Innovation Insights on Our Global Search for Innovative Technology Solutions

Overcoming Borders and Improving the Network

A few weeks ago Cisco launched the ISR G2 and introduced the concept of “Borderless Networks.” Borderless Networks summarizes an architecture, or better yet – an implementation of the network that allows you to work the way you want anytime, anywhere, using any device, to connect to any resource.  A Borderless Branch, for instance, would allow remote offices and workers to connect to the network without having to think about it, knowing all their transactions are secure and expecting a quality experience every time they connect. 

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Posted by Jennifer McAdams at 01:10PM PST

IPv6 – That Network is Mine

When it comes to the network, I’m a selfish guy.  I want to use my computer and phone anytime, from anywhere, and with anyone.  I want it all and when it is convenient for me.  I honestly don’t feel too bad about this selfish streak since everyone I know wants the same things from the network.  Most people don’t care about problems that result from sharing the network – they just want unlimited and uninterrupted access.  

To meet this need, the Internet, public services and many corporate networks are moving to IPv6, a newer version of basic IP protocol.  Why is there such a need to change when the existing standard, IPv4, is still running our networks just fine?  Well, quite frankly, the world is running out of IPv4 addresses. Current fixes to share IPv4 addresses among users and devices cause performance, scalability and reliability problems as new devices and new video, voice, and collaborative applications become pervasive. 

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Posted by Alain Fiocco at 12:36PM PST

Two Problems - One Easy, One Hard

In my never-ending quest to keep up with the latest technology news, I have been reading about the Cisco SmartGrid effort.  SmartGrid is really – well – smart, because it attacks the problem of the world’s rapidly declining supply of fossil fuels from two different directions. It looks not only at the consumption of energy (that’s you and me, folks), but at the efficiencies that can be found in the production and transmission of energy as well.

Now, there is a hidden technical problem in the SmartGrid. Luckily, it is one that is easily solved. Have you spotted it?

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Posted by Jennifer Geisler at 08:49AM PST

Why Network People Worry About the Future

I worry about the future.  Newspapers carry stories about a tough economy, rough job market, and a future that is difficult.  Things are changing and change creates worry.

Abner Germanow, a technology analyst at IDC, is worried about the future of the network.  He writes about change in the network and the worries we need to address to build networks that are ready for the future.  His ideas are captured in a free white paper called “Demonstrating the Value of a Foundation Network”.

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Posted by Jennifer McAdams at 03:42PM PST

Thinking about your network costs when your business is changing fast.

There’s a lot of pressure out there in the networking world.  IT budgets are being scrutinized at a time when business requirements are changing very, very fast.   Sometimes in this recession, the scrutiny feels like it’s coming from a previously friendly finance guy with a hatchet that’s telling you to buy the cheapest equipment possible, from any vendor you can find.  Although it’s uncomfortable to defend your IT budget, it can be even more uncomfortable to explain network downtime or congestion to upper management.

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Posted by Jennifer McAdams at 12:29PM PST

Cisco Borderless Networks and the ISR G2 launch - The Industry Reacts to the Foot Soliders

Earlier this week we unveiled a new architecture called Borderless Networks and our very first proof-point - the second generation of the Cisco Integrated Services Router – the ISR G2. 

The response has been overwhelmingly positive.  In addition to our customers and channel partners, several analysts and members of the media have supported this direction and the ISR G2, and there is a “feel good” factor about the announcement.  David Gartner of the Information Week called the ISRs as the foot soliders of Networking. I thought that was a great analogy.

Yesterday, there was a note from Wedbrush Morgan giving Cisco an upgrade for this launch referring to the ISR G2 and the ASR 1000 series, including the new ASR 1002-Fixed platform, while stating “we view the ISR to be the anchor product of Cisco’s enterprise networking business and the single largest margin contributor in the company. The first generation ISR was introduced about five years ago, so the ISR G2 represents one of the largest installed base upgrade opportunities the industry has seen”.

This launch was picked up by the media in different geographies. With over 7 million ISRs deployed worldwide, and many pre-ISR routers still powering branch offices, yes, it does represent a significant installed base.

Jim Duffy at Network World commented on Borderless Networks saying:

“Borderless Network is intended to support applications, processing cycles and services that are increasingly distributed and virtualized, such as those in cloud computing and software-as-a-service environments. Some analysts say it is more than another Cisco “marketecture,” though. “

David Garner at InformationWeek picks up this sentiment as well:

“Taken together, the Borderless Networks architecture and the ISR G2 form a sort of central nervous system network that simplifies the delivery of networked business services throughout IT organizations, large and small. Cisco said a five-phased plan will help “deliver services and applications to anyone, anywhere, on any device, at anytime—seamlessly, reliably, and securely.”

