Description
Product Overview for the Cisco CISCO2951/K9 3 Ports Services Router
In the realm of networking solutions, the Cisco 2951 Gigabit Ethernet 3 Ports Router Integrated Services (CISCO2951/K9) stands out as a robust and versatile option. This router is a part of Cisco’s Integrated Services Router (ISR) series, designed to meet the evolving demands of modern networks. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the key features, specifications, and applications of the Cisco 2951 router.
Key Features
- Gigabit Ethernet Connectivity: The Cisco 2951 router is equipped with Gigabit Ethernet technology, providing high-speed connectivity for data transfer within a network. With three dedicated Gigabit Ethernet ports, it offers a reliable and efficient solution for handling large volumes of data.
- Integrated Services: As part of the Integrated Services Router series, the Cisco 2951 is not merely a router but a multifunctional device that integrates various networking services into a single platform. This includes routing, security, voice, video, and wireless capabilities, making it a comprehensive solution for diverse networking needs.
- Scalability and Performance: The router is built to scale with the growing needs of businesses and networks. It features a modular architecture that supports additional modules, allowing users to expand and customize the router’s capabilities based on specific requirements. The high-performance architecture ensures smooth operation even in demanding network environments.
- Security Features: Security is a top priority in networking, and the Cisco 2951 router addresses this with a range of built-in security features. These include firewall capabilities, VPN support, intrusion prevention, and encryption protocols. The router’s robust security measures help safeguard sensitive data and protect against cyber threats.
- Quality of Service (QoS): The Cisco 2951 router prioritizes and manages network traffic efficiently through its QoS capabilities. This ensures that critical applications receive the necessary bandwidth and resources, resulting in optimal performance for voice, video, and other latency-sensitive applications.
Applications and Use Cases
The Cisco 2951 router finds application in various scenarios due to its versatile feature set. Here are some common use cases:
- Enterprise Networking: In large enterprises, the Cisco 2951 router serves as a core networking device, facilitating communication between different departments and ensuring high-speed data transfer. Its scalability allows it to adapt to the evolving needs of a growing enterprise.
- Branch Office Connectivity: For organizations with multiple branch offices, the router provides a reliable solution for interconnecting offices. With its integrated security features, it ensures a secure connection between branches, allowing for seamless collaboration and data exchange.
- Voice and Video Conferencing: The router’s QoS capabilities make it suitable for handling voice and video traffic. This is crucial for organizations relying on VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) communication and video conferencing, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted experience for users.
- Remote Access and VPN Services: With built-in VPN support, the Cisco 2951 router enables secure remote access to the corporate network. This is particularly valuable for employees working remotely or accessing company resources from external locations.
- Data Center Connectivity: The router’s high throughput and performance make it an ideal choice for connecting to data center networks. It can efficiently handle the transfer of large datasets and support the networking needs of data-intensive applications.
Network Segmentation and Access Control
Network segmentation and access control are important security measures that can be used to protect a network from unauthorized access and attacks. The CISCO2951/K9 Cisco 2951 Integrated Services Router includes several features that can be used to implement network segmentation and access control:
- VLANs (Virtual LANs): VLANs can be used to segment a network into smaller, logical networks. Each VLAN is a separate broadcast domain, which means that devices on one VLAN cannot communicate directly with devices on another VLAN. This can be used to create separate networks for different departments or types of users, such as a separate VLAN for guest users.
- Access Control Lists (ACLs): ACLs can be used to control access to a network by specifying which devices or users are allowed to communicate with other devices or users. For example, an ACL can be used to block all traffic from a specific IP address or range of addresses. This can be used to prevent unauthorized access or to control access to sensitive network resources.
- Router-Based Firewall: CISCO2951/K9 comes with a stateful firewall that is built-in in the router, which can be used to control access to a network by specifying which types of traffic are allowed through the router and which are blocked. This can be used to prevent unauthorized access, block unwanted traffic, or control access to sensitive network resources.
- VPN (Virtual Private Network) support: CISCO2951/K9 also supports VPN connections, which can be used to provide secure, encrypted connections to remote users or devices. This can be used to allow remote users to access the network securely, even over the public internet.
- Network Address Translation (NAT): NAT can be used to hide the internal IP addresses of a network from the outside world. This can be used to protect the internal network from unauthorized access or to allow multiple internal devices to share a single public IP address.
