Should I use Cisco's Video Surveillance in my Router (ISR)?
by John Honovich, IPVM posted on Oct 16, 2008 About John Contact JohnCisco offers a DVR/NVR to be plugged into their office routers. Despite the appealing concept, Cisco's IP Video in a router solution will be uncompetitive and unattractive to most customers. The offering has serious flaws in features, applicability and pricing. (Disclaimer: I have previously written that Cisco has a weak video surveillance strategy. I think this is an example of how Cisco is focused on maximizing its network products rather than solving video surveillance problems.)
This reports overviews the offering, its advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages
- Eliminate Security Systems Integrator
- Attractive to customers with existing ISR routers that can support these modules
- Attractive to customers who are evaluating purchasing new ISR routers
Disadvantages
- More expensive than almost any NVR/DVR/IP Video software solution on the market
- Less Flexible / Expandable than software only IP Video solutions
- Mediocre Video Management capabilities compared to today's top solutions
- Deployable on only a small percentage on routers deployed
- Not realistic to deploy new routers simply to add video surveillance
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