Jeffery Burt at eWeek comments on the trends taking place in the industry to warrant the ISR G2’s feature updates:

“These capabilities are going to be important, given the current trends, Palmer said. By 2012, 90 percent of the bandwidth for consumer traffic will be video-based. In addition, employees in greater numbers are bringing in their consumer devices—such as iPhones or their own laptops—and expecting the same level of access to enterprise applications that they’d receive from company-issued devices.”

There are many others. Social media was an active component here as well. Lots of good responses on Cisco’s Routers Facebook page and the CiscoGeeks Twitter feed.

Even some of our competitors also found it worthwhile to give our announcement a plug. As always, we welcome that.

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Posted by Shashi Kiran at 11:22AM PST

[Curtain Raiser] It’s here! The brand new Cisco Integrated Services Router Generation 2

Hundreds of engineers. Multi-year development cycles. Global talent pool. The challenge? How do you take something very very successful and raise the bar? How do you deliver more value? We’re talking about the Cisco Integrated Services Router family with over 7 million sold in less than 5 years, possibly the best selling network router ever.

The approach? By listening to our customers Looking at the business trends. By seeing where networks are headed over the next 3-5 years. By getting the big picture. And by building a platform that helps our customers to innovate and grow their business. Increase efficiency, collaboration, productivity and responsiveness. Securely. Seamlessly. Reliably. Help our customers deliver richer experiences to their customers and drive loyalty.

The result? A spankin’ new Cisco Integrated Services Router Generation 2 (ISR G2) family. Upto 5 times more performance as the original ISR, at similar pricepoints. Enablng new experiences, some tickling the imagination. Getting ready for the future, now.

The first proofpoint for Cisco’s Borderless Network Architecture, helping turn vision into a reality one step at a time.

The ISR G2 is architected for video-delivery from ground-up. Video-based collaboration, video surveillance, streaming video, webex. Better collaboration. Higher productivity. Reduced travel costs.  A proofpoint for medianet.

It revolutionizes how services are delivered to branch offices. Truly. No more shipping hardware modules every time a new service has to be rolled out to the premise. Ship your hardware once. Deploy any software on new Services Ready Engines to any branch office, anytime. Sweet.

Cost reduction? Yes. In its DNA. Energy savings. Power efficiency. The choice to intelligently control power consumption. Headroom for future growth. Investment protection. All affirmative.

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Posted by Shashi Kiran at 10:49AM PST

Ignite bright young minds with Borderless Networks

Education is such a fundamental aspect of how individuals are shaped. I still remember my third or fourth grade teachers who created such an impression on me and shaped my thoughts early on, probably much more so than the professors I had in the University.  

As technology pervades the classroom environment, learning experiences are going to evolve.  A single experience can be life-changing and motivate students to choose careers of their choices – whether they become more interested in science or arts, depends on what stimulates them early on.

And so, we continue the journey right here on the Innovations blog, as we get ready for our October 20^th event.  Earlier this week we talked about bringing doctors to your doorsteps. Now, we look at an “out-of-the-world” learning experience for these bright young minds.   

If we could bring in the best teachers, offer the best courses to students regardless of location, or what strata of society they belong to, it will amplify the impact of education.

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Posted by Shashi Kiran at 10:21AM PST

Bring the doctor to your doorstep with Borderless Networks

Remember when you were a little kid and were dared by your friends to stick pennies up your nose or swallowed one lying around?  That was a parent’s nightmare!  Luckily technology has advanced over the years and these are “simple” problems to solve, but one can never take chances when the well being of a family member is involved. Access to quality medical care in a timely manner is extremely important.

Now, imagine what your network can do to enable this.

How do you tap into global expertise? How do you bring the “doctor to your doorstep”? And how do you do it without compromising on the quality of healthcare?

These are problems we face today, and Cisco is here to help resolve them.

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Posted by Shashi Kiran at 12:20PM PST

[Cisco Developer Contest] The Winners!

Today we are very excited to unveil the winners of our yearlong AXP developer contest.  In this video, Sue Bostrom, executive vice president and chief marketing officer and Marie Hattar, vice president of Network Systems and Security Solutions at Cisco, announce the winners of the Cisco “Think Inside the Box” developer contest in this video.

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Posted by Shashi Kiran at 12:08PM PST

Going shopping? Get onto the Borderless Network

Guys, imagine taking your wives out shopping and actually enjoying it. And ladies, what would you do to get rid of all the changing rooms and optimize your shopping time…now, wouldn’t that be FUN?

