Cisco Systems has unveiled a new line-up of content networking
products aimed at speeding up Web switching and server load
balancing at e-commerce-driven businesses.
At NetWorld+Interop 2002 in Las Vegas, Cisco introduced its newest
high-end Layer 4-7 switch, the CSS 11500 series, as well as new
versions of its Content Switching Module (CSM) for the Catalyst
6509 switch, and new releases of its Content Transformation Engine
(CTE) 1400 for supporting VoIP. The company also released new
software for managing enterprise content delivery and datacentres.
The CSS 11503 and 11506 are three and six-slot modular Layer 4-7
switches that offer increased port density and can support more
Secure Sockets Layer sessions than previous CSS 11000 series
switches, according to the company. Version 3.1 of the CSM includes
improved management features, allowing the device to be managed as
part of a network of content switching devices, even though it
resides in a Catalyst 6509 chassis.
The Content Transformation Engine 1400, introduced last year,
converts Web pages into formats readable by non-PC clients, such as
PDAs and cellphone Web browsers. The new version now supports Web
content conversion for Cisco IP telephone display screens, allowing
Cisco phones to act as desktop thin clients with Web access. The
new CTE 1400 also includes increased support for Java Script and
XML.
For content delivery management, Cisco has released Version 4.1 of
its Application and Content Networking System (ACNS) software,
which allows IT staff to control how content is distributed over an
enterprise network with Cisco content networking devices, such as
the Content Distribution Manager. The new software now supports
RealSystem Proxy Server. Cisco also released its IP/TV 3.4
software, which can deliver television streams to desktops. The
system has been scaled up to support 10,000 users.
The Hosting Solution Engine (HSE) 1400 1.4 is the latest version of
Cisco's management platform for datacentres. The appliance allows
administrators from the server and network side of an IT
organisation to monitor CSS 11000, 11500 and Catalyst CSM products
and configure services such as load balancing or run reports on
content network performance.