Cisco Is Opening Up

Cisco Systems' Integrated Service Routers (ISRs) handle WAN connectivity for millions of small businesses and branch offices worldwide. The ISR comes in several form factors, from the 800 series to the 3800 series, and depending on the model sport features such as integrated xDSL modems, DOCSIS cable modems, Wireless Access Points (WAPs), IP telephony (CallManager Express or Survivable Remote Site Telephony (SRST)), and VPN support. After alluding to the possibility of opening IOS to developers, Cisco has now announced that it is providing a Software Development Kit (SDK) for its ISR routers so that enterprises and ISVs can develop applications to run on the ISR modules.