Cisco AIM-VPN/SSL-3
DES/3DES/AES/SSL VPN Encryption/Compression
Product Highlights
What's Included
When VPN traffic volumes grow, relying on your router's main CPU for encryption becomes a bottleneck that degrades overall performance. The Cisco AIM-VPN/SSL-3 is an Advanced Integration Module (AIM) purpose-built to offload IPsec and SSL VPN encryption processing from the host router's CPU, delivering hardware-accelerated security for Cisco Integrated Services Routers.
Designed for the Cisco 3700 and 3800 Series ISR platforms, the AIM-VPN/SSL-3 provides hardware-based IPsec encryption at up to 190–210 Mbps on the Cisco 3845 and 160–185 Mbps on the Cisco 3825. For SSL Web VPN, the module delivers up to 26 Mbps with a maximum of 200 concurrent users on the 3845. It supports DES, 3DES, and AES (128/192/256) encryption algorithms, along with SSL VPN termination, IPv6 IPsec acceleration via virtual tunnel interfaces (VTI), and Cisco IOS Secure Multicast (GDOI) — all processed in hardware.
The AIM-VPN/SSL-3 also handles IP Payload Compression Protocol (IPPCP) in hardware, reducing bandwidth consumption across VPN tunnels. Designed to meet FIPS 140-2 Level 2 security standards, this module is ideal for enterprise branch offices, SMBs, and service providers that need scalable, secure remote access without deploying additional standalone appliances. By consolidating IPsec and SSL VPN into a single router-based solution, the AIM-VPN/SSL-3 reduces total cost of ownership and simplifies network management.
Features & Benefits
Hardware-Based VPN Encryption
The AIM-VPN/SSL-3 offloads computationally intensive encryption and decryption tasks from the router's main processor to a dedicated hardware engine. This frees CPU cycles for routing, QoS, and other services while delivering up to 40% better IPsec VPN performance compared to software-only encryption. The result is higher aggregate throughput and lower latency on encrypted traffic.
SSL VPN Termination
In addition to IPsec, the module provides hardware-accelerated SSL VPN (Cisco IOS WebVPN) termination — delivering up to twice the SSL Web VPN encryption performance of built-in processing. This enables secure, clientless remote access for mobile users and partners directly through the router, eliminating the need for a separate SSL VPN concentrator.
Comprehensive Encryption Standards
Supports DES, 3DES, and all primary AES configurations (AES128, AES192, AES256) for data confidentiality. Authentication is handled via RSA signatures and Diffie-Hellman key exchange, while SHA-1 and MD5 hashing algorithms ensure data integrity. This breadth of standards ensures interoperability across diverse VPN environments.
Layer 3 IPPCP Compression
The module performs IP Payload Compression Protocol (IPPCP) in hardware, compressing VPN tunnel traffic to reduce bandwidth consumption on WAN links. This is especially valuable for branch offices connected over costly or bandwidth-limited circuits, where every megabit of savings translates to real cost reduction.
Advanced Security Features
Designed to meet FIPS 140-2 Level 2 security requirements, the AIM-VPN/SSL-3 supports digital certificate authentication via PKI, IPv6 IPsec acceleration using virtual tunnel interfaces (VTI), and Cisco IOS Secure Multicast (GDOI). These capabilities make it suitable for government, financial, and healthcare environments with strict compliance mandates.
Internal AIM Form Factor
The module installs directly into an open AIM slot inside the Cisco ISR chassis, requiring no external rack space, cabling, or power supplies. At just 5W of power consumption, it has minimal impact on the router's power budget. This embedded design simplifies deployment and reduces the total number of devices to manage.
Deployment Scenarios
Enterprise Branch Office VPN
Deploy the AIM-VPN/SSL-3 in Cisco 3825 or 3845 routers at branch offices to establish high-throughput IPsec VPN tunnels back to headquarters. Hardware acceleration ensures that encryption does not become a bottleneck, even when running voice, video, and data services concurrently on the same router.
Secure Remote Access for Mobile Workers
Leverage the module's SSL VPN termination capability to provide clientless, browser-based remote access for mobile employees and contractors. With support for up to 200 concurrent SSL VPN users on the Cisco 3845, IT teams can deliver secure access without deploying a standalone VPN concentrator.
Service Provider Managed Security Services
Service providers can use the AIM-VPN/SSL-3 in customer-premises equipment (CPE) routers to deliver managed VPN services with zero-touch deployment. The hardware encryption offload ensures consistent performance across the subscriber base while the internal form factor keeps CPE footprints small.
Government & Compliance-Driven Networks
Organizations subject to FIPS 140-2 requirements can deploy the AIM-VPN/SSL-3 to meet Level 2 security certification standards. Combined with PKI-based certificate authentication and support for Cisco IOS Secure Multicast (GDOI), the module addresses the stringent security needs of government, defense, and regulated industries.
General
Performance
Encryption & Security
Compatibility
Physical
Environmental
Compatibility Notes
Compatible Platforms
The AIM-VPN/SSL-3 is designed for Cisco ISR platforms with an available AIM slot. Compatible routers include:
- Cisco 3800 Series: Cisco 3825, Cisco 3845
- Cisco 3700 Series: Cisco 3725, Cisco 3745
Software Requirements
- Requires Cisco IOS Release 12.4(9)T or later for full AIM-VPN/SSL feature support.
- An appropriate Cisco IOS feature set with VPN/security capabilities (e.g., Advanced Security or Advanced IP Services) is required.
- SSL VPN functionality requires a separate SSL VPN user license on the router.
Slot Requirement
- One open AIM slot in the host router is required for installation.
Downloads & Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
| Part Number | Product | Key Difference |
|---|---|---|
| AIM-VPN/SSL-1 | Cisco AIM-VPN/SSL-1 (1800 Series) | Designed for the Cisco 1841; lower throughput at 25–95 Mbps IPsec and 5 Mbps SSL VPN (max 50 users). |
| AIM-VPN/SSL-2 | Cisco AIM-VPN/SSL-2 (2800 Series) | Designed for the Cisco 2800 Series; mid-range throughput with SSL VPN support up to 150 users on the 2851. |
| AIM-VPN/EPII-PLUS | Cisco AIM-VPN/EPII-PLUS | Previous-generation AIM for 2800 Series with AES and IPPCP support but lacks SSL VPN termination and GDOI. |
| AIM-VPN/HPII-PLUS | Cisco AIM-VPN/HPII-PLUS | Previous-generation AIM for 3800 Series with AES and IPPCP support but lacks SSL VPN termination and GDOI. |