Avatar

People want simplicity in technology. They want secure connectivity no matter where employees work or where the application sits. The secure access service edge (SASE) combines cloud security and SD-WAN for this purpose. Yet, any network engineer will tell you that performance should never be sacrificed for simplicity. Someone trying to send an important email would say the same. It’s for these reasons that Cisco is proud to introduce the Catalyst 8200L, a powerful edge platform streamlined for cloud security at small branches.

Cisco Catalyst 8200L Edge Platforms boost SD-WAN and SASE performance
Figure 1. Cisco Catalyst 8200L Edge Platforms boost SD-WAN and SASE performance

Performance Enhancements 

Performance Comparison: ISR 4321 to Catalyst 8200L (aggregate throughput)
Figure 2. Performance Comparison: ISR 4321 to Catalyst 8200L (aggregate throughput)

Cloud networking and security need performance to deliver benefits. These architectures are more distributed and complex despite their simple consumption models. As a result, Cisco Catalyst 8200L edge platforms are not structured to run on-premises services in an SD-Branch scenario. These platforms offer performance enhancements for cloud application access at the small branch.

 Cisco Catalyst 8200L contain four custom x86 CPU cores and 4GB of default DRAM for faster traffic forwarding. Traffic going to the cloud must be kept secure, so we’ve also added enhanced encryption performance via an Intel QuickAssist Technology (QAT) engine. These capabilities combine to provide ultra-fast tunneling to the cloud 

Catalyst 8200L provide small branches up to 1500 IPSec Tunnels and up to 500 Mbps of SD-WAN IPSec throughput, which is higher than its ISR 4321 predecessor. 

Firmware Security 

Performance is not the only area where Cisco innovations shine. The Cisco Catalyst 8200L contains our most advanced Cisco Trust Anchor, a secure core protecting device boot, authentication, firmware and public key infrastructure from attack. It’s a sad reality that, according to the NIST Vulnerability Database, firmware attacks have increased 500% over the last 3 years. Meanwhile, the average cost of a data breach stands at 3.86M[1] and, according to TechRepublic, 63% of business have experience a firmware attack.[2] Introducing generic and often defenseless CPE only compounds the problem. Cisco Catalyst 8200L are hardened at the firmware layer to provide peace of mind while you ship, activate and manage your global SASE architecture from any remote location. 

 In the past few years, firmware attacks have exploded in volume and severity.
Figure 3. In the past few years, firmware attacks have exploded in volume and severity.

The latest Cisco Trust Anchor provides your network with greater resiliency, but also better visibility, giving you and your security team the ability to see and manage encryption keys. Cisco Trust Anchor also provides field programmability, meaning that in the event of a firmware or crypto attack, your Catalyst 8200L can continue to operate safely without being permanently damaged 

We include these innovations in our edge platforms knowing that you trust Cisco to remain connected. Cisco intends to earn reputation well into the future with the Catalyst 8000 Edge Platforms Family. 

Level Up with this Special Offer 

If you’re emerging from the pandemic with a plan to better connect your remote workforce, begin a hybrid model or make a sincere return to an improved office, chances are your business will rely on cloud performance more than ever. You will need seamless, secure connectivity no matter what your network looks like. It’s time to refresh those legacy routers. Cisco has you covered.  

The Cisco Catalyst 8200 Series Edge Platforms, including the 8200L model, contain powerful performance enhancements for your cloud journey
Figure 4. The Cisco Catalyst 8200 Series Edge Platforms, including the 8200L model, contain powerful performance enhancements for your cloud journey

Cisco routing customers with existing ISR G2 and 4000 deployments can get special pricing and incentives for a network refresh to Catalyst 8000.  

 From now until July 31, 2021, those customers can receive up to 28% off the cost of all Cisco 8300 Series Catalyst Edge Platforms purchased, and up to 38% off the cost of all Cisco 8200 Series Edge Platforms purchased. In addition, for every Catalyst 8300 that Cisco ISR G2 and 4000 customers purchase, they will receive either a switching or cellular PIM bundled, and for every 8200 purchased, a switching PIM is bundled. 

 See our offers website for more details. 

Cisco Catalyst 8000 

Connecting the next branch requires fast, reliable and secure cloud connections from anywhere. Whether you manage a transformed retail shop, a reopened office, or automated manufacturing facility, Catalyst 8000 were built with your network in mind. As you plan to connect, secure and automate your business, considering selecting Catalyst 8000 Edge Platforms as the foundation.

Check out the Cisco Catalyst 8200L 

Find out more about Cisco SD-WAN 

[1]https://www.darkreading.com/vulnerabilities—threats/advanced-threats/average-cost-of-a-data-breach-in-2020-$386m/a/d-id/1338660

[2]https://www.techrepublic.com/article/63-of-organizations-face-security-breaches-due-to-hardware-vulnerabilities/

 

Check out our Cisco Networking video channel

Subscribe to the Cisco Networking blog



Authors

Pat Vitalone

Product Marketing Manager

IBNG