4/15/2008 -- Cisco Systems Inc. this week announced the Cisco 880 and 860 Series ISRs, a pair of new fixed configuration routers which consolidate its Unified Wireless and IEEE 802.11n WLAN technologies in small form factor packages designed for small branch offices or SOHO workers.

Additionally, certain models of Cisco's 880 Series ISR are also be outfitted with an integrated 3G wireless WAN interface, while Cisco offers modules that introduce support for managed services -- like voice and SIP trunking support.

The new ISR routers comprise important releases for Cisco, industry watchers say.

"[T]hese new fixed routers really help in rounding out the entire ISR line and provide models with flexible features such as Cisco Unified Wireless, 802.11n, and 3G wireless WAN capabilities," said Steven Schuchart, a principal analyst for enterprise network systems with Current Analysis. "This allows customers to deploy the Cisco 880 and 860 Series ISRs in the smallest of remote offices, for teleworkers, or in areas requiring temporary connectivity."

Cisco's newest ISR deliverables help round out its fixed-configuration line in terms of functionality, Schuchart noted.

"These models are certainly not central to the ISR product line, but part of the larger strategy," he said.

More to the point, Schuchart explained, Cisco's newest ISR deliverables give customers more options.

"[T]he 3G features of the Cisco 880 ISR represent an interesting option for any number of organizations, including retail verticals, emergency management, and standard small branch offices," he said. "The 3G option allows companies to provide data access in areas where temporary access is necessary or when a backup to land-based connectivity is needed, such as in the case of credit card authorization in c-stores."

They're also illustrative of Cisco's signature value-add: breadth and depth.

"As a product family, Cisco's ISR offering shows one of Cisco's strengths: broad offerings that can satisfy virtually any customer need," he said. "The Cisco 880 ISR and 860 ISR series are nice additions to the ISR family that fulfill needs on the lower end of the market." --Stephen Swoyer