Cisco SX350X and SX550X 10GE Switches for SMB

With cloud, virtualization, internet of things, 11ac and Wifi 6, businesses need a high-performance network to support the growing devices, applications and traffic. 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GE) may sound like an overkill for small and midsize businesses (SMB) a few years ago, but today it has increasingly become a necessity.

Cisco Small Business team develops networking technologies tailored for SMB. In 2014, we launched our 1st 10GE switch for SMB market. In 2016, we expanded our 10GE switch line to 8 models. And now, we’re bringing our 10GE offering to the next level.

Cisco SX350X and SX550X 10GE Switches

The new offering includes 11 models – 5 in the 350X series and 6 in 550X series. The port density starts from just 8 ports of 10GE all the way to 52 ports. And there is a diverse selection of 10GE copper, 10GE fiber or mixed config models for different use cases. Most importantly, these switches are now more affordable – perfect for SMB to upgrade their network with limited investment.

The switches also come with a bunch of exciting features including

◆ 4 x combo 10GE uplinks for maximum flexibility

◆ Larger packet buffer to handle burst in traffic

◆ Trustworthy systems including secure boot and run time defense for security

◆ Stackable with existing SG550XG and SG350XG 10G switches for investment protection

Embedded FindIT Probe and Cisco PnP Connect

In the recent software updates, we have introduced some exciting new capabilities. These are all to make the deployment and operation of the switches even more intuitive and secure. Download the software updates for your switches at Cisco Software Central.

Why Cisco 100-500 series switches an ideal option for SMB?

SMB loves 100-500 series switches for the following reasons

◈ Simple, easy to use UI – No CLI skill required

◈ Warranty support model – limited lifetime hardware warranty and software updates

◈ No service contracts or licensing required

◈ Everyday affordable price

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3 Unexpected Ways to Boost IT Efficiency, Uptime and Resolve Issues Quickly

Like the engine is to a race car, IT is at the heart of your business—to keep it running around the clock, deliver new products and services, drive transformation, and extend to new markets globally. So, it’s no surprise two of the top three operational priorities for CIOs include delivering a stable IT and increasing operational efficiencies.

Keeping your IT engine secure and running at optimal performance, while meeting the needs of your business can be a lot to juggle. With limited time and resources, we know your time is best spent on what matters most for your business. In fact, forty-six percent of IT use outsourcing to access skills and thirty-two percent plan to increase their outsourcing spend.

Having the right IT services pit crew in place who not only has the expertise to keep your network up and running but delivers business value is critical. And if something goes wrong, they can resolve it quickly, so you can focus on more important matters.

Here are three things to consider that will enhance efficiency, uptime, and resolve problems quickly to help maintain a stable IT.

1. Have better visibility to operate more efficiently

A key part of keeping everything running smoothly and error-free is knowing exactly what is installed in your network. To do this you have a couple of different options, each with their own considerations. To see what you have running on your network, you have to go through the process of accessing each device manually or running different manual scripts to collect parts of the information needed to create an inventory view. Depending on how many devices you need to manage, the first option is very labor intensive, while the latter can be error prone. If you happen to miss a device, you won’t be able to see that piece of hardware, leaving it open to potential vulnerabilities – and adding more manual efforts to your plate.

Cisco Smart Net Total Care makes having insights in your installed base effortless and automated with its integrated smart capabilities through the Smart Net Total Care portal and collector software which automatically collects device information on Cisco products. Once the collector is installed and configured, it can run automated network discoveries, automated network inventories, and automated inventory uploads back to Cisco. With the click of a mouse you can view your installed base data, helping you manage your Cisco devices easier and operate more efficiently. “The automation on the Smart Net Total Care backend makes a small team’s performance large in executionand impossible to do otherwise,” John Baldwin, IT Manager for Infrastructure Projects and Architectures, Pella.

2. Ensure devices are up-to-date and secure to maximize uptime

Keeping all of the devices in your network secure and up-to-date is critical. Part of preventing any potential vulnerabilities is making sure that your devices are running code that isn’t impacted by known critical bugs or PSIRTs, and is aligned with compliance rules. However, when a problem does arise, you have to access that device, obtain the software version and type, and manually search cisco.com to find any issue associated with that specific product type and software version. When you need to get information on your device’s lifecycle you need to manually look for all of that data using End-of-Life and End-of-Sales product bulletins for each device. If you have thousands of devices you’re tasked with tracking and keeping secure, that is a daunting task.

The Smart Net Total Care portal gives you visibility into your devices, including what IOS you’re running to help ensure you’re using the appropriate code versions across your devices, eliminating the potential for more vulnerabilities. In addition, PSIRT, BUG and automatic lifecycle data correlation and custom reports help you manage your device security more efficiently. “We can see which device are covered and at what service level, so we can appropriately cover devices to minimize risk within our environment,” Operations Manager, Service Provider.

3. Get an accurate view of your devices to resolve issues quickly

When you face a network downtime or device issue, time is always of the essence, especially if you have thousands of devices to maintain. And that’s not just the time spent in finding the number to call support. It starts with having to gather all of the device-level information you need just to open a case to get the problem resolved. That includes the device serial number, product ID, and contract number related to that device. Depending on the kind of inventory view you have (and how comprehensive it is), all of this data could take you a long time to gather. This does nothing but delay your time to issue resolution and take up even more of your limited time.

Smart Net Total Care can help you reduce your time spent in resolving issues drastically by giving you a clear and accurate view of your device information. The portal software does all of the correlation of your collected device serial numbers, product IDs, and contract numbers automatically, which means you don’t have to spend time looking for information. You can also initiate a Technical Assistance Center (TAC) case directly and instantly within the portal if you experience an issue, shortening your time to resolution even more. “Greater visibility across the network allows us tobetter prioritize and plan ahead for updates and replacement of equipment, assuringthe continuous operation of the company.”.

