Cisco routers: 2 products
- 8000 Secure RoutersCisco
25 models: C8130-G2, C8130H-G2, C8131-G2, C8140-G2, C8200-1N-4T, C8200L-1N-4T, C8300-1N1S-4T2X, C8300-1N1S-6T
In short
A Cisco business router connects a branch to the internet, a private WAN or SD-WAN. Cisco's current range is the 8000 Series Secure Routers: 8100 for small, 8200 for medium and 8300 for large branches, licensed through a Cisco WAN Essentials or WAN Advantage subscription for SD-WAN, or Cisco routing licensing for autonomous routing. Forever Systems, a Cisco Partner, quotes by part number and can install them.
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Which Cisco router for which site
Cisco positions each range by branch size. Figures are Cisco's data-sheet "up to" results (512-byte packets):
| Your site | Range to look at | What Cisco says | IPsec VPN (up to) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small office, shop or kiosk | 8100 Series Secure Routers (C8130-G2 to C8161-G2) | "Compact, fanless routers for small branches" (Cisco SD-WAN routers page) with an integrated next-generation firewall | 1.5 Gbps |
| Medium branch office | 8200 Series Secure Routers (C8211-G2 to C8235-E-G2) | "Designed for medium-sized branch deployments", with 10G SFP+ and 2.5G multigigabit ports | 3 to 5 Gbps |
| Large branch or regional office | 8300 Series Secure Routers (C8355-G2, C8375-E-G2) | "Engineered for large branch locations", 10G ports and module slots on the C8375-E-G2 | 20 Gbps |
| Larger sites and head offices | 8400 Series Secure Routers (C8455-G2, C8475-G2) | Listed by Cisco for WAN Essentials and Advantage; Cisco names the C8475-G2 as the migration product for the Catalyst 8500L (C8500L-8S4X) | Confirmed at quote |
| Existing ISR 1100 estate | ISR 1100 (C1121, C1126, C1127) | Small-branch routers with GE, DSL and pluggable LTE or 5G options | See the ISR 1100 page |
Sources: Cisco SD-WAN routers page (opens in a new tab), 8100 data sheet (opens in a new tab), 8200 data sheet (opens in a new tab), 8300 data sheet (opens in a new tab), Networking Subscription data sheet (opens in a new tab).
Compare, then add to your basket
Every product in our shop lists its order codes and licences, ready to add.
ISR, Catalyst 8000 Edge and Secure Routers: how the range changed
Cisco has renamed and replaced its branch routers several times, which is why the same office might have a 2911, an ISR4331 or a C8200 in the comms cabinet:
- ISR G2 (1900, 2900 and 3900 Series) gave way to the ISR 4000 Series, which Cisco names as the migration path in its 2900 and 3900 end-of-sale notices.
- ISR 4000 was followed by the first-generation Catalyst 8200 and 8300 Edge platforms (C8200-1N-4T, C8300-1N1S-6T and others), the migration products in Cisco's ISR 4000 notice EOL14896.
- Those Catalyst 8000 Edge models are now in their own last-order window, and Cisco's notices name 8000 Series Secure Routers (part numbers ending -G2: the C8231-E-G2, C8235-E-G2 and C8375-E-G2) as the migration products for the C8200 and C8300-1N1S models.
- The ISR 1100 small-branch range runs alongside: the C1121, C1126, C1127 and C1109 remain on sale, the C1112, C1113, C1116, C1117, C1131 and C1161 take last orders on 31 Jan 2027, and the C1111 closed on 28 Jul 2026.
The Secure Routers put routing, SD-WAN and a next-generation firewall in one box, so a small branch may not need a separate firewall. For a larger site with its own internet breakout we often pair a router with a dedicated firewall.
