Cisco brings new 5G Industrial Router Portfolio to connect the IoT edge

Cisco announced a new portfolio of industrial routers to extend the power of the enterprise network to the edge with the flexibility, security and scalability needed for IoT success. Featuring 5G capabilities today, the portfolio enables organizations to run connected operations at scale with choice of management tools suited for both IT and operations. The unified architecture simplifies collaboration between IT and operations and streamlines their deployments from the enterprise to the edge.

“Only Cisco offers a network from the enterprise to the industrial edge, with an architecture that provides visibility, automation, and security from campuses and branch offices to substations, remote operating locations, fleets, on-the-go connected assets, and beyond,” said Vikas Butaney, VP/GM of Cisco IoT.

The new portfolio includes:

Three new Catalyst 5G Industrial Routers to securely connect mobile and fixed assets: These new routers are based on Cisco IOS XE to extend the enterprise network and SD-WAN to the edge. This unified architecture provides IT and operational teams with consistent tools, eliminates training on new devices and technologies, and improves security. The new Catalyst routers are modular and also offer built-in edge compute to develop business apps and drive decisions at the edge.

New Cisco IoT Gateway Series for essential indoor or outdoor connectivity at mass scale: Packaged with Cisco’s cloud-based IoT Operations Dashboard, these cloud-simple gateways are cost-effective and offer fast and simple set up; simply plug it in and power it on to connect previously unconnected assets.

Unprecedented modularity and scale to handle the 5G future and beyond

The new Catalyst routing portfolio delivers the scale, flexibility and security to adapt as use cases evolve and new applications are needed. It offers a broad choice of modules – including 5G and LTE for public or private cellular networks, public safety applications like FirstNet, DSL, Wi-SUN – and upgradeable storage. Plus, the portfolio enables updating the CPU and battery in the field.

“Our customers need our hardware to be in play for 7-10 years in their operational environments. This modularity eliminates a rip and replace cycle to take advantage of 5G and whatever comes next,” added Vikas. “Now they can easily take advantage of new technologies and future-proof their networking investments.”

Built-in, end-to-end security with visibility into operational environments

The Catalyst industrial router portfolio, based on Cisco’s industry-leading cybersecurity architecture, delivers a holistic strategy to manage security across siloed IT and OT environments. The portfolio integrates Cisco Cyber Vision to provide full visibility from enterprise to the edge. Cyber Vision embeds a sensor within the industrial network so security teams can detect threats to their industrial environments with operational context, enabling organizations to build a truly converged IT/operations threat management strategy – without the need for extra boxes and vendors. Plus, the portfolio supports secure remote access for operations and equipment monitoring/servicing.

The new Cisco Catalyst Industrial Routers are available starting in June.