Cisco Router and Security Device Manager
This data sheet provides an overview of features, benefits, and product availability of the Cisco® Router and Security Device Manager (SDM).
Cisco SDM is an intuitive, Web-based device-management tool for Cisco IOS®
Software-based routers. The Cisco SDM simplifies router and security
configuration through smart wizards, which help customers and Cisco
partners quickly and easily deploy, configure, and monitor a Cisco
router without requiring knowledge of the command-line interface (CLI).
The Cisco SDM is supported on a wide range of Cisco routers and Cisco
IOS Software releases. Refer to Table 3 for specific model numbers
supported by the Cisco SDM.
Ease of Use and Built-In Application Intelligence
The
Cisco SDM allows users to easily configure routing, switching,
security, and quality-of-service (QoS) services on Cisco routers while
enabling proactive management through performance monitoring (see Figure
1). Cisco SDM users can remotely configure and monitor their Cisco
routers without using the Cisco IOS Software CLI. The Cisco SDM GUI aids
non-expert users of Cisco IOS Software in their day-to-day operations,
provides easy-to-use smart wizards, automates router security
management, and assists users through comprehensive online help and
tutorials.
Figure 1. Cisco SDM Homepage
Cisco
SDM smart wizards guide users step by step through router and security
configuration workflow by systematically configuring LAN, WLAN, and WAN
interfaces; firewalls; intrusion prevention systems (IPS); and IP
Security (IPsec) VPNs. Cisco SDM smart wizards can intelligently detect
incorrect configurations and propose fixes, such as allowing Dynamic
Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) traffic through a firewall if the WAN
interface is DHCP-addressed. Online help embedded within the Cisco SDM
contains appropriate background information, in addition to step-by-step
procedures to help users enter correct data in the Cisco SDM.
Networking and security terms and definitions that users might encounter
are included in an online glossary.
For
network professionals familiar with Cisco IOS Software and its security
features, the Cisco SDM offers advanced configuration tools to quickly
configure and fine-tune router security features, allowing network
professionals to review the commands generated by the Cisco SDM before
delivering the configuration changes to the router.
The
Cisco SDM helps administrators configure and monitor routers in remote
locations using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and Secure Shell (SSHv2)
Protocol connections (see Figure 2). This technology enables a secure
connection over the Internet between SDM on the user's laptop and the
router. When deployed at a branch office, a Cisco SDM-enabled router can
be configured and monitored from corporate headquarters, reducing the
need for experienced network administrators at the branch office.
Figure 2. Connecting to a Cisco SDM-Enabled Router Using SSL for Secure Remote Connectivity
Integrated Security Configuration
When
deploying a new router, Cisco SDM users can configure a Cisco IOS
Software firewall quickly and using the best practices recommended by
the International Computer Security Association (ICSA) and the Cisco
Technical Assistance Center (TAC). An advanced firewall wizard allows a
single-step deployment of high, medium, or low application firewall
policy settings. Cisco SDM users can configure the strongest VPN
defaults and automatically perform security audits (see Figure 3). In
addition, Cisco SDM users can perform one-step router lockdown for
firewalls and one-step VPN for quick deployment of secure site-to-site
connections. A recommended list of IPS signatures bundled with Cisco SDM
allows quick deployment of worm, virus, and protocol exploit
mitigation. The Cisco SDM Network Admission Control (NAC) wizard enables
simple and fast integration of NAC and client security posture
management into an existing network infrastructure.
Figure 3. Router Security Audit
When
invoked on an already configured router, Cisco SDM allows users to
perform one-step security audits to evaluate the strengths and
weaknesses of their router configurations against common security
vulnerabilities. Administrators can fine-tune their existing router
security configurations to better suit their business needs. The Cisco
SDM also can be used for day-to-day operations such as monitoring, fault
management, and troubleshooting.
Router Configuration
In
addition to security configuration, Cisco SDM helps users quickly and
easily configure router services such as LAN, WLAN, and WAN interface
configuration; dynamic routing; DHCP server; QoS policy; and so on.
Using
the LAN configuration wizard, users can assign IP addresses and subnet
masks to Ethernet interfaces and can enable or disable the DHCP server.
Using the WAN configuration wizard, users can configure xDSL, T1/E1,
Ethernet, and ISDN interfaces for WAN and Internet access. Additionally,
for serial connections, users can implement Frame Relay, Point-to-Point
Protocol (PPP), and High-Level Data Link Control (HDLC) encapsulation.
Cisco SDM also allows configuration of static routing and common dynamic
routing protocols such as Open Shortest Path First (OSPF), Routing
Information Protocol (RIP) Version 2, and Enhanced Interior Gateway
Routing Protocol (EIGRP).
QoS
policies can easily be applied to any WAN or VPN tunnel interface using
Cisco SDM. The QoS policy wizard automates the Cisco architecture
guidelines for QoS policies to effectively prioritize the traffic
between real-time applications (voice or video), business-critical
applications (Structured Query Language [SQL], Oracle, Citrix, routing
protocols, and so on), and the rest of network traffic (for instance,
Web and e-mail traffic). Monitoring based on network based application
recognition (NBAR) in the Cisco SDM allows users to visually inspect the
application layer traffic in real time and confirms the effect of QoS
policies on different classes of application traffic.
