Cisco CISCO2801
2801 w/AC PWR,2FE,4slots(2HWIC),2PVDM,2AIM
Product Highlights
What's Included
64MB Flash (1x MEM2800-64CF)
(1) PWR-2801-AC
(1) AC Power Cord
(1) Rackmount Kit (ACS-2801-RM-19)
Branch offices and small-to-medium business sites need a networking platform that consolidates routing, security, and voice onto a single device — without sacrificing performance or future flexibility. The CISCO2801 Integrated Services Router delivers exactly that.
Part of the Cisco 2800 Series, the CISCO2801 provides two built-in 10/100 Fast Ethernet ports, four interface card slots (including two HWIC slots), two Packet Voice Data Module (PVDM) slots, and two Advanced Integration Module (AIM) slots — all in a compact 1U rack-mountable chassis powered by an AC power supply. This modular design lets you tailor the router to your specific WAN connectivity, voice, and security requirements using Cisco's extensive library of compatible interface cards.
With hardware-based encryption acceleration built into the motherboard, the Cisco 2801 router offloads IPSec VPN processing to deliver secure site-to-site and remote-access connectivity with minimal CPU overhead. The platform supports integrated firewall, intrusion prevention, and voice services, making it a versatile workhorse for branch deployments that demand converged data, voice, and security on a single resilient platform.
Note: The Cisco 2800 Series has reached End-of-Life (EOL) status. This product is available in refurbished condition and remains an excellent cost-effective solution for labs, legacy network support, and budget-conscious deployments.
Features & Benefits
Integrated Data, Voice & Security Services
The Cisco 2801 embeds data routing, hardware-accelerated VPN encryption, firewall, intrusion prevention, and voice services into a single chassis. This convergence eliminates the need for multiple standalone appliances, reducing capital costs, rack space, and management complexity at branch sites.
Modular Expansion Slots
With four interface card slots (including two HWIC slots that also accept legacy WICs, VICs, and VWICs), two PVDM slots, and two AIM slots, the CISCO2801 adapts to evolving requirements. Add T1/E1 WAN links, analog voice ports, serial connections, or hardware acceleration modules as your network grows — all without replacing the chassis.
Hardware-Based VPN Encryption
Every Cisco 2800 Series router includes onboard hardware encryption acceleration that offloads DES, 3DES, and AES processing from the main CPU. This delivers higher IPSec VPN throughput with lower latency, ensuring secure branch-to-headquarters connectivity without degrading routing or voice performance.
Compact 1U Rack-Mount Design
At just 1.72 × 17.49 × 16.5 inches, the Cisco 2801 fits a single rack unit in any standard 19-inch rack. The included rackmount kit (ACS-2801-RM-19) means you can deploy immediately without sourcing additional hardware. Ideal for space-constrained branch office wiring closets.
Cisco IOS Software Platform
Ships with Cisco IOS IP Base Software, providing a rich feature set including OSPF, EIGRP, BGP, QoS, ACLs, NAT, and DHCP services. Upgradeable IOS images unlock advanced features such as IP Voice, Advanced Security, and Advanced Enterprise Services to match your licensing and deployment needs.
Deployment Scenarios
Small Branch Office WAN Router
Deploy the CISCO2801 as the primary WAN edge router for small branch offices with a single T1/E1 or broadband connection. Its integrated firewall and VPN capabilities provide secure connectivity back to headquarters without requiring a separate security appliance.
Converged Voice & Data Branch Gateway
Leverage the two PVDM slots and AIM slots to deploy IP telephony services at remote sites. The Cisco 2801 supports Cisco Unified SRST for survivable voice services and Cisco Unified CME for local call processing, consolidating voice and data infrastructure onto one platform.
CCNA / CCNP Lab & Training Environment
As a fully-featured Cisco IOS router at an accessible price point, the CISCO2801 is an excellent choice for certification lab environments. Its modular slot architecture lets students practice with real WAN interface cards, serial connections, and voice modules in hands-on training scenarios.
Legacy Network Support & Spare Inventory
Organizations still running Cisco 2800 Series infrastructure can maintain service continuity by stocking refurbished CISCO2801 units as hot spares. This avoids costly emergency replacements and extends the operational life of existing branch deployments.
General
Interfaces & Slots
Memory (As Shipped)
Security
Power
Physical
Environmental
Networking
Lifecycle
Compatibility Notes
Platform Family: Cisco 2800 Series Integrated Services Routers (ISR G1)
Interface Card Compatibility: The four interface card slots accept HWICs, WICs, VICs, and VWICs. Note that the CISCO2801 does not support Network Modules (NMs/NMEs) or Enhanced Voice Modules (EVMs) — those require the Cisco 2811 or higher.
Memory (as shipped in this SKU): 128 MB DRAM (onboard), 64 MB Compact Flash (1× MEM2800-64CF). The platform supports up to 384 MB DRAM and 128 MB Flash maximum.
Power Supply: Ships with PWR-2801-AC (standard AC, non-PoE). An optional AC power supply with PoE distribution capability is available separately.
Software: Ships with Cisco IOS IP Base. Advanced feature sets (IP Voice, Advanced Security, Advanced Enterprise Services) require separate licensing.
EOL Status: End-of-Sale November 1, 2011. End-of-Support October 31, 2016. Cisco TAC support is no longer available; third-party maintenance options exist.
Downloads & Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
| Part Number | Product | Key Difference |
|---|---|---|
| CISCO2811 | Cisco 2811 Integrated Services Router | Adds 1 NME slot and 4 HWIC slots (vs. 4 interface card slots on 2801); supports Network Modules for greater expansion |
| CISCO2821 | Cisco 2821 Integrated Services Router | 2U form factor with 2× GE ports, NME-X slot, EVM support, 3 PVDM slots — ideal for larger branch offices with voice |
| CISCO2851 | Cisco 2851 Integrated Services Router | Highest-performance 2800 Series model with 2× GE, NME-XD support, and maximum DSP density for large voice deployments |
| CISCO2901/K9 | Cisco 2901 Integrated Services Router G2 | Next-generation ISR G2 replacement with significantly higher throughput, GE ports, and current Cisco support — recommended upgrade path |
