Cisco DSL gear includes new G.SHDSL support

ATLANTA--Cisco Systems introduced a portfolio of customer premises equipment Tuesday that supports the recently approved G.SHDSL standard, which lets carriers deliver symmetrical, business-class DSL service.

Symmetrical DSL service traditionally has been offered almost exclusives by pure-play DSL providers via SDSL, which introduces noise issues into the copper pair, according to Suraj Setty, product market manager for Cisco’s DSL business unit. The G.SHDSL standard does not introduce this noise problem, which should let regional Bell operating companies (RBOCs) provide symmetrical DSL service valued most by business customers.

Support for this standard is the featured characteristic for three new products available today: Cisco 828 router for small offices and telecommuter; the Cisco SOHO 78 router for small offices/home offices; and the Cisco IAD2400 series of integrated access devices.

The key difference between the new routers is that the 828 includes enhanced security features such as firewall functionality for about $150 more, Setty said.

“The SOHO 78 is designed for users who do not need much security because the network provides it,” Setty said.

However, none of the new products are upgradeable. Customers seeking upgrade paths will need to buy one of the more expensive 1700, 2600 and 3600 series of modular multiservice access routers, for which Cisco now offers wide area network (WAN) interface cards that support the G.SHDSL protocol.
Donny Jackson is News Editor for Telephony. He can be reached at donny_jackson@intertec.com.