Description
Overview of the Cisco C881-K9 4 Ports Fast Ethernet Router
The Cisco C881-K9 is part of the 880 Series, which is designed to provide high-performance routing, security, and application services to small and medium-sized businesses. It offers a compact and desktop-friendly form factor, making it suitable for various deployment scenarios. The router is equipped with 4
Fast Ethernet ports and 5 RJ-45 ports supporting 10/100Base-TX, ensuring reliable and efficient data transmission. With 128 MB of standard memory, it offers the necessary resources to handle network tasks effectively.
Form Factor and Ports
The Cisco C881-K9 belongs to the 880 Series of routers, designed to cater to small and medium-sized businesses. This router comes in a compact desktop form factor, making it suitable for office environments with limited space. Its sleek design and compact dimensions make it easy to integrate into various workspaces.
The router features four Fast Ethernet
4 ports, which provide high-speed connectivity for local area network (LAN) devices. These ports use RJ-45 connectors, making them compatible with standard Ethernet cables. The inclusion of four ports allows for the connection of multiple devices such as computers, printers, and switches, facilitating efficient data sharing and communication within the network.
In addition to the Fast Ethernet ports, the router offers five 10/100Base-TX ports. These ports are essential for establishing wired connections with external devices, such as internet service providers (ISPs) or other network equipment. These ports ensure that the router can handle incoming and outgoing data traffic efficiently, which is crucial for maintaining a stable and responsive network.
Memory and Performance
The Cisco C881-K9 router is equipped with 128 MB of standard memory (RAM). Memory is a fundamental component in a router, as it plays a crucial role in handling data packets and ensuring the device’s overall performance. With 128 MB of RAM, the router can manage data traffic effectively, preventing network congestion and slowdowns.
The router’s processing power is supported by its integrated services. It’s worth noting that the Cisco C881-K9 is designed to provide more than just basic routing functionality. It includes integrated security services, making it a versatile choice for organizations that prioritize data protection.
Integrated Services Security
The Cisco C881-K9 router is specifically recognized for its integrated services security features. Let’s explore these features in detail:
Firewall Capabilities
One of the core security elements of this router is its firewall capabilities. Firewalls act as a barrier between a trusted network (such as your business LAN) and untrusted networks (the Internet). The Cisco C881-K9 comes with a built-in firewall that helps protect your internal network from unauthorized access and potential threats.
The router’s firewall can be configured to filter incoming and outgoing traffic based on specific criteria. For example, you can set rules to allow or block traffic based on IP addresses, port numbers, or application types. This level of control ensures that your network remains secure and that only legitimate traffic is allowed through.
Virtual Private Network (VPN) Support
The Cisco C881-K9 also supports VPN functionality, which is crucial for secure remote access and site-to-site connectivity. VPNs encrypt data transmitted between two connected points, ensuring that even if the data is intercepted, it remains confidential.
With VPN support, remote employees can securely access the company’s network from anywhere, providing flexibility and productivity. Additionally, site-to-site VPNs enable secure communication between different business locations, creating a seamless and protected network infrastructure.
Intrusion Prevention System (IPS)
The router features an Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) to safeguard your network against potential threats. An IPS constantly monitors network traffic for suspicious activity and takes immediate action to block or mitigate threats.
It can detect and prevent attacks such as distributed denial of service (DDoS), malware infections, and unauthorized access attempts. This proactive approach to security helps maintain network integrity and minimizes the risk of data breaches or network downtime.
Content Filtering
Content filtering is another vital security aspect of the Cisco C881-K9 router. It allows you to control and filter web content, ensuring that employees or network users can only access appropriate and safe websites.
This feature can be configured to block websites known for hosting malicious content, restrict access to specific categories of websites (e.g., social media or gambling sites), and monitor web usage to enforce your organization’s internet usage policies.
Access Control Lists (ACLs)
Access Control Lists (ACLs) are a key tool for controlling network access and traffic routing. The Cisco C881-K9 router supports the creation of ACLs, which can be tailored to your specific needs.
