Cisco Unveils New Router Processor

Cisco Systems has a new network processing engine for its routers to help customers deploy new data, voice and video applications.

The telecom gear maker introduced the NPG-G100 product for its 7300 Series routers this morning at the NetWorld+Interop 2003 trade show in Las Vegas.

The Cisco 7304 NPE-G100 will be available in May for $22,000. It can be used can be used by enterprises as an Internet gateway or by service providers as a high-end customer-premise-equipment (CPE) for managed service offerings.

UTA, an Austrian telecommunications and e-business service provider, is among those interested.

“UTA is evaluating the Cisco 7300 Series to enhance our existing MPLS-based service offering,” said Ilias Liakopoulos, head of UTA’s IP and data network department. “The Cisco 7300 will provide us with more flexibility for handling critical applications in a multi-gigabit network environment.”

Cisco’s announcement is its second out of NetWorld+InterOp. On Monday the San Jose, Calif., company made official today its entry into the wireless IP phone market.

At the same time, the company announced several enhancements to its current wired VoIP software and hardware platform, including new deskset units.