The Cisco 2901 router delivers secure data, voice, video and application services for small offices. It has 2 Ethernet ports, 4 WAN interface card slots, 2 DSP slots, an internal services module, and supports PoE and hardware-accelerated VPN encryption. The 2901 is 1RU in size, often called a 'pizza box' router, and is the successor to Cisco's 2500, 2600 and 2800 series routers. It has limitations on additional modules compared to higher models like the 2911.

1. Cisco 2901 router delivers highly secure data, voice, video, and application services
for small offices. It offers embedded hardware encryption acceleration, voice-and
video-capable digital signal processor (DSP) slots, optional firewall, intrusion
prevention, call processing, voicemail, and application services. In addition, the
platforms support the industries widest range of wired and wireless connectivity
options such as T1/E1, xDSL, copper and fiber GE.
Key features of Cisco 2901/k9 includes:
a. 2 integrated 10/100/1000 Ethernet ports
b. 4 enhanced high-speed WAN interface card slots
c. 2 onboard digital signal processor (DSP) slots
d. 1 onboard Internal Service Module for application services
e. Fully integrated power distribution to modules supporting 802.3af Power over
Ethernet (PoE) and Cisco Enhanced PoE
f. Security: Embedded hardware-accelerated VPN encryption for secure collaborative
VPN communications; Integrated threat control using Cisco IOS Firewall, Cisco IOS
Zone-Based Firewall, Cisco IOS IPS, and Cisco IOS Content Filtering; Identity
management that uses authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) and
public key infrastructure
g. Voice: High-density-packet voice DSP module, optimized for voice and video;
Standards-certified VoiceXML browser services; Cisco Unified Border Element
capabilities; Cisco Unity Express voicemail support; Support for Cisco Communications
Manager Express and Survivable Remote Site Telephony
The 2901 router that will be used as an example in the following part is the successor
to Cisco’s 2500, 2600 and 2800 series lines of routers. It is 1RU (Rack Unit) in size and
is often referred to as a ‘pizza box’ router.
Cisco 2901 Router-Front and Rear View
Here we will focus on the hardware setup of a Cisco router. There are a number of
different module options that are available for the Cisco 2901 router. The first thing

2. that any engineer must do with a new router (or new to them) is to configure and
update it to meet the needs of its intended role in the network. To do this the
engineer must connect a cable to the 2901 router to access the console of the device.
With older routers the only option when connec ting to the console was via a custom
rollover cable which was then used in combination with a RJ-45 to DB-9 or DB-25
converter which enabled a connection with a serial port on a PC. Since almost all
newer PCs (including laptops) no longer have conventional serial ports many
companies have developed USB to serial cable adapters which allow a connection to
these older devices via a modern USB port. The 2901 has two different available
methods of connection; via the older style RJ-45 port and a rollover cable OR via a
direct mini-USB connection to the device.
The Cisco 2901 (and most new series devices) includes built-in Gigabit Ethernet
interfaces (2) that can be used to connect the router to the network. The Gigabit
Ethernet ports on routers are pinned the same as hosts/PC ’s and do not require
crossover Ethernet cables to connect to Switches. Some of the higher model routers
also support small-form-factor pluggable (SFP) Gigabit Ethernet ports which enable
the use of fiber directly into the device.
Size of Cisco 2901
The Cisco 2901 router is able to be used in a number of different physical locations. It
is small enough to be used as a desktop device or it can be used in a 19 or 23 inch
rack with the addition of rack brackets. The routers that are placed into racks are
higher in model number than the 2901 and therefore are larger than 1RU.
Limitations of CISCO 2901 ROUTER
The Cisco 2901 is limited in the type of additional modules that it can utilize. In the
rear of the 2901 there are four Enhanced High-Speed Interface Card (EHWICs) slots.
The Cisco 2911 router, for example, also supports a single Service Module (SM) on
top of supporting the same four EHWIC slots. Generally speaking the higher the
router series number the more flexibility will exist on type of module supported.
About Leading Cisco Supplier-Router-switch.com
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banks, the global 1000, medium and small enterprises.
Note: If you want to purchase Cisco 2900 series routers and accessories, you can visit:
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