Cisco Adds Network Security to Catalyst 6500 Series

August 30, 2002 -- Network equipment builder Cisco Systems Inc. (Cisco.com) announced this week that it has integrated a new range of multigigabit network security services into the Catalyst 6500 Series of multilayer switches.

Security services, says Cisco, have become an intrinsic part of the network, allowing customers to scale security services and adapt capabilities to a range of IP services.

Cisco says customers can deploy network security services on the Catalyst 6500 Series switches through four security services modules: the Catalyst 6500 Firewall Services Module; IPSec VPN (VPN) Services Module; SSL Services Module; and the advanced Network Analysis Modules. The modules, says Cisco, combine perimeter security services with the existing Layer 2 – 7 network services on the switch. Customers can combine security services with a range of IP services like Voice over IP, wireless LAN integration, Quality of Service and content switching.

The services modules use the same technologies as the Cisco PIX Firewall and Cisco VPN products, says Cisco, allowing customers to introduce new security services to complement existing security capabilities and protect existing investments.