Reliable core network services at branch offices are required to ensure application availability for business processes. For instance, even minor interruptions in DNS services may lead to lost transactions at a retail store or at a bank branch office resulting in lost revenues and affecting employee productivity. Current solutions for providing core network services force trade-offs in performance and availability in order to gain easier management.


Infoblox vNIOS for Cisco consoli­dates core network services such as DNS, DHCP and IPAM and others onto the Cisco Integrated Services Router (ISR) running the Application Extension Platform (AXP) module. The integrated solution deliv­ers core network services locally at branch offices and provides centralized management that automates repetitive tasks resulting in following benefits:

• Performance benefits of local core network service delivery, including DNS, DHCP and IP address management (IPAM)
• Local survivability for branch office networks
• Centralized management of core network services with automated deployment of Infoblox vNIOS software, including scheduled upgrades, software revert, backup and restore, disaster recovery, and more
• Reduction in administrative effort, errors and downtime with powerful, built-in IP address management (IPAM) using a graphical user interface, template-based configuration, automated error prevention, and comprehensive, real-time visibility and reporting
• Savings in branch office space and power with Infoblox vNIOS™ software deployed on a Cisco NME blade installed in a Cisco ISR router
• No additional rack space at the branch required

As a result of this AXP Platform partnership between Cisco and Infoblox, Infoblox vNIOS software can run on Cisco ISR routers, increasing control over distributed branch network services while reducing branch hardware requirements. As a result highly distributed networks can be centrally managed, while core network services like DNS/DHCP and IPAM are automated. The result is a highly available and dynamic branch office infrastructure that can keep up with today’s demands, while reducing TCO.

The Cisco® Application eXtension Platform (AXP) extends the integration technology capability of integrated services routers to the next level. It enables third parties such as independent software vendors, systems integrators, managed service providers, and large enterprise customers to extend the functionality of the router by providing their own value-added integrated services customized to the individual business.

Cisco's AXP is the foundation for a new class of network-embedded applications and solutions. These applications natively use routing capabilities and real-time network information and conditions in the network by interacting with routing functionality. The Cisco AXP changes how these applications are deployed, integrated, and managed by delivering an integration capability for branch applications. AXP truly uses the network as a platform and enhances the performance of the application by interacting with common network services such as authentication, security, and routing to applications.