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Cisco Turns Routers Into Linux App Servers

Posted by Soulskill on from the tux-service dept.

symbolset writes "InternetNews is reporting that Cisco's new Application eXtension Platform turns several models of Cisco switches into Linux application servers. With certified libraries in C, Java and Perl, developers will be able to use a downloadable SDK to build their apps. The AXP server is just another module in a Cisco switch running Cisco's own derivation of a modern Linux distro (Kernel 2.6.x) specifically hardened to run on that particular hardware. Modules will include up to 1.4-GHz Intel Pentiums with 2 GB RAM and a 160 GB hard drive."

3 of 121 comments (clear)

  1. AXP environment require an authorization key by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    check this out

    Q. How does one develop an application for the AXP service module?

    A. Both existing and newly developed applications must be ported to the AXP runtime environment by packaging them using the AXP SDK, which ships with the AXP hardware and software. The SDK package tool creates installation packages that can be loaded on the AXP blade. AXP developers are authorized by Cisco using the AXP Development Partner Program and require an authorization key in order to perform packaging of software.

    http://www.cisco.com/en/US/prod/collateral/routers/ps9701/qa_c67_463943.html

  2. Copycat of 3Com OSN by dwenger · · Score: 5, Informative

    Looks like Cisco is copying a 3Com innovation that has been available for over a year. 3Com OSM's are not only available for their routers, but also their 5500G switches.

    http://www.3com.com/osn/

  3. Clear the Confusion by greendeath · · Score: 5, Informative

    Disclaimer- I work for Cisco as an Entrprise Sales Engineer

    Lets clear a few terms up first-
    Switch- Handles moving packets between endpoints on a single IP Subnet (layer 2 Device)

    Router- Moves packets between different IP Subnets (Layer 3 Device)

    Firewall- Applies security rules to routed packets

    While the line is blurring physically between theses functions, as alot of switches can route and routers can switch, the logical functions are still the same. Your Standard Linksys/Dlink/netgear is a switch/router/firewall combined.

    The AXP platform is a module that fits into our ISR router family, NOT into any switches.

    Yes, the space in a router is valuable, that is exactly why companies want to get as much value as possible out of it. Most companies are looking for ways to consolidate and cetralize to reduce costs and ease management while adding features and functionality. Virtualization is the buzzword of the day.

    Applications- Think about a company that has 200 remote offices that each have a server, if that server could be collapsed into a router blade (in combination with some other cisco technology like WAAS, that is possible) you reduce management, hardware and maintenance costs, electricity costs (green is also the word of the day) and provide the necessary services integrated into the heart of the network. Pretty cool.

    It may be a little bit of "If you build it, they will come" so we built it, now let the programmers loose, change the game and build something cool.