Product specifications

Cisco Configuration Assistant, a PC-based intuitive GUI configuration tool, is an integral component of the Cisco Smart Business
Communications System. With a focus on ease of use, the Cisco Configuration Assistant simplifies configuration of multiple
technologies-unified communications, switching, routing, security, and wireless. Cisco Configuration Assistant simplifies telephony
configuration and provides follow-up support to facilitate easy modification. Features include an interactive topology view, front-
panel views of devices, and drag-and-drop Cisco IOS Software upgrades.
Cisco Configuration Assistant was purpose-built to provide comprehensive configuration, deployment, and ongoing network
management support for the entire line of products in the Cisco Smart Business Communications System. (For a list of all supported
devices and limits, see Table 1.)
Simplified Configuration
A single configuration error in just one device in your network can impede the performance of your essential business applications
and leave your business vulnerable to a damaging security breach, so proper device configuration is critical. However, even a small
office network can contain a wide range of routing, switching, wireless, and voice solutions. Manually configuring all of them can be
a tedious and time-consuming task. Cisco Configuration Assistant reduces the time and effort your IT staff must devote to device
configuration by simplifying this process through an easy-to-use GUI. This integrated approach encompasses:
• Voice configuration: To manually configure a Cisco IP telephony system, you would need to configure the Cisco Unified
Communications Manager Express call processing and Cisco Unity® Express voicemail applications embedded in your Cisco
Integrated Services Router, as well as configure your network routers and switches to support voice communications. Alternatively,
Cisco Configuration Assistant can interact with and configure all voice applications and devices dynamically. Simply access the
telephony services through the phone icon on the Cisco Configuration Assistant dashboard to easily set up, configure, and apply
security to your router and phone system.
• Router configuration: Cisco Configuration Assistant supports router configurations and port settings from LAN and WAN interface
configurations. The tool makes it easy to assign IP addresses and subnet masks and change the status of Dynamic Host Configuration
Protocol (DHCP), among other capabilities.
• Router security configuration: Cisco Configuration Assistant allows users to activate the most commonly used Cisco IOS® Software
security features, including Network Address Translation (NAT), firewalls, and VPNs. The tool guides users to select appropriate
parameters that meet the security needs of their network, based on Cisco best practices for network security that have been validated
by Cisco network design engineers.
• Switch configuration: Cisco Configuration Assistant provides a quick and easy way to configure ports on switch devices. The tool
enables dynamic virtual LAN (VLAN) assignment of voice and data traffic and simplifies activation of quality of service (QoS),
security, and Power over Ethernet (PoE) features.
• Wireless configuration: Because airwaves can cross physical security boundaries, proper security on wireless LANs (WLANs) is
essential. Cisco Configuration Assistant can configure either a single access point or multiple access point networks. For standalone
access points, Cisco Configuration Assistant guides users through the configuration of Secure Set Identifier (SSID), authentication,
and encryption. It will also configure multiple access point networks and supports controller-based solutions such as the Cisco
Mobility Express solution.
Cisco Configuration Assistant Key Features
Cisco Configuration Assistant provides the following features and benefits:
• Holistic, network-level insight through multiple network views-Users can access devices and monitor the network from two
perspectives: the physical Topology View or the Front Panel View. The rich Topology View graphically represents the types of
devices in the network as well as detailed information about device status, physical connections, and various monitoring capabilities-
all from a single view. The Front Panel View displays all switches and routers in the network simultaneously, along with the state,
duplex, and speed of ports. The Front Panel View also allows users to apply features across multiple ports or multiple switches
when
configuring features such as VLANs. In addition, users can verify optimal ongoing network performance by generating
comprehensive, real-time reports of network inventory and health.
Figure 7. The Topology View graphically represents the types of devices in the network and provides detailed information about
device status and physical connections
© 2008 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.
Important notices, privacy statements, and trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc. can be found on cisco.com.
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