

The Cisco Corporation makes wireless routers that connect to the Internet and then send RF signals to devices such as laptops or smart phones. The bandwidth of the router is the measurement of how much data is actually received by the satellite devices. The bandwidth of the Cisco router IOS can be increased by upgrading the antenna, positioning the router in a specific location or making sure all the wireless equipment is from Cisco, and not a third party company.

Things You'll Use
•    Cisco router
•    Cisco uni-directional antenna
•    Cisco wireless card

Howto Maximize Bandwidth in Cisco Routers?
1. Replace the antenna on the Cisco wireless router from the factory standard omnidirectional antenna to a unidirectional antenna. Firmly grip the existing antenna at the base and twist counter-clockwise until the antenna disconnects. Place the base of the new antenna at the connection point of the router and twist clockwise.

2. Angle the oscillating tip of the antenna towards the device that is using the internet, or the room in which the device is primarily used. Turn off the cisco router configuration and then restart it ten seconds later. Wait for device to start receiving new signal.

3. Reposition the Cisco router in an environment where many devices in multiple areas need access. Keep the router as high up in the room as possible, on a high shelf or cabinet. Keep the router away from obstructions, and never inside a drawer or enclosure, to ensure the signal is being transmitted as powerfully as possible.

4. Use only Cisco wireless cards (external and internal) in the devices being used for Internet access. Replace the card in the computers to any Cisco brand products, as the Cisco equipment is built to work together.

MORE NOTES: 10 Tips to Increase the Range of Your Wireless Network
1. Upgrade routers and wireless network adapters to (interim) 802.11n. Ever since January 2004, when the IEEE announced that it had formed a task group to develop a new flavor of the 802.11 standard for wireless local-area networks - 802.11n - customers have been demanding to buy the new hardware. Why? Even though the standard is not due for final approval until July 2007, it promises to deliver far greater range and throughput -- up to 50 times greater than b-standard, and 10 times greater than the a- or g-standard. Of course all interim n implementations are backward-compatible with some or all of the current flavors of 802.11 -- but if you introduce an a-, b- or g-standard client into an n-standard network, your hot new n-standard router will slow down. So upgrade wireless adapters and routers at the same time.

2. Move the router off the floor and keep it as far as possible from walls and metal objects. As we mentioned earlier, metal, walls and floors wreak havoc with your router's wireless signal. The more of these obstacles your router needs to punch through to reach your notebook, the worse the interference, and the slower your connection will be.

3. Place your router (or access point) in a central location in the office.If your wireless router is at one end of the office (or your home), the signal will have farther to go to reach the other end. Using a central spot splits the difference.

4. Upgrade your router's antenna. Most routers come with an omni-directional antenna --meaning that it broadcasts and receives in all directions with equal efficiency. If you don't know where your receiving notebooks will be, or if they are indeed scattered in a random 360-degree pattern, omni-directional is fine. However, if (as is most often the case) your router is near an outside wall, with most of the network computers in a 180-degree pattern in one direction only (that is, toward the opposite outside wall), you are wasting half of the router's signal. If you upgrade to a hi-gain directional antenna that focuses the wireless signals in only one direction, you can maximize the efficiency of the system by aiming the signal in the direction you need it.

5. Upgrade the antenna for your notebook’s wireless network adapter. Wireless network signals must be received and sent reliably by your remote computer. Sometimes, even if your router is broadcasting effectively, your computer can't send a strong signal back. Most notebook wireless adapters use an omni-directional antenna. You can improve reception considerably by replacing your laptop's PC card-based wireless network adapter with a high-gain, low-cost, range-boosting adapter with an external antenna.

6. Check your wireless channel, and change it if necessary. Wireless routers use one of 11 possible channels to broadcast. If another wireless network nearby happens to be broadcasting on the same channel your router is using, both networks will experience severe loss of range and power. You can use the wireless software on your notebook to find out how many wireless networks are active in the area, and which channels each is using. If you discover that another network is using the same channel as your router, log into the router via your browser and use its built-in configuration screen to select an unused channel. Chances are your signal strength will improve significantly. (You don't need to adjust your notebook; it's designed to automatically detect the network's new channel.)

7. Invest in a wireless repeater, ortwo. Wireless repeaters (or access points) extend your wireless network's range with no need to install additional wiring. Just buy one or more wireless APs, place them roughly halfway between your previous wireless access point and your computer,cisco router command and power them on. Voila! You now have an instant boost to your wireless signal strength. There are many affordable wireless repeaters on the market; all the major vendors make them. If you buy one like Apple's Airport you can even use it to stream wireless music to your stereo at the same time you're extending your wireless range.

