Empowering the network
Edge with Cisco and ArmAugust, 2018

Solution Brief

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The Edge Takes Center StageAs part of the ongoing digital transformation across multipleindustries, we are witnessing essential changes at thenetwork edge. Today, the enterprise edge is increasingly
software-driven, as well as functionally less well-defined. Itsevolving role is ushering in a dynamic innovation cycle.
Gartner recently spotlighted the importance of the edge in “Top 10 Strategic Technology
Trends for 2018:”“Connectivity and latency challenges, bandwidth constraints and greater functionality embedded
at the edge favors distributed models. Enterprises should begin using edge design patterns in theirinfrastructure architectures — particularly for those with significant IoT elements.” 1“No matter what the setup
looks like, the influx ofadditional data–which willneed to be processed inreal-time–will drive theneed for edge computing. It
allows for faster processingof data, reducing latency
and improving customerexperiences.”

The widely anticipated rollout of 5G is also driving new expectations, mandating an increasingneed to handle data and extract intelligence at the edge. The rise of 5G coincides with an
explosion of connected devices and systems associated with the Internet of Things (IoT).
“No matter what the setup looks like, the influx of additional data — which will need to be processedin real-time—will drive the need for edge computing. It allows for faster processing of data, reducing
latency and improving customer experiences.” 2This solution brief discusses how the Cisco ISR1000 Series – a scalable, feature-rich servicesbased routing platform utilizing efficient compute technology from Arm – helps enterprises andMobile Network Operators (MNOs) extend and enhance the capabilities of today’s networks,
while simultaneously laying the groundwork for a 5G-ready edge.

Enabling a Heterogeneous Edge
As 5G and other innovative technologies emerge, business outcomes will be more closely tied
to mobility. Computing habits are changing, and the mobile office is emerging as the dominantmodel across industries. People are using mobile devices more than desktops and workstations
not just for entertainment, but increasingly for performing most of their work functions as well.
We’re seeing the shift reflected in escalating investment in leading mobile platforms, such as
Android and iOS.
Today’s hardware manufacturers are pursuing design and development for mobile application
environments as a high priority. Microsoft’s partnership with Qualcomm to launch Windows
on Arm as part of its “Always Connected Devices” strategy is positioned to take advantage of
connectivity that is increasingly reliant on highly-available cellular networks instead of Wi-Fi.
Arm is the only viable technology that can deliver the performance efficiency required to meetincreased demands of endpoints combined with the network’s access layers.
1 www.gartner.com/smarterwithgartner/gartner-top-10strategic-technology-trends-for-2018/
2 www.networkworld.com/article/3255426/lan-wan/why-5g-isbringing-edge-computing-and-automation-front-and-center.html

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In the case of wireline networks, data center operators and enterprise network OEMs aredeveloping and deploying platforms that have built-in cloud connectivity, through virtualized
software runtimes optimized for the edge.
Such platforms that are being deployed downstream on the network edge are expected to do
more, securely. An effective edge device should offer functionality beyond fast, efficient routing,and be capable of hosting application services such as SD-WAN. Today’s expensive, powerhungry compute solutions simply cannot address requirements for a scaled-out enterprise edge.
A Partnership of Two Industry Leaders
To deliver the power and performance that service providers and enterprise organizations
require at the edge, Cisco and the Arm partner ecosystem have collaborated to deliver a highly
capable services platform, the Cisco ISR 1000 Series.
Cisco® 1000 Series Integrated Services Routers (ISRs) with Cisco IOS® XE Software combine“With its Cisco-based solution,Verizon is simplifying its
current configuration forbetter control of upfront andongoing management costs.”

Internet access, comprehensive security, and wireless services (LTE Advanced 3.0 wireless WAN
and 802.11ac wireless LAN) in a single, high-performance device. The routers are easy to deploy
and manage with cutting-edge, scalable, multicore data and control plane capabilities.
Cisco 1000 Series ISRs are powered by multiple 64-bit Arm processors with separate cores
allocated for the data plane, the data plane scheduler, and the control plane. Their highperformance allows organizations to take advantage of broadband and LTE network speeds whilerunning secure, concurrent data, voice, video, and wireless services.
The ability of the Cisco ISR 1000 Series to host virtual services makes it ideal for deployment asCustomer Premises Equipment (CPE) that will usher in a new era of a Software-Defined Branch.
Their Arm processor’s powerful combination of performance and efficiency enables full-feature
support for Cisco’s industry-standard IOS-XE network operating system to be deployed at theenterprise and service provider edge. Furthermore, this architecture provides a robust platformfor extending the Software-Defined WAN into some of the smallest remote sites.
A World-Class Connectivity Solution for Verizon RetailTo ensure a consistently reliable experience online and at its 1,700 stores, Verizon deployed asolution based on the ISR 1000. This advanced LTE solution provides up to twice the throughput
that was available previously. Working with the Verizon Wireless Private Network, the combination
provides the solution the retailer needed, along with encrypted VPN traffic for strong security.

With its Cisco-based solution, Verizon is simplifying its current configuration for better control ofupfront and ongoing management costs.

3The Latest Evolution in a Broad Portfolio
With the groundbreaking combination of the Arm architecture with Cisco IOS-XE software,customers can now choose from a wide range of Cisco routers to match whatever their network
demands. With software and features that are consistent with the ISR 4000 Series and ASR 1000Series, the ISR 1000 Series provides a reliable, feature-rich platform, and a strong foundation
for delivering a Software Defined WAN (SD-WAN). The platform’s subscription-based model
provides tremendous flexibility for highly distributed organizations.
Building on top of IOS-XE routing platforms, Cisco SD-WAN provides an easy-to-deploy solutionof rich network services that don’t require multiple degrees and certifications to deploy andmanage. Security is a given with encrypted links by default.
The solution also gives organizations the ability to match application requirements to the mostappropriate WAN circuit, recapturing the idle bandwidth in expensive backup circuits. The
result is unmatched integrity, reliability, and application quality-of-experience. Enabled by the“Watch for continued
innovation in this spaceas these leaders continue
collaborative efforts tobuild solutions that power
tomorrow’s network edge.”compelling performance and value delivered by Arm technology, efficient platforms such as theISR 1000 Series offer a strong foundation for SD-WAN deployments.
Extending the Edge with Cisco and Arm
Cisco began developing the latest offering in its ISR Series as part of its initiative to drive its
Linux-based Network Operating System (IOS-XE) deeper into its enterprise routing portfolio.
The solution would require multi-core CPUs that would provide the right balance between
performance and power efficiency to create “fan-less” systems deployed at the enterpriseand the Mobile Network Operator edge.
SoCs based on Arm technology were found to be a perfect fit, as it enabled power-efficientdesigns offering unprecedented throughput and scalability—while maintaining or improvingon the system price points needed and wanted by the market.
The flexible technology supports a broad choice of hardware and platform ecosystems, including
the Marvell® ARMADA® 7000 and 8000 Series.

Conclusion
Cisco, Arm, and its partner ecosystem have collaborated to enrich and extend the service
provider and enterprise edge, thus helping organizations stay ahead of the ongoing digitaltransformation. Watch for continued innovation in this space, as these leaders continue
collaborative efforts to build solutions that power tomorrow’s network edge.

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