Cisco Unveils LAN Switching for IP Telephony Applications

Cisco Systems Inc.ed goal to prepare mid-sized companies and branch offices for IP telephony deployments, <%=company%> (San Jose, CA) this week unveiled a local-area network (LAN) switching system. Targeted at mid-sized companies and branch offices with 250 to 1000 employees the new system is an extension of Cisco's Architecture for Voice, Video and Integrated Data (AVVID).

The LAN switching system consists of the new Cisco Catalyst 3524-PWR XL model that features inline power together with updated software functionality for the Catalyst 3500 series XL and 2900 series XL desktop switches. The software update includes enhanced quality of service (QoS), and integrated management and security.

The new switch, the latest addition to the Catalyst 3500 series XL, is a single rack unit (RU) switch featuring 24 10/100 Mbps switched ports with integrated inline power and two gigabit interface connector (GBIC)-based Gigabit Ethernet ports that accommodate a range of GBICs, including the Cisco GigaStack GBIC, and 1000BaseSX, 1000BaseLX/LH, and 1000BaseZX GBICs.

With integrated inline power, the Catalyst 3524-PWR XL automatically detects the type of IP device on each port, such as an IP telephone, and powers it directly, using 48-volt DC power over standard Category 5 unshielded twisted pair cable. Thus, an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) or separate wall power is not required for each IP phone.

The Catalyst 3524-PWR XL is compatible with Call Manager 3.0 and the new Cisco IP Phones announced in March of this year, and with the Cisco Integrated Communications System 7750 announced this month.

Pricing and availability
The Cisco Catalyst 3524-PWR XL is available today and has a list price of U.S $3,995. Cisco's current line of Catalyst 2900 and 3500 XL series switches are priced starting at U.S. $1,995.

Edited by John Spofford, Managing Editor