Cisco routers by range
| Range | Vendor | Models | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cisco ISR 1100 Series routers | Cisco | 10 | C1121, C1126, C1127, C1109, C1112, C1113 and more |
| Cisco 8000 Series Secure Routers (G2) | Cisco | 19 | C8130-G2, C8130H-G2, C8131-G2, C8140-G2, C8151-G2, C8151H-C-G2 and more |
| Cisco Catalyst 8200 / 8300 Edge Platforms (first generation) | Cisco | 6 | C8200-1N-4T, C8200L-1N-4T, C8300-1N1S-4T2X, C8300-1N1S-6T, C8300-2N2S-4T2X, C8300-2N2S-6T |
Not sure what you need?
Tell us about your sites and we will recommend the right kit and licences.
Licences you buy with a Cisco router
- 8000 Series Secure Routers: licensed through a Cisco WAN Essentials or WAN Advantage subscription (Networking Subscription) for SD-WAN, sized Small, Medium, Large or Extra Large per router, or Cisco routing licensing for autonomous routing (Cisco notes that "Routing licensing is not available in a Cisco Networking Subscription"). Cisco says the subscriptions can be used "on-premises or in the cloud" and include support consistent with Cisco Support Basic "but excludes any RMA benefits" (Networking Subscription data sheet (opens in a new tab)). The basket offers the WAN tiers when you add the router; we confirm the licence, size and term at quote.
- ISR 1100 and first-generation Catalyst 8200/8300: Cisco pairs these with a Cisco DNA subscription (Essentials or Advantage, for 3, 5 or 7 years, by bandwidth tier) when they run SD-WAN. Routers run in autonomous mode use IOS XE technology packages instead (IP Base by default, with Security and other packages), per the ISR 1000 data sheet (opens in a new tab).
- Renewals for routers you already own are quoted the same way; send us the serial numbers or your Smart Account details and we check what is due.
How Cisco routers are managed
- Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Manager (formerly vManage), on premises or in the cloud, for SD-WAN across many sites.
- Autonomous IOS XE: the command line or Cisco Catalyst Center (formerly DNA Center) for traditional routed networks.
- Cisco Security Cloud Control can manage the integrated firewall for security teams, while the network team runs routing, per Cisco's ISR data sheet.
- Meraki dashboard: the -MX versions of the Secure Routers (C8111-G2-MX, C8235-G2-MX, C8355-G2-MX and others) are Meraki-managed and sold on our sister site, cloudnetworking.uk (opens in a new tab).
New to SD-WAN? Meraki SD-WAN (opens in a new tab) explains the idea for cloud-managed networks, and SASE vs SD-WAN (opens in a new tab) covers where it meets cloud security.
Older Cisco routers: 800 Series, ISR G2 and ISR 4000
These ranges are past Cisco's last order date, so they have no Add button. Dates are from Cisco's own notices and support pages:
| Range | Examples | Cisco last order | Cisco end of support | What to look at now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cisco 800 Series (opens in a new tab) | 880, 890 and other 800 models | 21 Nov 2023 (series) | 30 Nov 2028 | 8100 Series Secure Routers or ISR 1100 C1121 (our suggestion) |
| Cisco 1900 Series ISR (opens in a new tab) | 1905, 1921, 1941 | 8 May 2020 | 31 May 2025 (no longer supported) | Cisco points to the Catalyst 8000 family; today the 8100 or 8200 Series |
| Cisco 2900 Series ISR (opens in a new tab) (EOL11158) | 2901, 2911, 2921, 2951 | 9 Dec 2017 | 31 Dec 2022 | Cisco named ISR 4000, itself now past last order; today the 8200 Series (our suggestion) |
| Cisco 3900 Series ISR (opens in a new tab) (EOL11157) | 3925, 3945 | 9 Dec 2017 | 31 Dec 2022 | Cisco named ISR 4000; today the 8300 Series (our suggestion) |
| Cisco ISR 4200, 4300 and select 4400 (opens in a new tab) (EOL14896) | ISR4221, ISR4331, ISR4351 and others | 7 Nov 2023 | 30 Nov 2028 | Cisco named C8200 and C8300 Edge, now in last orders; their Cisco migrations include C8231-E-G2, C8235-E-G2 and C8375-E-G2 |
| Catalyst 8200 / 8300 Edge (EOL15955, EOL15950) | C8200-1N-4T, C8300-1N1S-6T, C8300-2N2S-6T | 31 Jan 2027 or 31 Jul 2027 | 31 Jan 2032 or 31 Jul 2032 | Still orderable until then; see the 8000 Secure Routers page |
Replacing a router is a good time to check the line, the firewall and the switches behind it. We can plan the swap so the new router is staged with your configuration before it reaches site.