8. Update your router's firmware and your network adapter's drivers. Hardware vendors are always upgrading and improving their wireless equipment to increase range and performance -- and most of those upgrades are free. Check for new firmware updates at your router manufacturer's Web site, as well as the site of your wireless adapter card. Microsoft also updates the drivers that Windows uses to communicate with your network adapter. To get those updates, visit Microsoft Update and click "Hardware, Optional."

9. Reduce wireless interference. Cordless phones, microwave ovens, and other wireless electronics in your home or office can interfere with your wireless network. To improve reception, look for cordless phones and other electronics that use the 5.8 GHz or 900 MHz frequencies. They won't interfere.

10. Use equipment from a single vendor. While every router will work pretty well with every network adapter (assuming their respective flavors of 802.11 are compatible), you will often get better performance if you match a router and network adapter from the same vendor. cisco router sale Some vendors like Linksys offer a boost of up to twice the performance when you use their hardware exclusively.

Cisco Wireless, Access to Information and Resources in Wireless Networks

Cisco wireless solutions ensure that your business is able to react to the constant demands of the fast moving global economy. And the Cisco Unified Wireless Network helps enable the Borderless Mobility Experience with a broad portfolio of products that provide anywhere, anytime access to information with the same quality of experience provided by a wired network.

For every Cisco fans, they are familiar with all the Cisco wireless products, such as Access Point, Client Adapters and Client Software, Antennas, Wireless LAN Controller, Wireless Integrated Switches and Routers, Wireless LAN Management, Outdoor Wireless, Mobile Wireless, Service Control for Mobile Networks, Wireless IP Telephony, etc. 

Firstly, let’s get some questions that were asked by people who used Cisco wireless products

“I need drivers, and help on how to set up a Cisco Wireless price Adapter? I have a Cisco Aironet 802.11a/b/g Wireless CardBus Adapter that I am unsure on how to set up. I can't find drivers for it on the cisco website, or anywhere on the web. If anyone could link me to the drivers and tell me how to set it up that would be great!”

“How do I enable the wireless in a Cisco Aironet access point? This is 1200 series Cisco systems AP which is shipped with the wireless disabled, I have only laptop at my disposal. I have tried to communicate with it using it's supplied ethernet cable but either my laptop does not see it or it does not respond. I have the small hand book that comes with it so I do know all the default settings.”

“Where can I get coupons for Linksys by Cisco Wireless-N Broadband Router? Where can I find a discount online for Linksys by Cisco Wireless-N Broadband Router?”

…

No matter what used Cisco wireless products you have, many people will be confused with how to use it. So we can learn some basic features of Cisco wireless items to help you know it well.

Take Cisco Wireless Access Point as a typical example, Cisco Aironet access points and bridges connect wireless devices to networks, providing ubiquitous network access for indoor and outdoor environments. Cisco's next-generation wireless solutions offer comprehensive wireless coverage with up to nine times the throughput of 802.11a/b/g networks. Cisco enterprise wireless mesh helps enable cost-effective, scalable deployment of highly secure indoor and outdoor wireless LANs.

Overview on some popular Cisco wireless Products

Cisco Aironet 1250 Series Wireless Access Points built on a robust modular platform designed for easy field upgrades, facilitating support of a variety of wireless capabilities

including data rates of 300Mbps per radio while providing reliable and predictable WLAN coverage.

Cisco Aironet 1140 Series Draft N Access Points give six times the performance of 802.11a/g networks for reliable connections to Wi-Fi voice, streaming video, and business applications. Cisco Aironet 1140 Series indoor access points have a sleek design that blends into enterprise environments, and they can be powered with standard 802.3af Power over Ethernet.

Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers(Standalone and Modules), simplify the deployment andoperation of wireless networks, ensuring smooth performance, enhanced security, and maximum network availability. Cisco wireless LAN controllers communicate with Cisco Aironet access points over any Layer 2 or Layer 3 infrastructure and support 802.11a/b/g and the IEEE 802.11n draft 2.0 standard.

Notes: More info such as price, purchasing info, feature details and specs of Cisco wireless products you can visit router-switch.com---Cisco Wireless, or go to Cisco’s official site see more wireless solutions and services.

