Datasheet

Cisco Preferred Architecture for
Midmarket Collaboration PAGE 6
Introduction
Architectural Overview
The Cisco PA for Midmarket Collaboration provides end-to-end collaboration targeted for deployments of up to 1,000
users. This architecture provides high availability for critical applications and incorporates products developed and priced
for the midmarket. The consistent user experience provided by the overall architecture facilitates quick user adoption,
enabling an organization to recognize immediate value for its investment. Additionally, the architecture supports an
advanced set of collaboration services that extend to mobile workers, partners, and customers through the following key
services:
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Voice communications
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Instant messaging and presence
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High-definition video and content sharing
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Rich media conferencing
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Enablement of mobile and remote workers
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Business-to-business voice and video communications
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Unified voice messaging
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Customer care
Because of the adaptable nature of Cisco endpoints and their support for IP networks, this architecture enables an
organization to use its current data network to support both voice and video calls. In general, it is a best practice to deploy
a collaboration solution with proper quality of service (QoS) configured throughout the network. Voice and video IP traffic
should be classified and prioritized to preserve the user experience and avoid negative effects such as delay, loss, and
jitter. For more information about LAN and WAN QoS, see the Cisco Collaboration SRND.
The Cisco PA for Midmarket Collaboration, shown in Figure 1, provides highly available and secure centralized services.
These services extend easily to remote offices and mobile workers, providing availability of critical services even if
communication to headquarters is lost. Centralized services also simplify management and administration of an
organization’s collaboration deployment.