Description
Product Information for the Cisco CISCO861W-GN-A-K9 4 Ports Wireless Router
In the rapidly evolving landscape of networking technology, the Cisco 861W-GN-A-K9 stands out as a reliable and efficient solution for businesses and individuals seeking a robust integrated wireless router. One such device that stands out in the market is the CISCO861W-GN-A-K9, a Cisco 4 Ports Integrated Wireless Router. In this comprehensive review, we will delve into the various features, specifications, and benefits that make this Cisco router a noteworthy choice in the market.
Overview of Cisco 861W-GN-A-K9
The Cisco 861W-GN-A-K9 is a part of Cisco’s 800 Series Integrated Services Routers (ISR). Designed to meet the diverse needs of small to medium-sized businesses, this router combines the functionality of a router, switch, and wireless access point in a single device. The integration of these key components simplifies network management and enhances overall performance.
Key Features
- Integrated Wireless Connectivity: One of the standout features of the Cisco 861W-GN-A-K9 is its built-in wireless capabilities. The router supports IEEE 802.11n wireless standards, providing high-speed and reliable wireless connectivity for a range of devices. This is particularly beneficial for businesses and home offices where wireless access is essential for productivity.
- Four Ethernet Ports: Equipped with four integrated Ethernet ports, this router ensures seamless wired connectivity for devices such as computers, printers, and IP cameras. The availability of multiple ports enhances flexibility in network configuration, allowing users to establish wired connections where needed.
- Security Protocols: Security is a top priority in today’s digital landscape, and the Cisco 861W-GN-A-K9 addresses this concern through a variety of robust security features. It supports advanced encryption protocols such as WPA2 for secure wireless communication and features like firewall protection to safeguard the network against unauthorized access and cyber threats.
- Quality of Service (QoS): The router incorporates Quality of Service mechanisms, allowing users to prioritize network traffic based on specific applications or services. This ensures that critical applications receive the necessary bandwidth, resulting in a more efficient and responsive network.
- Advanced Routing Capabilities: As part of Cisco’s ISR family, the 861W-GN-A-K9 boasts advanced routing capabilities. It supports various routing protocols, including Routing Information Protocol (RIP), Open Shortest Path First (OSPF), and Border Gateway Protocol (BGP), enabling users to customize and optimize their network routing according to specific requirements.
Detailed Analysis
- Wireless Connectivity: The integrated wireless functionality of the Cisco 861W-GN-A-K9 is a key selling point for users seeking a versatile networking solution. Supporting the IEEE 802.11n standard, the router delivers high-speed wireless connectivity with enhanced range and reliability. This is particularly beneficial in environments where wired connections are impractical or where the flexibility of wireless access is crucial.
- Ethernet Ports for Wired Connections: In addition to its wireless capabilities, the router features four Ethernet ports, providing options for wired connections. These Gigabit Ethernet ports ensure fast and stable data transfer for devices that require a wired connection. The ability to connect multiple devices via Ethernet adds to the overall flexibility of the router, making it suitable for a variety of networking scenarios.
- Security Features: Security is a paramount concern in networking, and the Cisco 861W-GN-A-K9 is designed with this in mind. The router supports multiple security protocols, including WPA2 for wireless encryption, safeguarding against unauthorized access to the network. Additionally, the inclusion of firewall capabilities adds an extra layer of protection, helping prevent cyber threats and ensuring the integrity of the network.
- Quality of Service (QoS) Implementation: Quality of Service is a critical aspect of network management, especially in environments where different applications compete for bandwidth. The Cisco 861W-GN-A-K9 addresses this with its QoS capabilities, allowing users to prioritize traffic based on specific criteria. This ensures that essential applications, such as voice or video conferencing, receive the necessary resources, resulting in an optimized and responsive network.
- Advanced Routing Protocols: As part of the Cisco ISR family, the 861W-GN-A-K9 comes equipped with advanced routing capabilities. This includes support for popular routing protocols such as RIP, OSPF, and BGP. These protocols enable users to customize the routing behavior of the network, accommodating various network architectures and requirements. Whether it’s a small office or a complex enterprise network, the router’s routing capabilities contribute to efficient data transmission.
Use Cases
Understanding the practical applications of the Cisco 861W-GN-A-K9 is essential for potential users. The router’s versatility makes it suitable for a range of use cases:
- Small to Medium-sized Businesses (SMBs): For SMBs with moderate networking needs, the Cisco 861W-GN-A-K9 offers an integrated solution. Its wireless capabilities cater to the growing trend of mobile and remote work, while the Ethernet ports provide options for wired connections. The security features make it an ideal choice for protecting sensitive business data.
- Home Offices: Individuals working from home can benefit from the router’s ease of use and integrated wireless capabilities. The router provides a reliable and secure network for home-based professionals, supporting both wired and wireless devices.
- Retail Environments: In retail settings where customer-facing Wi-Fi is crucial, the Cisco 861W-GN-A-K9 serves as a reliable access point. Its multiple Ethernet ports also allow for the connection of point-of-sale systems, ensuring seamless operations.
