As expected, Cisco yesterday announced 10 new products for converging voice and data traffic over IP networks (see: Cisco raises its VoIP).
The products, which fall under Cisco's AVVID architecture for voice, video and data integration, are designed to increase scalability, availability and intelligence of a converged infrastructure.
The new offerings include Cisco CallManager 3.0 call processing software, two IP Phones - the 7960 and 7910 -- and a new Media Convergence Server, the MCS 7835. Up to five MCS 7835s running CallManager 3.0 can be clustered together to support 10,000 users, Cisco says. Ten clusters can be interconnected to support up to 100,000 users, the company claims.
For the Catalyst 6000 LAN switch, Cisco also announced integrated gateway interface cards-one analog and two digital-and a 48 port 10/100 Ethernet switch module with a daughtercard that drives power from the switch to the IP phones. For existing installations, Cisco rolled out a so-called Inline Power patch panel for the Catalyst 4000 and 5000 switches, and a standalone, modular analog trunk/station gateway called the VG 200.
Most products will be available in the second quarter.
The Cisco IP phone 7960 costs $495 plus user license, while the Cisco IP Phone 7910 costs $145 plus user license. CallManager 3.0 comes bundled with any MCS server. The MCS 7835 costs $14,995. The Inline Power patch panel costs $4,995, while the Inline Power field-upgrade daughtercard for the Catalyst 6000 costs $3,995.
The VG 200 gateway starts at $2,495; the 24-port analog gateway costs $9,995; and the T-1 or E-1 digital gateways cost $19,995 apiece.
Shipping now is the Catalyst 6000 48-port 10/100 card with the Inline Power module slot. It is available for $12,995.
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