ACLs define rules that determine which devices or users are allowed to access or communicate with specific network resources. By configuring ACLs, you can segment your network and maintain a tight grip on who can access sensitive data and services.
Key Benefits of Cisco C881-K9
Now that we’ve explored the technical specifications and security features of the Cisco C881-K9 router, let’s delve into the benefits it offers to businesses and organizations:
Enhanced Network Security
The integrated security features of the Cisco C881-K9 router provide robust protection for your network. With firewall capabilities, VPN support, intrusion prevention, content filtering, and access control, you can establish a multi-layered defense against various cyber threats. This not only protects your data but also safeguards your organization’s reputation.
Improved Network Performance
The router’s 128 MB of standard memory ensures efficient data processing, reducing the risk of network congestion and slow performance. The device’s hardware and software work in harmony to manage data traffic effectively, delivering a smooth and responsive network experience for users.
Versatile Connectivity
The combination of Fast Ethernet ports and 10/100Base-TX ports on the Cisco C881-K9 router ensures versatile connectivity options. Whether you need to connect computers, printers, switches, or external internet sources, this router has you covered. It offers the flexibility to expand your network and adapt to your evolving business needs.
Simplified Network Management
Cisco provides a user-friendly web-based interface for managing the router’s settings. This intuitive interface makes it easy for IT administrators to configure and monitor the device. You can efficiently set up security policies, VPN connections, and access controls without the need for extensive technical expertise.
Remote Work Support
The Cisco C881-K9 router’s VPN capabilities are especially valuable in today’s work environment. With the increasing trend of remote work, this router enables secure and seamless connectivity for employees working from different locations. It ensures that remote access is encrypted and protected, reducing the risk of data breaches.
Use Cases and Scenarios
To better understand the practical applications of the Cisco C881-K9 router, let’s explore a few use cases and scenarios where this router can shine:
Small to Medium-Sized Businesses (SMBs)
The Cisco C881-K9 is an ideal choice for small to medium-sized businesses looking for a cost-effective and secure network solution. It provides essential security features that protect sensitive data and customer information. With its compact design, it can easily fit into the limited office space often found in SMBs.
Securing Remote Access
The Cisco 880 Series Ethernet Security Routers, including the C881-K9 model, are designed to provide secure remote access to small businesses and enterprise branch offices. In order to ensure the security of remote access, there are several key features and best practices that can be implemented.
- VPN Connectivity: Virtual Private Network (VPN) connectivity is a secure method of connecting remote users to the corporate network. The Cisco 880 Series routers support various types of VPN connections including Site-to-Site VPN and Remote Access VPN. Site-to-site VPN allows multiple sites to connect securely over the internet, while Remote Access VPN allows individual users to connect securely to the corporate network from remote locations.
- Firewall Protection: The Cisco 880 Series routers include an integrated firewall that provides protection against external threats such as unauthorized access, malware, and denial of service attacks. The firewall can be configured to allow or block traffic based on various criteria such as source and destination IP addresses, port numbers, and protocol type.
- Access Control: Access control is a critical component of securing remote access. The Cisco 880 Series routers support various access control mechanisms such as access lists and user authentication. Access lists can be used to allow or deny traffic based on various criteria such as IP address, port number, and protocol type. User authentication can be implemented using various methods such as password authentication, certificate-based authentication, or multifactor authentication.
- Encryption: Encryption is an essential aspect of securing remote access. The Cisco 880 Series routers support various encryption methods including Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), Data Encryption Standard (DES), and Triple Data Encryption Standard (3DES). Encryption can be used to protect data in transit from unauthorized access.
- Network Segmentation: Network segmentation is a technique used to divide a network into smaller subnetworks. This can help to reduce the attack surface and limit the spread of malware in case of a security breach. The Cisco 880 Series routers support various network segmentation techniques such as Virtual LAN (VLAN) and Access Control Lists (ACLs).
- Regular Updates: Regular updates to the router firmware and security patches are critical to maintaining the security of remote access. The Cisco 880 Series routers come with built-in mechanisms for automatic updates and security patches.