We’re all having a little fun as we march towards October 20th, when Cisco will unveil its architectural vision for Borderless Networks, along with a cool new Innovation that begins to enable some of these experiences. Check this cool video out:

Register here to attend Cisco’s virtual event on October 20^th at 11:00 a.m. PST to get a first look at the new technologies Cisco is creating. If you are in other timezones or dimensions, don’t sweat. We are hosting this event across three different timezones. So pick that one that suits you best.

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Posted by Shashi Kiran at 06:38AM PST

[Cisco Developer Contest]  Check out the finalists’ demos

In the past few months we have been keeping you updated on the AXP developer contest – well, we’re getting ready to announce our winners!

This week, on October 8th, we will announce the three winners of the Cisco “Think Inside the Box” developer contest. We will unveil who will be awarded the first prize (US$50,000), the second prize (US$30,000), and the third prize (US$20,000) among our eight finalists who crossed the finishing line.  Like we have mentioned in previous blog posts, these awards will be given to the person or team of innovators for the most creative and business-ready applications developed for the Cisco Integrated Services Router (ISR), by leveraging the Cisco Application Extension Platform (AXP). 

The judging panel comprised of external industry experts and Cisco executives had the tough job of evaluating the eight finalists from a pool of nearly 900 registrations from 75 countries.

Check out the finalist demos:

Want to see the demos that the finalists shared with the judges? Here they are, in no particular order. You can view their complete demos here. Enjoy!

Team SNAT, United States Application: Security and Network Assessment Tool

Team MADnetwork, Spain Application: Building Automation Service (BAS)

Team Bugsbernie, Germany Application: Integrated Surveillance System

Team RSDevs, Russia Application: Flash Gateway to Videoconferences

Team Campuser, Brazil Application: Locker for IP Telephony

Team Ideate, India Application: Application Suite for IP Telephony (ASIT)

Team Jin Jin, Brazil Application: Management Platform for IP Based Media Service (IMS) Applications

Team Enhancers, India Application: Local Advertising Mesh Network (LAMP)

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Posted by Shashi Kiran at 01:20PM PST

Cyberspace Action for Education

A few months ago, I travelled to Washington D.C. to attend the National Educational Computing Conference (NECC).   In the hotel elevator, I met with two guests who both had a miniature koala attached prominently to their shirts. “Are you from Australia?” I asked.  “Yes”, they smiled. “And we’re here to attend NECC.”   The types of schools represented at the conference varied as greatly as their geographical locations. It was great to see the community effort for better education.

At the conference, I was impressed with how many schools were deploying the latest security technologies.   But I was also struck to learn from a teacher that her school district had very little online security. “We don’t even have a password for our email, to give you an example”, she mentioned. As many of us are aware, cyberspace risks are real.  The online world is an inseparable part of the learning environment for students, teachers and staff. There are many opportunities for the education community to come together to achieve better cybersecurity.

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Posted by Steven Song at 09:00AM PST

Join Cisco to Usher in an Era of Borderless Networks

Does your business have global needs that transcend borders? Do you want to access different resources anywhere, at any time with a consistent experience? Is video an agent of change for your business? Are you keen on enhancing productivity and lowering costs, without compromising on your customer experience?  

Do you wonder what your Network can do to help?

On October 20^th, 2009 at 11 a.m. PDT Cisco will unveil the architectural vision for Borderless Networks that will promote service agility and business responsiveness, anywhere, anytime, and to anyone.  Also look forward to an announcement on an exciting new innovation from Cisco that delivers on the Borderless Experience.

Join us. Register to attend the live broadcast.

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Posted by Shashi Kiran at 10:30AM PST

[Cisco Developer Contest] Vote for your favourite team!!

Our judging team of seven has been busy evaluating the demos of the eight qualified finalists, taking time off from their busy schedule. They are convening later this month. While we have no doubt the judging team will come to the right decision on the winners, we thought all of you out there following these teams and the contest should have your say too, even it is only for fun.

Who do YOU think should win the Cisco ‘Think Inside the Box’ Developer contest? Who do YOU think is the most innovative, or has the most interesting application out there? Who is YOUR favourite team?

Between now and October 6th, we invite you to weigh in and vote for your favourite team based on their application submission on the Cisco contest website. It will be interesting to see how the judges vote stacks up against the community vote. Once the winners are announced, we will also unveil the winner of the community choice contest - right here on the Innovations Blog! There is no monetary compensation involved for any of the teams.

Also be sure to look out for demos from these eight teams on the contest website in the coming weeks.

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Posted by Shashi Kiran at 08:31PM PST