Content

| 7.1 |  | Introduction to Cisco AVVID |
| 7.1.3 |  | Cisco AVVID intelligent network services |

Intelligent Network Services
Cisco AVVID Network Infrastructure consists of the e-business infrastructure (physical layer) and intelligent network services, which is comprised of numerous networking technologies and topologies with a corresponding large number of possible designs and architectures.These various full-scale network designs have been lab tested by Cisco at Research Triangle Park, NC; and the results are captured in Solution Reference Network Design Guides. The net result is a blueprint of optimal blending of equipment, features, and management tools that match business criteria. In addition to the physical layer, Cisco deploys the following Intelligent Network Services to keep the network at peak performance:

Quality of Service (QoS)
QoS manages the delay, delay variation (jitter), bandwidth, and packet loss parameters on a network to meet the diverse needs of voice, video and data applications. QoS features provide value-added functionality such as network-based application recognition (NBAR) for classifying traffic on an applications basis, a service assurance agent (SAA) for end-to-end QoS measurements, and Resource Reservation Protocol (RSVP) signaling for admission control and reservation of resources.

Security
Security must be treated as an integral element of any Cisco AVVID network. An organization’s communications network is the basic environment connecting all users, servers, applications and service providers. Implementing a robust security suite provides the best defense against possible information loss, tampering, or productivity disruption. Cisco’s security suite emphasizes three key areas: internal network security, external network security, and the identity of users and applications to ensure proper policy assignment.

- Internal Network Security – Ensuring that the internal network is secure includes tracking physical, endpoint, application and Layer 2 security issues.
- External Network Security – External network security focuses on securing the interface between an organization’s internal network and the outside world (the Internet edge).
- Network Identity – In considering a network’s overall security scheme, it is essential to establish a framework that allows the network administrator to implement identity-based network access control and policy enforcement, right down to the user and individual access port level.

Cisco AVVID Network Infrastructure capabilities present a formidable array of both device-based and server-based security applications and features. Access control lists (ACLs), firewalls, server-based authentication, intrusion detection systems, and virtual private network capabilities can be integrated into a seamless security environment.