Cisco significantly boosted the performance of its recently-launched ASR 1000 Series Aggregation Services Router with a new 20-Gbps Embedded Services Processor (ESP). The release doubles the service processing rate and delivers software enhancements that increase application control and performance. 
The ASR 1000 Series, which was introduced in March 2008, is powered by the company's 40-core "QuantumFlow" processor and designed for massive scalability in packet intelligence in both service provider and enterprise networks. The platform packs up to 20 million packet per second (PPS) forwarding rate performance in a compact single router platform. As such, the ASR 1000 could be used to consolidate a number of networking appliances, including firewall, IPSec VPNs, deep-packet inspection (DPI) and Session Border Controllers (SBC).
The new enhancements include:
- 20 Gbps Cisco ASR 1000 Series ESP High-Performance Security Services: Integrated high-performance firewall, virtual private network (VPN), and Network Access Translation (NAT) services with up to 20 Gbps throughput, up to 8 Gbps Internet Protocol Security (IPsec) encryption and up to 10,000 VPN tunnel services.
- WAN Optimization (WCCPv2) Application-Aware Capabilities on the Cisco ASR 1000 Series: Enhanced network performance and dynamic optimization for business-critical applications such as enterprise resource planning (ERP) and customer relationship management (CRM). Network-Based Application Recognition (NBAR) is offered to help customers identify, prioritize, limit or block more than 60 applications, including Skype and instant messaging, so that compliance requirements and an optimum performance of mission-critical applications can be maintained.
- Integrated Threat Control on Cisco ASR: Rapid first line of defense against network threats with multigigabit flexible and granular Layer 2-7 Flexible Packet Matching (FPM).
- Enhancements to Cisco Security Manager: Simplified and accurate system-management capabilities for Cisco ASR 1000 platform-level instrumentation and onboard usability tools. Customers benefit from improved operational efficiencies when configuring, managing and troubleshooting network issues.
The Cisco Embedded Services Processor for the Cisco ASR 1000 Series is generally available now with U.S. list price of $50,000.
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