Whether you’re a large or small enterprise, Cisco’s Smart Net Total Care delivers world-class technical support that keeps your organization running smoothly, while driving business value.

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7 Cisco Strategies for Overcoming Common Cloud Adoption Challenges

The recently released Cisco Global Cloud Index study predicts that by 2021, 94 percent of all workloads and compute instances will be processed in the cloud. Public cloud is expected to grow faster than private cloud and by 2021 the majority share of workloads and compute instances will live in the cloud. Many organizations are expected to adopt a hybrid approach to cloud as they transition some workloads and compute instances from internally managed private clouds to externally managed public clouds.

While Cloud represents incredible opportunity for organizations, the cloud services provider (CSP) market continues to be very competitive. CSPs are increasingly focused on specialization and differentiating themselves through their core services portfolio as well as their vertical specific offerings.

CIOs and CTOs are therefore faced with having to determine the right mix of cloud services and integrating the selected services into their existing IT portfolio. Multicloud adoption is a journey and it is one that can be met with numerous challenges.

Below are the 7 common cloud adoption challenges we have observed and strategies to overcome each.

◈ Adopt a common architectural framework that provides a common language between business and IT

◈ Think in terms of the city analogy – establish a governance model that will drive appropriate consideration of multiple perspectives

◈ Align investment decision making so that architectural impact is considered

◈ Plan for changes in your operating model

◈ Consider changes based on the Cisco Operating Model Transformation Map

◈ Execute changes across five key streams

     ◈ Image of Success

     ◈ Change Leadership

     ◈ Metrics

     ◈ Roles & Responsibilities

     ◈ Costing

◈ Shift from traditional waterfall funding methods to more agile funding processes

◈ Understand the TCO for existing and future services

◈ Develop an understanding of potential cloud providers’ cost structure

◈ Understand what hardware internal services are currently running on ANDwhere that equipment is in the lifecycle

◈ Develop a single pain of glass view that showcases current cloud consumption

Your cloud strategy must deliver the right operational and financial outcomes:

◈ Understand and align business and IT priorities

◈ Develop appropriate prioritization / sequencing

◈ Build the value case for your proposed approach

◈ Create an implementation plan that delivers incremental value rapidly

◈ Validate value achievement

◈ Maintain an architectural perspective

◈ Align Technology to the Business Needs

◈ Technical Agility Creates Business Agility

◈ Optimize Tactical Technical Decisions into Strategic Technical Architecture

◈ Over-engineering vs. no engineering, choose carefully

◈ Fail Fast to Win Quick and be ready to adjust

◈ Include a Continuous Improvement Model through a project based Feedback Loop

◈ Make sure you are aligned to your “why” and can assess options based on value

◈ Invest the time to create a migration strategy that contemplates options and tradeoffs rather than just lifting and shifting

◈ Invest some effort to understand or validate your current environment

◈ Understand the elements of a services approach and consider what you can adopt

◈ Ensure your change management plan includes a description of the new value delivery model

◈ Paint a picture of the future state that is broadly understood throughout the organization

◈ Define and share new roles and responsibilities

◈ Anticipate the impact of automation on previous processes and plan for the migration of resources to higher value efforts

◈ Publicize the successful shifting of people to new (and more valuable) roles

Organizations may encounter the need for one, some or all of these strategies based on their adoption roadmap.

Cisco Cloud Advisory Services can help organizations navigate through these challenges and establish an actionable multicloud strategy.

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Five to Thrive in a Disruptive Environment: Part 2

In my previous blog, I introduced the concept of Five to Thrive. These leadership tips can help you navigate a world of astounding change and mind-boggling opportunities. And, hopefully, avoid the risks and threats hiding around every corner.

To learn about the first three—Recognize the Source of Value, Take Action Against Blind Spots, and Stop Failing Fast—visit my previous blog. Today, I’m sharing No’s. 4 and 5 in Five to Thrive: Close the Loop on Technology Investments and Build a Listening Infrastructure.

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5 Reasons Why Customers Swear by Support Services

If you’re on the fence about whether to purchase (or renew) Cisco Support Services, I’ve got a story for you. I recently met with a group of Cisco Account Managers to better understand what customers are looking for in a protection policy.

As the team began to whiteboard all the reasons, I saw a pattern emerge. Every customer claim was about avoiding or reducing risk.

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Five to Thrive in a Disruptive Environment: Part 1

At last count, Gartner tracks more than 450 IoT platforms in the market. And that’s just today. It’s astounding the number of tools and the amount of technology continuously being invented and reinvented. The impacts and the stakes are extremely high.

Nine out of ten companies will experience a revenue stall - and yet only one of those companies will recover and survive. One. This is the highly competitive world we live in. Think about the time it took Wells Fargo 20 years to get to 25 million online banking customers. Now, compare that to SnapChat. They exceeded 200 million customers in four years.

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Transformation and the New Role of Managed Services

If you are a part of or even peripherally connected to an IT organization or managed services provider, you probably hear the word “transformation” daily, perhaps even more frequently.  Like other well-worn terms such as “Digitization,” “DevOps,” or “Agile,” transformation can mean a lot of different things depending on the specific organization, the team, or the individual person saying it or hearing it.  It’s a word that’s used so often that it can sometimes confuse rather than clarify discussions.  While not quite there yet, transformation threatens to enter the pantheon of over-used and “buzzy” corporate-speak that serves only as filler content to obfuscate specificity.

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