Cisco Launches First Smart Grid Products

Cisco announced its first smart grid-specific products, including a router and grid switch, which are based on its traditional networking products but have been built specifically for the utility environment.

Cisco's new smart grid gear — dubbed the Cisco 2000 Series Connected Grid Router (CGR 2010) and the Cisco 2500 Series Connected Grid Switch (CGS 2520) — gives utilities another option for deploying smart grid networks, and offers them the security of having the deep pockets and extensive supply chain of a big company. Utilities are risk averse by nature, have to abide by very specific regulations for maintaining service and for the most part, prefer to work with a big company with decades of experience under its belt. Cisco says utilities have already been testing out the new gear.