CPUs are vital parts of a business IT infrastructure. But, what do we mean when we talk about a “Cisco CPU”? And how does Cisco equipment’s CPU performance affect your data center?
Answer these questions and learn how to optimize your legacy Cisco networking equipment with Evernex’s simple guide.
Cisco CPUs and legacy hardware
✅ Cisco does not manufacture its own CPUs, using processors from other brands.
✅The CPUs in Cisco networking equipment affect overall performance and reliability.
✅TPM for legacy Cisco hardware reduces your business costs and environmental footprint.
What Is a “Cisco CPU”?
In this section, we will delve into what a CPU is, what it does and why Cisco CPU is a misnomer.
Who is Cisco?
Cisco is a multinational provider of IT networking equipment for enterprise use. The brand is an industry leader, having built a reputation for high performance, security and innovation. Cisco’s main hardware products include:
- Routers
- Switches
- Firewalls
- Wireless Access Points
Cisco also makes software, such as networking, security and cloud-based solutions.
What is a CPU?
A central processing unit (CPU) of a computer or a server is a vital component of any IT system. CPUs process data and interpret and execute instructions. Essentially, CPUs make it possible for data centers and their components to complete functions. Here are some of the main functions of a CPU in a business IT environment:
- Data processing
- Workload management
- Mathematical calculations
- Virtualization support
- Memory management
- I/O operations
Cisco CPU: what does it mean?
The term Cisco CPU is a bit of a misnomer because Cisco does not actually manufacture CPUs. Like many hardware manufacturers, Cisco uses processors made by other brands, such as Intel and AMD.
When we use the phrase “Cisco CPU”, we are not referring to a CPU manufactured by Cisco. Rather, users generally mean the central processing unit inside a piece of Cisco hardware.
Cisco CPU metrics may measure the performance or usage of the CPU inside a Cisco firewall, even if the CPU is from Intel.
Why Cisco CPU Performance Matters
The strong and reliable performance of a CPU is essential to the smooth-running of Cisco’s network equipment. Cisco’s hardware, including routers and switches, rely heavily on CPUs. In this context, processors are responsible for tasks such as:
- packet handling
- routing
- management tasks
These tasks are vital in a business IT network. The capacity of a CPU to handle enterprise-grade workloads is also important. This is because high CPU utilization can lead to issues such as dropped packets, poor Quality of Service (QoS) or downtime. To avoid these problems, businesses need a processor efficient and robust enough to deal with their usage and requirements.
Questions about Cisco CPUs?
If your legacy Cisco hardware needs support or a part replacement, or you just have a question, talk to an Evernex expert now.
Common Cisco CPU Issues
Cisco equipment is popular amongst businesses for its excellent quality. However, all components, including CPUs, can still suffer from certain issues.
Here are some of the common problems CPs can face in a data center environment:
- CPU spikes. These in turn can happen because of:
- Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks
- Misconfigurations
- Routing loops
- Failure or slow performance in aging devices.
- IOS bugs which cause high CPU usage.
These issues can have serious knock-on consequences for your business IT infrastructure, affecting communications, resource management and sharing. Failure can cause wider system downtime, which disrupts productivity, loses income and can lead to data loss. Consistent, expert maintenance is necessary to keep all components of data center hardware in top condition. This is especially true when dealing with older models.
CPU Support Options
Strong support is crucial for any data center, especially for an element as important as a CPU. Your business has several options as to how to manage its legacy hardware maintenance. Here are the principal choices:
| Support option | What is it? |
|---|---|
| OEM support | While your device is under warranty, the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) should offer support and updates. In this case, the OEM is Cisco. However, once the item reaches its End-of-Life (EOL), the OEM phases out and then withdraws all support. Contract renewals are possible, but subject to elevated prices. |
| Third-Party Maintenance | TPM providers such as Evernex expertly support, maintain and optimize business data centers to extend their useful lifespan. Third-Party Maintenance also covers out-of-warranty devices, providing a cost-effective alternative to renewing OEM support. |
| Internal IT team | Employing an internal team of IT engineers is an option which ensures service when you need it. However, many companies find that an internal team is not cost-effective long term. They are increasingly outsourcing maintenance services as and when they need them. |
| Refurbished replacements | When Cisco hardware fails or does not meet your business’s needs, you may need to replace it with another. Certified refurbished hardware components offer the performance and reliability of new models at much lower prices. Part-replacement also avoids the expense of overhauling an entire IT system. |
Cisco hardware support by Evernex
Evernex is a trusted provider of Third-Party Maintenance services for businesses around the world. Our teams of expert engineers have extensive multi-vendor and multi-brand experience. We can therefore offer a single point of contact for data centers with multi-brand hardware or legacy devices.
Here are some of the top benefits of partnering with Evernex to support your Cisco CPU:
| Benefits of Evernex | What does it mean for you? |
|---|---|
| 24/7 availability | Our skilled technicians are available at any hour of the day or night to assist you with problems or queries. |
| Spare-as-a-Service (SPaaS)TM | In case of an irreparable failure or damage, we replace the components with certified refurbished spare parts through our SPaaSTM service. |
| Buy-back program | We purchase your unwanted data center hardware, helping you to recuperate part of your investment. This also allows us to promote a sustainable, circular IT economy. |
| Expert corrective maintenance | Evernex engineers provide efficient, knowledgeable and compliant maintenance services. These include inspections, diagnostics, repairs and replacements. |
| Global reach | Evernex is present in over 165 countries around the world, so we can assist your business, wherever your IT is based. |
Refurbished Cisco Hardware with Evernex
When you need to replace a Cisco CPU module, choosing a refurbished device offers a range of benefits. Above all:
- Refurbishing hardware extends its lifecycle, avoiding it ending up in landfill as e-waste.
- Refurbished spare part replacements also extend the lifespan of your critical infrastructure. This means you do not have to refresh your entire system.
- Restored CPUs offer significant cost savings in comparison to brand new products.
- Reputable providers thoroughly test and certify their refurbished products to ensure performance and reliability.
- Finding a refurbished replacement component for legacy hardware may be easier than finding a new one.
Evernex has earned a strong reputation across the world for top-quality, certified refurbished hardware, even for legacy devices. Our range of refurbished CPUs for Cisco hardware is available through our online shop.
Questions about Cisco CPUs?
If your legacy Cisco hardware needs support or a part replacement, or you just have a question, talk to an Evernex expert now.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes high CPU usage on a Cisco router?
High CPU utilization on a router can be the result of issues including security problems, network traffic, misconfigurations and software incompatibility.
Does Cisco make CPUs?
No, Cisco does not manufacture processors itself. Instead, the brand uses CPUs built by other companies, such as Intel or AMD. A Cisco CPU normally refers to the processor inside a Cisco device.
What is legacy hardware?
Legacy IT equipment refers to older models which may no longer be on the market brand-new.