Inside Cisco's Stand-Out Approach To Partner-Friendly Services Programs

While Cisco (NSDQ:CSCO)'s ongoing corporate restructuring has put many of its investment priorities on the back burner, one area to which the networking titan is devoting serious time and resources is in the growth of its services organization, particularly the professional services programs it offers through channel partners.
To hear its services team team tell it, the reason for doing so is clear-cut. Cisco wants to put some distance between Cisco's services programs -- already some of the most highly regarded among tier-one channel vendors -- and those of competing vendors like Hewlett Packard and IBM whom Cisco says don't offer nearly the rewards or potential for partner profitability that Cisco does.
Services now account for more than 50 percent of Cisco partner revenues -- a substantial jump from roughly 10 percent as recently as four years ago. That kind of growth means Cisco services has to be a global channel priority, Nick Earle, senior vice president of worldwide services sales and channels, said. He added that Cisco's strategy around "smart services" is the most partner-friendly in the industry.
Earle was promoted to the role as part of a number of Cisco executive changes this summer, and he serves as the field chief for all of Cisco's global services organizations, with the various Cisco services sales leaders in each of Cisco's sales geographies now reporting to him. Cisco Chief Operating Officer Gary Moore, Earle's manager, retains P&L responsibility for the services business, which is about a $10 billion contributor to Cisco's more than $43 billion revenue pie.
Earle's charter is to make clearer how Cisco expects services field engagements to take place, to offer partners more access to Cisco intellectual capital as they build their professional services organizations, and to leverage development and also acquisitions Cisco's made to automate the delivery of services using software.
The last point is huge, said Earle, who said that buy Cisco has reached a point now where 93 percent of all the services support calls it receives can be handled using software. And that isn't merely automated call center responses, he said, it's the potential to diagnose network problems -- such as a needed upgrade to a later version of Cisco's IOS software -- remotely.
"The moment you have this capability with software, the first benefit is your margins go up, but the second benefit is you can take those software capabilities to your partners," Earle said. "Everything that we have in smart services we make available through partners. They're accessing our capital and they wrap their own unique value around that, whether that's multivendor support, or Microsoft (NSDQ:MSFT) capabilities."
More services also enable more product sales. wholesale Cisco claims that partners who sell Cisco's Smart Care service -- a network maintenance and monitoring package for SMBs -- end up selling more hardware than partners who don't.
"If a customer's network is more stable and everything's working, they'll buy advanced capabilities and put them on top, such as video," he said. "Partners that are smart services-enabled are selling more hardware. That's a fact."

Cisco 2960 Switch, New Features Available

The WS-C2960S-48LPD-L is their entry level datacenter access layer switch.  Many people expected some minor hardware improvements, but nothing drastic.  Cisco proved them wrong.   With this refresh came a ton on new features and upgrades that have been brought down from Cisco higher end switches.  Here is a list of some of the bigger increases from the older 2960 line:

Stack Support

The new feature allows you to stack up to 4 2960S WS-C2960S-24PS-L switches to act as one big layer 2 switch (192 ports).  This provides easier management, redundancy, and most of all, a cheaper option when needing to go beyond 48 ports.  In the past, this would require some crazy daisy chaining of switches, or lots of trunks, or even a chassis based switch which would cost lots of money.  Here, when you fill up your current switch, you purchase another switch, and stack them together to get 1 bigger switch.  This is very popular in the 3750 series, which have allowed stacking for some time.

10gigE Support

The WS-C2960S-48LPS-L now has a couple models that support 10gigE interfaces (2 per switch).  This is a great option if you have some bandwidth needed devices on the switch (i.e. a SAN of some sort).  Cisco has a couple of different types, depending on your need.  It’s a great low cost 10gigE option for those who need limited 10gigE support.

Increased Bandwidth

The Cisco 2960 has an upgraded backplane which is now 176Gbps rather than 32Gbps for the old line. This allows for more switching fabric available.

Increased Packet per Second Count

Compared to the older model most models now have a 10x improvement on packets per second.

Those are just a few of the new features available on the refreshed 2960S switch line.  These switches are ideal for clients who have high bandwidth needs, with large port usage needs.  Indeed, the Cisco WS-C2960S-48FPS-L Line is a great product at a great price!

Guide to Assign Multiple IP Addresses on a Cisco 1841 SDM

The Cisco Device Manager, or "SDM," is designed to provide a graphical user interface configuration method as an alternative to the classic Cisco "CLI" (Command Line Interface). The SDM can be used to configure several IP addresses to a cisco 1841 hvsec by following a simple procedure.

How to Assign Multiple IP Addresses on a Cisco 1841 SDM?

A.Click the "Start" button in Windows. Click "All Programs," then click the "Cisco Systems" program group. Click the "Cisco SDM" icon in order to start the SDM software.

B.Type the IP address of the cisco 1841 ram router into the "Enter the Address" box in the "SMD Launcher" window and then click the "Launch" button. The SDM main window will appear.

C.Click the "Configure" icon at the top of the SDM window, and then click "Interfaces and Connections." Click "Edit Interface Connection" tab and click on an Interface from the list displayed and click the "Edit" icon that is above the list of interfaces.

D.Click the "Connection" tab in the "Interface Feature Edit Dialog" window. Click the "IP Address" drop-down box and select "Static IP address" in the drop-down menu.

E.Type the IP address for the particular interface into the "IP address" box and type the subnet mask for the interface into the routter cisco 1841 "Subnet mask" box. Click the "OK" button to save the setting.

F.Repeat the IP address assignment procedure for each interface to which you wish to assign an IP address.