Advantages: Very Cheap, with lots of features Disadvantages: Will help with CCNA, but may stuggle with CCNP
I bought one of these routers off ebay to help with my upcoming (Cisco) CCNA exam.
These are by no means cutting edge routers, and are obsolete now as they only support 10Mbps via their AUI (lan) port and support a limited amount of protocols.
The router itself has one AUI port, which when used with a transceiver can connect to either another router or a switch (at 10Mbps); 2 serial ports which can be configured with a routing protocol such as frame relay to connect to another switch or ISP data terminal equipment, a console port to configure the router itself, and an AUX port for modem connection.
Though well past it's sell by date, the switch is perfect to get to grips with Ciscos IOS (internetwork Operating System) and set up simple routed networks in conjuction with other routers and switches.
One thing to be aware of when buying ...
Advantages: Fast, Secure and Efficient Internet Connection Disadvantages: High level of Technical Expertise needed to setup more advanced features
The Cisco 800 Series Routers provide a solution for high speed, secure and above all reliable Internet connection. The 857 model is specifically designed for connecting small office / home office (Soho) networks to the Internet via ADSL (asymmetric digital subscriber line) or "Broadband" technologies. For those of you who know little of Broadband (ADSL), it is a new technology that allows more data to be sent over existing copper telephone lines at higher download rates.
Typically home users connect to the Internet via a Modem, often supplied by there internet service provider. However, this solution of internet connectivity is far from ideal in a mission critical environment. If you don't know what a router is, it is unlikely you need one. However, if you wish to connect to the internet in a fast and secure manner a router is the only ...
Advantages: ease of use, strong, durable, linking into GAL, remote managment and upgrades from call manager. Disadvantages: Call quality is dependant on quality of the Network. Duplex settings, over utilized network, etc
In my experience with the Cisco IP phone 7941, which has been for 5 years or so, has been nothing but pleasure. There features to link into AD and the ability to log onto any phone in the building and look up a user on the GAL on AD is very handy indeed. Call Transfer,Conference, Mute are the standard features.
The Phones will have to be set up to work with a call manager, Which is a centre point to manage the phones, and has the ability to record conversation for quality control, etc.
They have 2 options when it comes to powering these phones, on is to buy a power adapter, the other is to buy a Cisco Switch that can supply power to the phones via Ethernet.
They are strong and reliable, they have been used as call centre phones, and we know what kind of abuse they would be put through in that environment.
All in all, i would rate ...
The Cisco 2600 series is an award-winning family of modular multi-service access routers, providing flexible LAN and WAN configurations, multiple security options, voice/data integration, and a range of high performance processors. This range of features make the Cisco 2600 family the ideal branch-office router for today's and tomorrow's customer requirements. The latest additions to the Cisco 2600 Series family of Modular Routers include the Cisco 2600XM models and the Cisco 2691. These new models deliver extended performance, higher density, enhanced security performance and increased concurrent application support to meet the growing demands of branch offices. The highest performing router in the Cisco 2600 family that extends the density of emerging branch office applications, the Cisco 2691 offers almost twice the performance of the Cisco 2650XM platform while leveraging the same modules from other Cisco 2600, Cisco 3600 and Cisco 3700 Series routers. Driven by the need to push increased numbers of applications from Enterprise headquarters to the remote office, this platform provides a higher level of performance for a broadened range of concurrent remote office applications, including unparalleled voice/data integration, Virtual Private Network (VPN) performance, increased bandwidth to support voice and video applications, and the delivery of Web-based applications. Compared to the Cisco 2600XM models, the new Cisco 2691 is designed to offer a higher degree of versatility, providing greater throughput for higher density WAN applications, support for high speed interfaces and increased performance to handle new services.