Performance and Scalability
The C881-K9 Cisco 880 Series 4 Ports Integrated Services Router is a high-performance and scalable router that is designed to handle a wide range of networking needs. It is capable of supporting up to four integrated ports, which allows for multiple connections to different networks and devices.
In terms of performance, the C881-K9 router is equipped with a powerful processor and memory, allowing for fast data transfer and processing. It also supports advanced features such as Quality of Service (QoS) and VPN, which can help to optimize network performance and ensure smooth and efficient data transfer.
In terms of scalability, the C881-K9 router is designed to easily expand and adapt to the changing needs of a network. It supports multiple interfaces, including Gigabit Ethernet and Fast Ethernet, which can be added or removed as needed. Additionally, it can be easily configured and managed through the Cisco IOS Software, allowing for easy updates and upgrades.
General Information about this Cisco Integrated Services Router
- Manufacturer: Cisco
- Part Number or SKU# C881-K9
- Product Series: 880
- Product Type: Integrated Router
Interfaces/Ports of 4 Ports Router
- Total Number of Ports: 4
- Form Factor: Desktop
- USB: Yes
- Powerline: No
- Management Port: Yes
- Token Ring Port: No
- Serial V.35 Interface: No
- Number of Network (RJ-45) Ports: 4
- Number of Broadband (RJ-45) Ports: 1
Flash Memory for Ethernet Security Router
- Installed Size: 256 MB
- Max Supported Size: 256 MB
Networking of Services Router
- Connectivity Technology: Wired
- Data Link Protocol: Ethernet, Fast Ethernet
- Remote Management Protocol: CLI, HTTP, HTTPS, SNMP 3, SSH, Telnet
- Compliant Standards: IEEE 802.1D, IEEE 802.1Q
- Status Indicators: Port status, Power
- Network Transport Protocol: DHCP, L2TP
- Routing Protocol: GRE, HSRP, Policy-based routing (PBR), RIP-1, RIP-2, VRRP
- Integrated Switch: 4-port switch
- WAN Ports Qty: 1
Management & Protocols
- Security Features:
- IPsec
- SIP
- IOS Firewall
- Content Filtering
- IPS
- NAT-PT
- L2TP
- NAT
- ACLs
- DES
- 3DES
- 128/192/256-bit AES
- RADIUS
- TACACS+
Environmental Parameters
- Min Operating Temperature: 32 °F
- Max Operating Temperature: 104 °F
- Humidity Range Operating: 10 – 85% (non-condensing)
Memory
- Standard Memory: 128 MB
- Maximum Memory: 256 MB
- Memory Technology: DRAM
Power Description
- Input Voltage: 110 V AC
- Input Voltage: 220 V AC
- Power Source: Power Supply
Compatibility
- CISPR 22
- CISPR 24
- EN 300386
- EN 60555-2
- EN 61000-3-2
- EN 61000-3-3
- EN 61000-6-1
- EN50082-1
- EN55022 Class B
- EN55024
- FCC CFR47 Part 15
- FCC CFR47 Part 15 B
- ICES-003
- KN22
- VCCI V-3
Authentication Method
- RADIUS
- TACACS+
Encryption Algorithm
- 128-bit AES
- 192-bit AES
- 256-bit AES
- DES
- PKI
- Triple DES
In summary, the Cisco C881-K9 880 Series Integrated Services Security Router is a versatile and powerful networking device. It offers not only efficient data routing capabilities but also integrated security features that make it a valuable asset for organizations of various sizes and industries. From small businesses seeking reliable connectivity to large enterprises with multiple branch offices, this router caters to a wide range of networking needs.
By understanding its specifications, security features, benefits, and use cases, you can make an informed decision about whether the Cisco C881-K9 router is the right choice for your organization. When properly configured and maintained, this router can contribute to a secure, high-performance network environment that supports your business’s objectives and keeps your data safe. Whether it’s protecting sensitive customer information, enabling remote work, or enhancing network efficiency, the Cisco C881-K9 router is a reliable tool in the world of networking and internet connectivity.
