Communications Infrastructure
NIC Partners understands that all network technologies begin with a sound and robust Communications Infrastructure. This architecture provides a secure foundation that is optimized for Unified Communications, data and wireless networking. The right infrastructure design and implementation supports border elements for easy and cost-effective connectivity between independent VOIP networks and telephony systems. Our solutions include: routers, switches, voice gateways, border elements, switches with inline power and voice servers.
Switches with Inline Power
LAN switches (AKA Ethernet Switches or Data Switches) are the basic building blocks of your UC Infrastructure. As your organization demands improved application performance, support and scalability, the switched architecture becomes more critical for your success. Today’s LAN switches are exponentially more sophisticated that just a few years ago and are used for real-time collaboration for Unified Communications. Reliability, intelligence and high-speed connectivity are key factors in building your LAN infrastructure. Cisco Systems LAN switches provide:
- Integrated security to protect, alleviate and recover from network intrusion
- Provide network availability for high-uptime and network consistency
- Simplify management for configuration, troubleshooting and management – thus reducing operating costs for your organization
- Voice and Video ready with integrated comprehensive Auto-Quality-Of-Service
- Wide range of models: stackable, standalone and modular
Cisco Catalyst switches offer best-in-class performance and carries 90% of the market share for a reason: unsurpassed value. Contact NIC Partners today to discuss how switches with inline power help create a sound UC Infrastructure. Switch models include: Catalyst Express 520/500 Series, Catalyst 6500 Series, Catalyst 4900 Series, Catalyst 4500 Series, Catalyst 3750/3750-E Series, Catalyst 3560/3560-E Series, Catalyst 3550 Series, Catalyst 2975 Series, Catalyst 2960 Series, Catalyst 2955 Series, Catalyst 2950 Series, Catalyst 2940 Series and Catalyst 2350 Series. Many of these switches provide inline power, enhanced images for layer-3 capability, redundancy, and data center compatibility. See our white paper section for more information on switches.
Cisco EnergyWise is available for the entire Cisco Catalyst switching portfolio. With EnergyWise, your organization can reduce energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) footprint. Cisco EnergyWise monitors the power of all Cisco network-connected devices, from Power over Ethernet (PoE) devices to IP-enabling building controllers (Cisco Mediator).
Voice Gateways
While today’s Unified Communications solutions utilize Internet Protocol to work the magic, the world is still full of disparate networks. When these networks collide, everyone needs a router or gateway. Cisco Systems wrote the book on how effective routing happens, and in the world of voice, their gateways are still the gold standard for effective translation of PSTN voice to Internet Protocol. From service providers to organizations of all sizes, NIC Partners can help you to understand how to get voice traffic in and out of your network.
For those organizations with high-bandwidth needs, Cisco’s 7500 and 7200 series routers
are used worldwide for handling DS3’s. Cisco’s Integrated Service Routers (ISR) is the mainstay of the router/gateway industry and includes Cisco’s 3800, 3900, 2800, 2900 and 1800 series ISR’s. With modular application functionality, many organizations utilize the specialty IOS solutions on ISR’s including: voice, security, wireless, and modular architecture. Cisco’s 800 Series Routers are perfect for small-office/home-office environments and now include security and wireless functionality.
Additionally, Cisco Systems offers a variety of specialty gateways, including: Cisco AS5800/5400 Series Universal Gateways, IAD2400/880 Series Integrated Access Devices, Cisco MGX 8880 Media Gateways and Cisco VG200 Series Gateways. See our white paper section for more information on voice gateways.
Voice Servers
Cisco Media Convergence Servers (MCS) provide high availability to host dozens of
applications within the Cisco Unified Communications platform. Based on both IBM and HP standards, these servers are highly customizable and scale to fit the needs of both the organization and application. When your team chooses an MCS server for Cisco applications, you can be assured that Cisco has tailored the operating system and application for a perfect experience. Depending on the application, Cisco MCS servers can run on either a Microsoft or LINUX environment.
Cisco MCS servers can be used for most Unified Communications applications and include products like: Cisco MCS 7815/7825/7835/7845/7828 and 7816 models. See our white paper section for more information on voice servers.
