Cisco 900 Series Integrated Services Routers (ISR) vs Cisco Cloud Services Router 1000V Series (CSR 1000V)

Likelihood to Recommend

No problems with any of the Cisco 900 Series [Integrated Services Routers] (ISR) platform features within the enterprise environment. Because these devices are running a version of IOS XE as opposed to traditional IOS, some of the more 'basic' configurations can become more complex. In the end the 900 series is still able to provide the required functionality, but there is a learning curve.

Read full review

Verified User

Engineer in Engineering

Telecommunications Company, 11-50 employees

View all 2 answers on this topic

If you just need to do simple communication to Azure such as smb and rdp sessions then the Cisco Cloud Services Router 1000V Series is overkill. If you need to setup multiple mesh vpn connections to existing ISRs and have complicated routing with multiple protocols then Cisco Cloud Services Router makes that setup much easier and less work to maintain and troubleshoot.

Read full review

Ryan Lee

Enterprise Infrastructure Supervisor

KLJCivil Engineering, 501-1000 employees

View all 4 answers on this topic

Pros

Works great as a full-featured but small router for remote sites
Can handle more traffic than it even advertises!
Well priced option for smaller or less critical sites

Read full review

Verified User

Manager in Information Technology

Information Technology & Services Company, 501-1000 employees

View all 2 answers on this topic

Extends our network to a private cloud
Gives us more security
Provides more efficient connectivity

Read full review

Jon Hersh

Owner

Homewatch CareGiversHealth, Wellness and Fitness, 51-200 employees

View all 4 answers on this topic

Cons

Pay as you grow model of licensing, but a pain to implement
Service impacting license application
Configuration complexity

Read full review

Verified User

Engineer in Engineering

Telecommunications Company, 11-50 employees

View all 2 answers on this topic

Would be nice if the license expiration simply limited throughput rather than removing features.
Better compatibility with VMWare player would be nice. Specifically, making sure you open the serial console almost immediately after turning on the VM.

Read full review

Verified User

Professional in Information Technology

Hospital & Health Care Company, 10,001+ employees

View all 4 answers on this topic

Alternatives Considered

Cisco Catalyst Switches are technically faster and easier to deploy, but don't provide the same flexibility when it comes to 10Gbps services or advanced routing. There are corner cases where having IOS XE on the 900 series ISRs provides the functionality required for complex applications where the Catalyst can not. Having the option to scale the number of active ports on the 900 series ISR helps in keeping costs at an appropriate level.

Read full review

Verified User

Engineer in Engineering

Telecommunications Company, 11-50 employees

View all 2 answers on this topic

They are great! Even with the price point it is totally worth it.

Read full review

Verified User

Engineer in Information Technology

Professional Training & Coaching Company, 1001-5000 employees

View all 4 answers on this topic

Return on Investment

Lots of money saved in downgrading from less useful and older full-sized routers at small sites
Time saved having to learn new commands (web GUI works great)
Saves time training staff to manage them

Read full review

Verified User

Manager in Information Technology

Information Technology & Services Company, 501-1000 employees

View all 2 answers on this topic

We were able to quickly and efficiently setup connections to Azure.
We outsource our network team so having a single platform makes our support costs less.
We had no need to redesign our existing on-prem network to allow mesh connection to Azure.

Read full review

Ryan Lee

Enterprise Infrastructure Supervisor

KLJCivil Engineering, 501-1000 employees

View all 4 answers on this topic

Pricing Details

General

Free Trial

—

Free/Freemium Version

—

Premium Consulting/Integration Services

—

Entry-level set up fee?

No

General

Free Trial

—

Free/Freemium Version

—

Premium Consulting/Integration Services

—

Entry-level set up fee?

No