Router with a BTnet leased line?
If your router comes as part of a BTnet leased line (opens in a new tab), BT can supply and manage a Cisco router for you; see BTnet with a managed Cisco router (opens in a new tab) on leased-lines.uk. If you would rather own and run the router yourself, the ranges on this page work on leased lines, fibre broadband and 5G backup.
How to order Cisco routers
How ordering works. Press Add next to a part number and it goes into your basket; where the hardware needs a subscription or takes optional support, you pick it in the same step. Add any modules or accessories, then View basket and Request a quote. We check every line, quantity and term against your sites and come back with a personalised quote by email. Nothing is charged online. We can also design, supply, stage, install and configure Cisco routers, SD-WAN and the firewall policy as a project, with the scope confirmed at quote (see network installation).
Not sure which model fits? Contact us with your sites, line types and user numbers, and we will suggest a bill of materials.
How we can help with your network
Forever Systems can design, supply, stage, install and configure the network around the hardware you buy here, as a project or one step at a time.
- Design: we look at your sites, users and existing kit and size the switches, wireless and firewalls to fit
- Supply: every order gets a personalised quote by part number, with the subscriptions and support each product needs
- Stage: we can pre-configure and label equipment before it reaches site
- Install: we can rack and mount switches, access points and firewalls on site
- Configure: VLANs, wireless, firewall policy, VPNs and management platforms set up and documented at handover
Scope is confirmed at quote, so you only pay for the parts of the project you need.
Frequently asked questions
Which Cisco router is best for a small business?
For a new small office, Cisco's 8100 Series Secure Routers (for example the C8140-G2 or C8161-G2 with PoE) are the current small-branch range, with an integrated next-generation firewall. Existing ISR 1100 sites can still order the C1121 range. We size the model from your line speed and VPN needs.
Is the Cisco 3945 or 2911 still supported?
No. Cisco's end-of-sale notices EOL11157 and EOL11158 set 31 Dec 2022 as the last date of support for the 3900 and 2900 Series. We can quote a current 8200 or 8300 Series Secure Router to replace them.
Is the Cisco ISR 4331 end of life?
Cisco's notice EOL14896 ended orders for the ISR4200, ISR4300 and select ISR4400 models on 7 Nov 2023, with the last date of support on 30 Nov 2028.
Do Cisco routers need a licence?
Cisco 8000 Series Secure Routers are licensed through a Cisco WAN Essentials or WAN Advantage subscription (Networking Subscription) for SD-WAN, or Cisco routing licensing for autonomous routing; we confirm the licence at quote. ISR 1100 and first-generation Catalyst 8000 Edge routers use a Cisco DNA subscription for SD-WAN, or IOS XE technology packages in autonomous mode. We confirm the right licence at quote.
Are -MX Secure Routers sold here?
No. The -MX versions of the Secure Routers are managed from the Meraki dashboard and are sold on our sister site, cloudnetworking.uk (opens in a new tab). This page covers Cisco routers run on IOS XE, SD-WAN Manager or Catalyst Center.
Can you install and configure a Cisco router?
Yes. We can design, supply, stage, install and configure Cisco routers, SD-WAN and VPNs, with the scope confirmed at quote.
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