Features and benefits of Cisco ISR 4331 router

Cisco has again proved that no other competitor can compete with them in building devices which comprise of advanced networking capabilities. Cisco has introduced a new router in its ISR (Integrated Service Routers) family which belongs to Cisco 4000 series which has software defined WAN platform which performs better with more security and higher abilities of convergence within branched enterprises, it has distinguished capabilities that branched offices require nowadays.

Cisco has revolutionized its 4000 ISR series which will bring changes in WAN communication within Enterprise branches. With more intelligent network capabilities and introduced many new features. It addresses the growing needs of application-aware network in distributed enterprise locations. The Cisco ISR family has many routers in its league out of which the new Cisco ISR 4331 has taken the lead in its features which are better than the existing Cisco 2911 and 2921 routers.

Cisco ISR 4331 router has power packed features which boasts its performance. The Device has data throughput of 100mb/s that can be increased to 300mb/s. it supports three WAN or LAN ports. It has a fast One Giga bit Ethernet port of RJ45/SPF port, a Gigabit Ethernet port RJ45 port and a Gigabit SPF port. It Also have mini USB port, a USB 2.0 type-A port, Two NIM (Network Interface Modules) and one Enhanced service module slot. The performance of current software speeds up to 2GB/s. The backplane architecture can support module to module communication with speeds up to 10GB/s.

The architectural features of this device are very advance; it has built in high performance multicore processors and supports high speed WAN connections. It has Embedded IP Security feature which increase scalability of the device when it is combined to work with optional Cisco IOS XE Software Security License which will enable it to VPN services and WAN link security. It has a mini-USB Type-B console port which supports connectivity when traditional serial ports are not available. It also has an Cisco Enhanced Services Module (SM-X) each service slot In the Cisco ISR 4331 has the capacity to deliver high data-throughput capability of up to 10 GB/s to the system and 1 GB/s to other module slots. The SM-X service slot can also be converted into Network Interface Module (NIM) using an optional carrier card. A single flash memory slot is available to support high speed storage spaces with available memory of 4GB can be upgradable to 16GB. The DRAM is 4GB but it is scalable up to 16GB. 

Cisco has also introduced new management features in the device which includes Cisco IOS Embedded Event Manager (EEM), Cisco IOS XE Service- level Agreements (IP-SLA’s), ISR –AX Application Experience and Network Monitoring and Accounting Tools which are a huge benefit for the Enterprise users.

The Cisco ISR 4331 is built on a multicore CPU Architecture which runs on Cisco IOS XE Software which helps to benefit from its distributed multi core Architecture. The Architecture separates the control-and- data plane and integrate a services plane specifically designed to deliver services up to layer 7 with the ability to perform application aware network services, the device has the capability to maintain a stable platform  and still provides high level of performance during high network traffic.

The SD-WAN technology which is optimized in the ISR 4331, it helps businesses to run critical applications faster, with reduced Operational Expenditure and being more reliable. Cisco ISR 4331 is backed with a lot of security features which makes it a secure network device. Its special security features protects the network against cyber-attacks and restricts any unauthorized changes in hardware or software of the device.

The drawback of this device is, it only has one power supply option in the device and higher models like Cisco 4400 series have a dual power supply which is a more preferred device for organizations that cannot afford to have downtime in their network system.

Overall Cisco ISR 4331 device is an All-rounder in Cisco ISR routers and is cost effective than its higher versions like the Cisco 4400 series. This Router comes with a lot of additional features which can upgrade the performance of this device and you can also add in new features, you might get similar features available on other higher end models in this device therefore it will decrease your cost of buying new equipment’s.