VPN (Virtual Private Network) Configuration
VPN (Virtual Private Network) Configuration of CISCO2951/K9 Cisco 2951 Integrated Services Router with 3 ports involves configuring the router’s interfaces, IP address information, access control lists (ACLs), VPN settings, routing information, and testing the VPN connection.
- Interface and IP address configuration: This step involves configuring the interfaces for the LAN and WAN connections and assigning IP addresses to those interfaces.
- Access Control Lists (ACLs) configuration: This step is to control access to the VPN by setting up rules to allow or deny traffic based on IP address or other criteria.
- VPN settings configuration: This step involves configuring the encryption protocols, VPN tunnel, and authentication methods to be used. Some popular encryption protocols used in VPN are IPSec, L2TP, and others. Authentication methods can be pre-shared keys or digital certificates.
- Routing information configuration: This step involves setting up static or dynamic routing protocols, such as OSPF or BGP, to properly route VPN traffic.
- Testing the VPN connection: Once all the configurations have been made, you should test the VPN connection to ensure that it is working properly.
General Information about this Cisco CISCO2951/K9
- Manufacturer: Cisco
- Model Number or SKU# CISCO2951/K9
- Product Series: 2900
- Product Model: 2951
- Product Type: Integrated Services Router
Interfaces/Ports of Router
- Total Number of Ports: 3
- USB: Yes
- Management Port: Yes
- Number of Broadband (RJ-45) Ports: 3
I/O Expansions of 3 Ports Router
- Number of Total Expansion Slots: 13
- Expansion Slot Type: SFP (mini-GBIC)
- Expansion Slot Type: HWIC
- Expansion Slot Type: PVDM
Network and Communication for Ethernet Router
- Network Technology: 10/100/1000Base-T
- Ethernet Technology: Gigabit Ethernet
Memory
- Standard Memory: 512 MB
- Maximum Memory: 2 GB
- Memory Technology: DRAM
- Flash Memory: 256 MB
- Memory Card Supported: CompactFlash (CF) Card
Power
- Power Device: Internal power supply
- Voltage Required: AC 120/230 V (50/60 Hz)
Management and Protocols
- Management Protocol
Data Link Protocol: Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit
Ethernet -
Network / Transport Protocol: IPSec, L2TPv3
Routing Protocol: OSPF, IS-IS, BGP, EIGRP, DVMRP, PIM-SM,
static IP routing, IGMPv3, GRE, PIM-SSM, static IPv4 routing, static IPv6
routing, policy-based routing (PBR), MPLS, Bidirectional Forwarding Detection
(BFD), IPv4-to-IPv6 Multicast - Remote Management Protocol: SNMP, RMON, TR-069
Features
- Firewall protection, VPN support, MPLS support, Syslog support, IPv6 support,
- Class-Based Weighted Fair Queuing (CBWFQ), Weighted Random Early Detection (WRED),
- Web Services Management Agent (WSMA), NetFlow
Compliant Standards
- IEEE 802.3, IEEE 802.1Q, IEEE 802.3af, IEEE 802.3ah, IEEE 802.1ah, IEEE 802.1ag, ANSI T1.101, ITU-T G.823,
- ITU-T G.824, CISPR 22 Class A, CISPR 24, EN55024, EN55022 Class A, EN50082-1, AS/NZS 60950-1, ICES-003 Class A,
- CS-03, R& TTE, FCC CFR47 Part 15, UL 60950-1, IEC 60950-1, EN 60950-1, BSMI CNS 13438, AS/NZS 3548 Class A,
- VCCI V-3, EN 61000, TIA/EIA/IS-968, EN 300 386, CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 60950-1
Environmental Parameters
- Min Operating Temperature: 32 °F
- Max Operating Temperature: 104 °F
- Humidity Range Operating: 5 – 85%
In short, the Cisco 2951 Gigabit Ethernet 3 Ports Router Integrated Services (CISCO2951/K9) stands as a reliable and feature-rich solution for diverse networking needs. Its combination of Gigabit Ethernet connectivity, integrated services, scalability, and security features make it a versatile choice for enterprises, branch offices, and data center environments. Whether facilitating high-speed data transfer, supporting voice and video communication, or ensuring secure remote access, the Cisco 2951 router delivers performance and functionality in a compact and robust form factor. With proper installation, configuration, and maintenance, users can harness the full potential of this advanced networking device.