- Branch Offices: For businesses with multiple locations, the router’s advanced routing capabilities are particularly valuable. It can be deployed in branch offices to establish secure connections with the main network while providing local wireless and wired access.
Wireless Security Features
The CISCO861W-GN-A-K9 Cisco 861W Wireless Integrated Services Router includes several advanced wireless security features to help protect your network from unauthorized access.
- Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) and WPA2: These are industry-standard encryption protocols that provide robust security for wireless communications. They use Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) and Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP) to encrypt wireless data, making it difficult for unauthorized users to intercept or read the data.
- Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS): This feature allows for easy and secure setup of wireless security settings, such as WPA or WPA2 encryption. It allows users to connect to a wireless network using a simple push-button method, without having to manually enter the security key.
- MAC address filtering: This feature allows you to specify which devices are allowed to connect to your wireless network based on their MAC addresses. This helps prevent unauthorized devices from connecting to your network.
- Disable SSID broadcast: This feature allows you to hide the SSID of your wireless network, making it more difficult for unauthorized users to detect and connect to your network.
- Virtual Private Network (VPN) support: The router supports VPN technology, which allows you to securely connect remote users and devices to your network. This feature is particularly useful for teleworkers or traveling employees who need to access the company network from remote locations.
- Cisco Wireless Control System (WCS): This feature allows for central management of wireless networks, including monitoring, reporting, and troubleshooting. It provides a comprehensive view of wireless network health and performance, enabling network administrators to quickly identify and resolve issues.
- Cisco Wireless Location Appliance (WLA): This feature allows for location tracking of wireless devices connected to the network. This can be useful for various use cases such as tracking the location of employees or assets and monitoring compliance with safety protocols.
- Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE): This feature allows for identity-based access control of wireless users. It provides authentication, authorization, and accounting of wireless users based on user identity, network access policies, and security posture.
All these features combine to provide a robust and secure wireless network environment for the CISCO861W-GN-A-K9 router.
High Reliability and Scalability
The CISCO861W-GN-A-K9 Cisco 861W Wireless Integrated Services Router is designed for high reliability and scalability, making it an ideal solution for small to medium-sized businesses.
- High Availability: The router is designed to provide high availability, which means it can continue to operate even if one of its components fails. This is achieved through the use of redundant power supplies and the ability to configure failover between multiple WAN connections.
- Scalability: The router supports a wide range of connectivity options, including Ethernet, serial, and wireless, making it easy to scale your network as your business grows. It also supports multiple VLANs, allowing you to segment your network into smaller, more manageable subnets.
- Quality of Service (QoS): The router supports Quality of Service (QoS) which allows you to prioritize different types of network traffic, such as voice and video, to ensure that they are delivered with the highest possible quality.
- Performance: The router is equipped with powerful hardware, including a fast processor and memory, which ensures that it can handle high traffic loads and support a large number of users.
- Software Upgrade: The router supports software upgrades, allowing you to easily update the router’s firmware to take advantage of new features and security updates.
- Network Management: The router is manageable through Cisco Network Assistant (CNA) and Cisco Configuration Professional (CCP) which provides a simple and intuitive interface for configuring and managing the router.
General Information about this Cisco CISCO861W-GN-A-K9
- Manufacturer: Cisco
- Part Number or SKU# CISCO861W-GN-A-K9
- Product Series: 860
- Product Model: 861W
- Product Name: 861W Wireless Integrated Services Router
- Product Type: Wireless Router
Technical Specifications for Router + 4-port Switch
- Product Type: Integrated Router + 4-port switch
- Default DRAM: 256 MB
- Maximum DRAM: 256 MB
- Default Flash Memory: 128 MB
- Maximum Flash Memory: 128 MB
- Console/Auxiliary Port: RJ-45
- External Power Supply: Universal 100 to 240 VAC
- WAN Interface: 10/100 Mbps Fast Ethernet
- LAN Interfaces: 4-port 10/100 FE managed switch
- 802.11g/n Option: Yes
Power Details
- AC Input Voltage: 100 to 240 VAC
- Frequency: 50 to 60 Hz
- Maximum Output Power: 60W
- Output Voltages: 12V DC
Environmental Operating Range
- Nonoperating Temperature: -4 to 149°F (-20 to 65°C)
- Nonoperating Humidity: 5 to 95 percent relative humidity (non-condensing)
- Nonoperating Altitude: 0 to 15,000 ft (0 to 4570m)
- Operating Temperature: 32 to 104°F (0 to 40°C)
- Operating Humidity: 10 to 85%, relative humidity (non-condensing)
- Operating Altitude: 0 to 10,000 ft (0 to 3000m)
Outline, the Cisco 861W-GN-A-K9 Cisco 4 Ports Integrated Wireless Router emerges as a versatile and feature-rich networking solution. Its integration of wireless capabilities, Ethernet ports, security features, Quality of Service, and advanced routing make it a suitable choice for a variety of scenarios, from small businesses to home offices and beyond. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, having a reliable and adaptable router like the Cisco 861W-GN-A-K9 becomes increasingly essential for maintaining efficient and secure connectivity.
