Cisco Systems Inc. debuted new devices at its Cisco Partners Summit for small office customers and ‘Empowered Branch’ office-type customers, including two low-cost Integrated Services Routers that will work with 802.11n wireless networks.  The two new models are the Cisco 880 and 860 ISRs, start at $449 and are expected to start shipping in June. These are the first fixed-configuration routers to provide integrated lightweight access points supporting Cisco Unified Wireless and IEEE 802.11n wireless local-area network (LAN) technology, 3G wireless WAN support for improved high availability, and specialized support for managed services.

Another announcement from Cisco involved hardware to support third-party virtualization applications in branch offices. This is available through the new Cisco Wide Area Applications Services WAE-674, with pricing starting at $16,000. The WAE-674 takes advantage of unique "virtual blade" technology to host third-party applications, beginning with Microsoft Windows Server 2008 apps Cisco also announced three Linux-based Advanced Integration Modules for its Integrated Services Routers. The modules start at $1,795 and are shipping now. All are designed as part of the Application eXtension Platform for application development, and a single module can support multiple applications concurrently.

Cisco also introduced enhancements to Cisco Unified Border Element and integrated management of voice, security and data services with new Cisco Configuration Professional Management Software. These enhancements include a set of Cisco IOS Software features that provide advanced Session Border Controller functionality for the Cisco ISR with support for SIP profiles, SIP video, and interconnect enhancements for device interoperability. Cisco also introduced its Configuration Professional Management Software, a tool that enables the integrated management of voice, security and data services on Cisco routers.

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