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Cisco Completes Phase Two of Policy Networking Initiative

Cisco Systems Inc. completed the second phase of its CiscoAssure Policy Networking Initiative by announcing its Quality of Service (QoS) policy solution, dubbed Policy Manager.

By using existing Cisco IOS QoS mechanisms in Cisco LAN/WAN switching equipment, the Cisco QoS Policy Manager enables network administrators to protect applications through policy configuration and distribution.

Key features of Cisco QoS Policy Manager include: graphical user interface that enables definition of traffic classification and QoS enforcement policies, rules-based policy builder, integrated policy validation and error reporting, a policy distribution manager that downloads policies to network devices, and support for a wide range of Cisco devices and Cisco IOS software releases.

QoS Policy Manager integrates with CiscoWorks2000, shortening setup time to activate QoS policies. QoS Policy Manager eliminates tedious device-by-device configuration of QoS intelligence in switches and routers, giving network managers a better way to deploy QoS policies that achieve application service-level differentiation.

The CiscoAssure initiative was announced last year to create the products and services required building high-performance, application-aware networks. CiscoAssure includes solutions that deliver enterprise-wide user name and address registration, automated distribution of policies for network-wide QoS, security and voice, and the continued extension of Cisco's intelligent internet services solutions. – Thomas Sullivan, Senior Reporter/Northwest Correspondent

About the Author

Scott Bekker is editor in chief of Redmond Channel Partner magazine.

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