cisco

Cisco Systems VPN Client

The Cisco Systems VPN Client is an executable program that allows Linux, Mac OS X, Solaris and Windows based computers to connect to a Virtual Private Network (VPN). The client makes remote resources of another network available in a secure way as if the user was connected directly to that "private" network. The software is not free but is often installed on university and business computers in accordance with a site-license. Cisco has recently released a client called Cisco AnyConnect VPN. This new client supports 64 bit operating systems.

[edit] VoIP services

Cisco became a major provider of Voice over IP to enterprises, and is now moving into the home user market through its acquisitions of Scientific Atlanta and Linksys. Scientific Atlanta provides VoIP equipment to cable service providers such as Time Warner, Cablevision, Rogers Communications, UPC, and others; Linksys has partnered with companies such as Skype and Yahoo to integrate consumer VoIP services with wireless and cordless phones.

[edit] Criticisms and controversy

[edit] China

Cisco has been criticized for its involvement in censorship in the People's Republic of China.[10] According to author Ethan Gutmann, Cisco and other telecommunications equipment providers supplied the Chinese government with surveillance and Internet infrastructure equipment that is used to block Internet websites and track Chinese on-line activities. Cisco says that it does not customize or develop specialized or unique filtering capabilities to enable governments or regimes to block access to information and that it sells the same equipment in China as it sells worldwide.[11] Leaked documents suggests that Cisco sees information control in China as a good commercial opportunity.[12]

[edit] Shareholder class action lawsuit against Cisco

On August 18, 2006 Cisco reached a settlement in a long-standing class action lawsuit that originated in 2001. "The original suit, filed April 20, 2001, claimed that the company made misleading statements, or omitted statements of material fact, that were relied on by purchasers of Cisco stock. It also alleged that the individual defendants sold Cisco stock while in possession of material, non-public information. Cisco denied all allegations in the suit."[13] While Cisco denies all wrongdoing in the suit, it agreed to settle with the plaintiffs. Cisco's liability insurers, its directors, and officers paid the plaintiffs US$91.75 million to settle the suit.[14]

[edit] Cisco lawsuit against Huawei

On January 23, 2003, Cisco sued Huawei Technologies, Co., Ltd and its subsidiaries, Huawei America, Inc. and FutureWei Technologies, Inc. over Huawei's unlawful copying of Cisco's intellectual property.[15] The suit alleged that Huawei "unlawfully copied and misappropriated Cisco's IOS software... and infringed numerous Cisco patents." Cisco suspended the patent infringement lawsuit on October 1, 2003, after Huawei agreed to modify some of their products.

[edit] Brazil

On October 16, 2007, the Brazilian Federal Police and Brazilian Receita Federal (equivalent to the American IRS) under the "Persona Operation" uncovered an alleged tax fraud scheme employed since 2002 that exempted the company from paying over R$1.5 billion (US$824 million) in taxes.[16]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Company Profile for Cisco Systems Inc (CSCO)". Retrieved on 2008-09-30.
  2. ^ "I, Cringely . NerdTV . Transcript | PBS". Pbs.org. Retrieved on 2008-11-13.
  3. ^ Cisco claim of first multi-protocol router
  4. ^ "Cisco pushes past Microsoft in market value", CBS Marketwatch (2000-03-25). Retrieved on 25 January 2007.
  5. ^ "Cisco replaces Microsoft as world's most valuable company", Reuters, The Indian Express (2000-03-25). Retrieved on 25 January 2007.
  6. ^ Fost, Dan (2006-05-05). "Chron 200 Market capitalization", San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved on 25 January 2007.
  7. ^ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Chambers_(CEO)
  8. ^ "Cisco Systems Office Locations". Cisco Systems. Retrieved on 2008-04-17.
  9. ^ "The Human Network". Cisco Systems, Inc.. Retrieved on 2007-01-25.
  10. ^ "FRONTLINE: the tank man: the struggle to control information | PBS". Pbs.org. Retrieved on 2008-11-13.
  11. ^ Earnhardt, John (2006-02-15). "Cisco Testimony Before House International Relations Subcommittee". Cisco Systems, Inc.. Retrieved on 2007-01-25.
  12. ^ "Leaked Cisco Internal Memo".
  13. ^ Cisco Systems, Inc. (2006-08-18). "Cisco Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit Resolved". Press release. Retrieved on 2007-01-25.
  14. ^ "Cisco resolves class action lawsuit", Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal (2006-08-18). Retrieved on 25 January 2007.
  15. ^ Cisco Systems, Inc. (2003-01-23). "Cisco Files Lawsuit Against Huawei Technologies". Press release. Retrieved on 2007-01-25.
  16. ^ International Herald Tribune (2007-10-17). "Brazilian tax authorities raid, close Cisco System's offices in Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro". Press release. Retrieved on 2007-10-17.

[edit] External links

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