Cisco TAC Web Site Expands Online Support Applications Line-up

Business Wire, June 26, 2000

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 26, 2000

Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC) Launches Compatibility Advisor (Catalyst 5000) and Releases New Version of Output Interpreter

Cisco Systems' commitment to providing high quality online technical support continued today with the Cisco Technical Assistance Center's (TAC) announcement of its Compatibility Advisor (Catalyst 5000) tool. The latest addition to the TAC Web site's growing list of online technical support applications, Compatibility Advisor enables users of Cisco's Catalyst 5000 switches to determine the compatibility of their network hardware configuration with a current or target version of Cisco's Catalyst Supervisor Engine Operating System (CatOS) software. The Cisco TAC also announced an updated version of Output Interpreter, another of the TAC's popular online technical support applications. The advanced reasoning capabilities of both Compatibility Advisor and Output Interpreter combine TAC engineer-level support with the real-time accessibility of Internet-based support tools.

"As the demand for Internet-based services grows, our customers often require significant network enhancements to keep up with the rise in network traffic," said Steve Gordon, director of the Cisco Technical Assistance Center. "Increasing a network's size and complexity can be a complicated process, and careful planning is necessary to ensure future network integrity. Compatibility Advisor was designed to aid our Catalyst 5000 customers in making the right decisions in regard to increasing their network's capacity and functionality."

Early adopters of the TAC Compatibility Advisor include Motorola Computer Group. "In our experience, the Cisco TAC Compatibility Advisor is a good reference for purchase planning and implementation, as well as a useful tool to help ensure integrity of current network configurations," said Mike Brown, network specialist, Motorola Computer Group. "This application helps limit the amount of downtime and loss of productivity when performing hardware and software upgrades to our networks."

The Compatibility Advisor allows Catalyst 5000 users to enter a current or planned chassis configuration and determines both the recommended and minimum versions of the CatOS software necessary for the entire hardware configuration. Compatibility Advisor can also apprise users of the enhancement path for software, with appropriate cautionary flags and file notices. Furthermore, Compatibility Advisor can determine which version of the CatOS has the desired features a user is looking for and advise the user of any necessary hardware enhancements these features will require. The Cisco Compatibility Advisor (Catalyst 5000) is now available in the "Tools" section of the Technical Assistance Center's Web site, located at www.cisco.com/tac.> Beyond providing support for Cisco's popular Catalyst 5000 switch, future versions of the Compatibility Advisor are planned for use with other models in the Catalyst family of switches.

Along with the release of Compatibility Advisor (Catalyst 5000), the Cisco TAC also announced a new version of Output Interpreter, an online tool that helps users quickly troubleshoot router issues by diagnosing router "show" commands and delivering a customized report with possible solutions. The latest version of Output Interpreter features new "show" commands for Frame Relay, in-depth Frame Relay and Voice in addition to the tools already extensive database. Future planned releases include digital subscriber line (DSL), in-depth Access and in-depth LAN Switching.

A recipient of numerous industry awards, the Cisco TAC Web site is a fast, efficient way for customers to access the technical information needed to manage their networks. The Cisco TAC Web site can be accessed via its URL: www.cisco.com/tac.> About Cisco Systems

Cisco Systems (Nasdaq:CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet. Cisco news and information are available at http://www.cisco.com.

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