Cisco Addresses WAN Edge RealityCisco Addresses WAN Edge Reality
New Catalyst 8000 Edge series of devices, software support SD-WAN and SASE.
October 20, 2020
Now that the edge of a network has to take into account multiple clouds, 5G, and WFH users, many enterprises are finding that their hub-and-spoke WANs aren't cutting it, with many looking to SD-WAN and Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) solutions for answers.
Cisco today added to their options, introducing a portfolio of WAN edge devices and software. The new Catalyst 8000 Edge Platforms allow enterprises to adopt a SASE architecture and support on-prem SD-WAN security, Cisco said. The portfolio includes the:
Catalyst 8300 Series Edge — for branch site connectivity, these edge routing devices offer improved performance over Cisco’s older-generation integrated services routers
Catalyst 8500 Series Edge — for data center, colocation, and aggregation sites, these routers feature integrated 40G and 100G Ethernet ports and is powered by Cisco's Quantum Flow Processor for security and network services
Catalyst 8000V Edge Software — a virtual routing platform for deployment in the cloud or virtualized on Cisco’s 5000 Series Enterprise Network Compute System
Additionally, Cisco had added wireless WAN device alternatives. The new Catalyst Cellular Gateway devices, which are manageable via Cisco’s SD-WAN dashboard, gives enterprises the option of using cellular as a backup option or primary SD-WAN link, Cisco said. Initially, the Catalyst Cellular Gateway will support Advanced 4G LTE CAT 18 speeds, with 5G versions coming shortly after, Cisco said.
The Cisco Catalyst 8300 and 8500 and Cisco Cellular Catalyst Gateways are available now. Availability for the Cisco Catalyst 8000V will follow in December, Cisco said. All the products include Cisco's intent-based networking service, Cisco DNA, which is available in three tiers.
*Editor's Note: This article has been updated since initial publication.
