Cisco has announced has announced the expansion of their product portfolio targetting SMBs. New technologies include a family of energy-efficient, unmanaged switches and a wireless virtual private network (VPN) firewall that small businesses can easily install themselves, as well as customer premises equipment. Cisco is also launching a Web-based Small Business University, where partners can find all the tools and training materials necessary to develop a successful small business practice, and two new local-language Small Business Support Communities.

"Cisco is focused on building reliable, affordable technologies that small businesses can easily use to connect their business to the world, help secure their business, and communicate more effectively. By categorizing the Cisco Small Business portfolio into connect, secure and communicate, we're helping small businesses select the right technologies to meet their core business needs and even accelerate as the economy recovers." Rick Moran, vice president, Small Business Solutions Marketing, Cisco, said.

The new products and services include:

• Switches: The Cisco 100 Series Switches are a new series of energy-efficient, unmanaged switches that provide wire-speed Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet connectivity for small business offices, out of the box. The Cisco 100 Series Switches are the first series in a broad new portfolio. Other series will be announced over the next year.

• Wireless Firewall: The Cisco RV 120W Wireless-N VPN Firewall for small businesses with 20 or fewer employees.

* The device includes built-in high-speed 802.11n wireless access as well as the ability to link multiple offices and remote employees to the business network via VPN.

* The device also allows the business to segment the network to control access to files and applications and enable secure wireless guest access.

• Customer Premises Equipment for Service Providers: The Cisco SRP 526W and SRP 527W Services Ready Platforms are new ADSL2+ models in the Cisco SPR 500 Series that enable service providers to deliver data, voice and other services to small businesses to help them connect, secure and communicate.

• Cisco has introduced a new Web-based Small Business University, which includes new and updated partner tools and training offerings to help partners develop their sales, technical and business knowledge.

Product Pricing and Availability

• Cisco 100 Series Switches list prices range from $57 to $413 USD, depending on the model. The switches are currently available worldwide.

• Cisco RV 120W Wireless-N VPN Firewall is listed at $189 USD.

• Cisco SRP 526W and SRP 527W Services Ready Platforms are listed at $300 USD.

• All products are available to small businesses via Cisco Partners and Resellers.