February 5, 2007 -- Cisco recently introduced its Catalyst 3560 and Catalyst 2960 compact switches, which the company says are designed to deliver optimized security and advanced services for small-density deployments "outside the wiring closet." The small form-factor switches incorporate Gigabit Ethernet, Fast Ethernet and PoE configurations, and are designed for use in wiring and space-constrained environments.
The company says the switches' small size, durable metal shell, fan-free silent operation, easy wall or under-desk mounting capability, and physical security lock make them ideally suited for deployment in meeting rooms, classrooms, micro-branch offices and a variety of other settings.
According to a press release, Aida Cruises, based in Germany, is installing the Cisco Catalyst 3560 compact switch in brand-new cruise ships to help enable Internet access, IP telephony and an entertainment system for audio and video on demand as well as online shopping and the scheduling of cruise activities. As the Catalyst 3560 switches also support PoE to help enable converged voice, video and data services, each will be deployed in small hall closets serving two cabins per switch, thereby significantly lowering the amount of cabling required.
"Cisco's new line of compact switches is the ideal basis for our mobile infotainment solution that we deliver to cruisers aboard Aida cruise ships," comments Dr. Jörg Liebe, director of voice integration products at Lufthansa Systems, a solutions provider for Aida Cruises. "With an entertainment system offering cruising ship entertainment and special event scheduling, cruisers will have more opportunities to customize their shipboard activities and make the most of their vacations, while also enjoying greater online access and IP telephony to stay connected as needed."