Network Security
NIC Partners takes a holistic approach to all aspects of security in an organization. Network Security involves an organized methodology to protect the integrity of your network. Our solutions center around the Cisco Self-Defending Network customized for your organization's security needs.
Intrusion Detection/Prevention and Firewalls: NIC Partners features Cisco's line-up of Adaptive Security Appliances (ASA) which provide sophisticated mechanisms to maintain a robust security barrier where it matters most. Cisco ASA 5500 Series Adaptive Security Appliances are purpose-built solutions that integrate world-class firewall, unified communications security, VPN, intrusion prevention (IPS), and content security services in a unified platform. The series builds upon proven technologies from Cisco PIX® 500 Series Security Appliances, Cisco IPS 4200 Series Sensors, and Cisco VPN 3000 Series Concentrators. Available in a wide-range of configurations, these work-horses are unmatched in the industry.
IronPort Email and Web Security Solution: NIC Partners is a certified Cisco IronPort Partner offering advanced protection for both the web and email. An appliance and subscription service based solution, IronPort continues to lead the market by advancing their technologies before a problem is found. Try an IronPort appliance at NO RISK for 30-days to see how you ever managed a network without one! Contact NIC Partners for details.
Advanced Security Solutions: NIC Partners offers the full range of Cisco Security solutions for your organization, including: Cisco Security Agent (CSA), Cisco NAC Appliance, Cisco Catalyst 6500 Firewall Services Module (FWSM), Cisco Security Monitoring, Analysis and Response System (MARS), and a wide-range of Physical Security offerings (see our Physical Security page).
Data Center Solutions
NIC Partners knows Data Centers! We understand the importance of high-speed fabric switching, storage and blade server aggregation. Virtualization is becoming a mainstream technology and NIC Partners has the technical solutions from Cisco Systems to augment your existing infrastructure or design your next Data Center. We feature turn-key designs including: Data Center architectural design, Power and Cooling Planning, Racking and Raised Floors, 10GB/FibreChannel/FastEtheret Switching, Top-of-rack Switching, Storage Array Networks (SAN), Data Center Project Management and more!
Cisco NEXUS Switching: When it comes to getting throughput and bandwidth through your core Data Center, consider evaluating Cisco's Nexus Switch Series of products. NIC Partners can help you design a fabric switching architecture with Nexus 5000 or 7000 series switches. These unique solutions offer blazing backplane speeds, top-of-rack options and a wide variety of aggregation offerings.
Cisco Unified Computing Systems (UCS): Are you virtualizing your Data Center? Looking at HP or IBM blade servers? Now is the time to evaluate Cisco's UCS blade servers which break memory limitations and provide a seamless IP integration into your existing Cisco Network. Looking for a partner who knows Data Center server requirements? Contact NIC Partners to discuss Cisco's B-Series and 5100 series solutions. Want more? How about UCS blade servers on a WSCA contract! NIC Partners can deliver the full Cisco product line via our WSCA contract for those organizations who qualify.
Cabling/Power/Racking/Cooling
NIC Partners is your partner for layer-one network architecture. We staff a full-service cabling department utilizing some of the best-known specifications in the industry (AMP, Berktek, Ortronics, Panduit, Siemens and many others). Whether it’s adding a dozen new data home-runs or splicing fiber, we dispatch throughout Southern California to support your cabling needs. Together, with our partners, we can handle any size job including specialty applications, fiber technologies, conduit work, data center builds, blown fiber, inside plant and outside plant.
As an APC Elite Partner, NIC Partners designs and implements power and cooling solutions for your organization. We understand how to properly size Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS) and consider future loads and capacity planning. We can scale UPS and battery backup solutions and offer: InfraStruXure, Back-UPS, Smart-UPS, Symmetra, Symmetra PX/MW, PowerChute, UPS Network Management Cards, Rack Power Distribution, Row Power Distribution, Room Power Distribution, Transfer Switches, NetShelter SX, Specialty Enclosures, Open Frame Racks, LCD Monitors/KVM Switches, Room/Row/Rack Cooling, Chilled Water & Direct Expansion Cooling Distribution, NetBotz Security & Environmental Appliances and Sensors/Cameras/Licenses and Accessories. Please see our white papers site for additional information on the full line of APC products and solutions.