Today, Cisco is a well-known brand in network security that almost all internet users as well as who deal with network know it. Cisco offers a wide range of products which are designed to suit different networks. Cisco products are used in almost all state and non-governmental organizations, big and small companies and also offices. Since Cisco hardware and software appliances meet the organization`s need efficiently, Cisco became a standard-bearer in network equipment.

Cisco Systems was founded in December 1984 by Leonard Bosack and Sandy Lerner. Cisco name is adapted from “San Francisco” word. When company founders were driving to Sacramento to register their company, their attention drown to Golden Gate Bridge in the sunlight. So, they chose the name and symbol of the company accordingly. Cisco`s logo represents its San Francisco originality and Golden Gate Bridge. Cisco offers a wide range of hardware equipment, but the most important ones that be used in Iran markets include Switch, router, access point, firewall and IP Phone

Switch: Switches can be considered as foundation of many businesses’ networks. They act as controller and connect computers, printers and servers to each other in a network.

By creating a network of shared resources, switches allow the network devices to connect each other or with other networks. In other words, switches reduce costs and increase efficiency by sharing and allocating resources.

Router: In addition to connecting multiple networks to each other, routers can also connect computers in the network to the Internet. They enable all computers on a network to share a single Internet connection so, they reduce the costs. Briefly, routers are able to “connect your business to the world”, “protect data against threats” and even “decide which one of computers get priority”.

Access Points: Access points allow devices to access to wireless networks without need to cables. Their performance is similar to an amplifier.

Access points are able to develop the bandwidth that provided by routers. So, the networks can support more devices and those devices can access the network from further away points.

Firewalls: Firewalls prevent unauthorized I/O traffic to private networks. You may have a hardware firewall, software firewall or even both of them.

Firewalls prevents unauthorized users to accessing private networks connected to the Internet, especially intranets. All incoming or outgoing messages from the intranet (the local network you are connected) must pass through the firewall. The firewall checks all messages and blocks those which do not meet defined security criteria.