Monitoring and Troubleshooting
In
monitor mode, Cisco SDM provides a quick, graphical status of important
router resources and performance measurements such as the interface
status (up or down), CPU, and memory usage (see Figure 4). For wireless
models, Cisco SDM provides comprehensive support for real-time 802.11
a/b/g interface statistics. Cisco SDM takes advantage of integrated
routing and security features on routers to provide in-depth diagnostics
and troubleshooting of WAN and VPN connections. For example, while
troubleshooting a failed VPN connection, the Cisco SDM verifies the
router configurations and connectivity from the WAN interface layer to
the IPsec Crypto Map layer. While testing configuration and remote-peer
connectivity at each layer, Cisco SDM provides pass or fail status,
possible reasons of failure, and Cisco TAC-recommended actions for
recovery.
Figure 4. VPN Troubleshooting and Recovery
Cisco
SDM monitor mode also allows users to view the number of network access
attempts that were denied by the Cisco IOS Software firewall and it
provides easy access to the firewall log. Users also can monitor
detailed VPN status, such as the number of packets encrypted or
decrypted by IPsec tunnels, and Easy VPN client session details.
Table 1 describes the features that are new in Cisco SDM Version 2.5.
Table 1. Cisco SDM Features New in Version 2.5
Figure 5. Cisco SDM Express
Cisco Router Mass Deployments
Cisco
SDM is integrated with the Cisco CNS 2100 Series Intelligence Engine to
help enable fast and cost-effective mass deployments of Cisco routers
with factory default configurations. Service providers and large
enterprises have the flexibility to use the Cisco SDM and Cisco CNS 2100
Series combination during staging or allow an untrained, onsite
administrator to download the final Cisco IOS Software configuration
without using the Cisco IOS Software CLI.
Cisco Router Security Management
Cisco
SDM helps Cisco partners and customers easily deploy Cisco IOS Software
security features-Network Address Translation (NAT), access control
lists (ACLs), firewalls, intrusion prevention system (IPS), and IPsec
VPNs-and integrates these security features into existing router
configuration and network architectures. Smart wizards in the Cisco SDM
understand the interaction of routing and security features and guide
the user to a final configuration that is approved and tested by the
Cisco TAC from end to end. The CLI preview mode in the Cisco SDM allows
expert users to manually validate the final configuration before it is
delivered to the router.
Cisco Router Operational Management
Cisco
SDM helps Cisco partners and customers securely (using SSL and SSH) and
remotely manage all critical aspects of router operations: hardware and
software inventory status, interface status, firewall and ACL logs, VPN
tunnel status, and most recent syslog messages. Figure 6 shows Cisco
SDM hardware and software inventory details.
Figure 6. Cisco Router Hardware and Software Inventory
Conclusion
The
Cisco SDM is a valuable productivity-enhancing tool for network and
security administrators. Cisco partners can use the Cisco SDM for faster
and easier deployment of Cisco routers for both WAN access and network
security features.
Cisco
customers can use the Cisco SDM for reducing the total cost of
ownership of their Cisco routers by relying on Cisco SDM-generated
configurations that are tested end to end by Cisco engineers and
approved by the Cisco TAC. Configuration checks built into Cisco SDM
reduce the instances of configuration errors.
Product Specifications
Table 2 shows primary features and benefits of the Cisco SDM. Table 3 shows product specifications for the Cisco SDM.
Table 2. Cisco SDM Primary Features and Benefits
Table 3. Product Specifications for Cisco SDM (Minimum Cisco IOS Software Releases Supported)
System Requirements
Table 4 lists the system requirements for the Cisco SDM.
Table 4. System Requirements
Ordering Information
Table 5 lists ordering and factory shipping options for the Cisco SDM.
Table 5. Ordering and Factory Shipping Options for Cisco SDM
For
customers who want to use the AutoInstall feature in Cisco IOS
Software, two US$0 SKUs are offered: ROUTER-SDM-NOCF and
ROUTER-SDM-CD-NOCF. If either of these SKUs is ordered with a Cisco
router, manufacturing loads Cisco SDM files only on the router Flash
memory, and the default startup configuration is not loaded in the
router's NVRAM.
To place an order, visit the Cisco Direct Order page.
To Download the Software
Visit the Cisco Software Center to download the latest Cisco SDM software that can be installed on a router Flash memory or on a PC.
Service and Support
Cisco
offers a wide range of services to accelerate customer success. These
innovative services are delivered through a unique combination of
people, processes, tools, and partners, resulting in high levels of
customer satisfaction. Cisco services help you protect your network
investment, optimize network operations, and prepare your network for
new applications to extend network intelligence and the power of your
business. For more information about Cisco services, refer to Cisco Technical Support Services.
For More Information
For more information about the Cisco SDM, visit http://www.cisco.com/go/sdm or contact your Cisco account representative.






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