Cisco is perhaps the most recognizable name in routers and firewalls, but to get the most from them, you should consider using Cisco accessories. Accessories for Cisco encompass a wide variety of products which enhance or expand on the functionality of Cisco products. This leads to better efficiency and operation from your Cisco products. The following is a list of some of the more common Cisco Accessories:

1. Cisco Ethernet transceivers
2. Cisco hardware cables
3. Cisco power cords
4. Cisco phone accessories

As you can see, a "Cisco accessory" encompasses a variety of different products, but the list should also help illustrate how they make Cisco products work or work better. Cisco Ethernet transceivers help get Ethernet to more computers in a network; hardware cables and power cords make Cisco hardware function; and Cisco phone accessories improve the experience of using the phones by offering headsets and other usability upgrades. If you are considering purchasing Cisco accessories, consider the following.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Buy Cisco accessories online

If you are already a Cisco customer, you may be able to get better discount pricing from your sales representative. If not, consider looking for Cisco 7920 accessories, Cisco 7960 accessories or any other Cisco accessories on the Internet.

I recommend: Comparison shop and do plenty of research before buying. Cisco is such a widely known brand, so there are many companies selling new Cisco accessories, such as Super Warehouse, and used Cisco accessories, such as Xerxes Computer Corporation.

Find information technology (IT) support personnel that service Cisco accessories

While a Cisco hardware cable or Cisco power cord does not require much service, a Cisco Ethernet transceiver or Cisco hardware assembly may need service from time to time. It is important that you have someone who can maintain the equipment as needed.

I recommend: If your IT support staff cannot support your Cisco accessories, find a company that can. In the United States, the best place to find support for your Cisco accessories is Cisco itself. In the United Kingdom, Comtek Network Systems (UK) Ltd. is one of the largest maintainers of Cisco equipment.

Consider training your IT staff on Cisco accessories

Certification for Cisco products has existed for many years, ranging from the Cisco Certified Network Administrator (CCNA), the Interconnecting Cisco Network Devices (ICND) 1and 2, and others. In addition to hardware, these training classes also cover how to utilize and maintain Cisco accessories.

I recommend: If you have the budget, consider putting your IT support staff through training, if they have not already received it. Companies like Global Knowledge provide in-person training courses where your employees go to their lab and take certification prep courses. A company like CiscoKits will sell offline training packages so that your employees can learn at their own pace.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When installing a new piece of Cisco equipment, make sure you have all the Cisco accessories you need and know what accessories will make it perform better.
• •  When shopping for Cisco accessories, make sure they are made for the Cisco equipment you own.
• •  Some Cisco accessories are as complex as Cisco hardware and will have their own upgrades and patches on Cisco's website.