Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
Cisco Enterprise MAN/WAN
The Cisco Enterprise MAN/WAN architecture uses several technologies that work to-
gether in a cohesive relationship.
Here is the list of Cisco enterprise MAN/WAN technologies:
Private WAN (optional encryption)
■
Private WAN with self-deployed MPLS
■
ISP service (Internet with site-to-site and remote-access VPN)
■
SP-managed IP/MPLS VPN
■
Cisco Wide Area Application Services (WAAS)
■
These architectures provide integrated QoS, security, reliability, and ease of management
that is required to support enterprise business applications and services. As you can see,
these architectures provide a number of alternative technologies to the traditional private
WA N a n d c a n a l l o w f o r n e t w o r k g r o w t h a n d r e d u c e d m o n t h l y c a r r i e r c h a r g e s .
Cisco WAAS is a comprehensive WAN optimization solution that delivers LAN-like per-
for mance to applic at ion s over the WAN. WA AS c an prov ide accelerated applic at ion acce s s
to the branch office. The local WAAS appliance can also host local branch IT services for
applications that are pushed out to the remote branch office.
Enterprise WAN/MAN Architecture Comparison
Enterprise WAN/MAN architectures have common characteristics that allow the network
designer to compare the advantages and disadvantages of each approach. Table 7-3 com-
pares the characteristics of private WAN, ISP service, SP MPLS/IP VPN, and private
MPLS architectures.
Ta b l e 7- 3
WA N / M A N A r c h i t e c t u r e C o m p a r i s o n
Characteristic
Private
WAN
ISP Service
SP MPLS/IP
VPN
Private
MPLS
High availability
Excellent
Good
Excellent
Excellent
Growth support
Moderate
Good
Excellent
Excellent
Security
IPsec (op-
tional)
IPsec (manda-
tory)
IPsec (optional)
IPsec (op-
tional)
Ongoing expenses
High
Low
Moderate to
high
Moderate to
high
Ease of management
High
Medium
Medium
High
Vo i c e / v i d e o s u p p o r t
Excellent
Low
Excellent
Excellent
Effort to migrate from pri-
vate WAN
Low
Moderate
Moderate
High
Multicast
Good
Good
Good
Excellent
