Cisco Systems (CSCO) announced that the Agricultural Bank of China Hebei Branch has selected Cisco 2800 series integrated services routers to upgrade its third-tier provincial network, connecting its 250 sub-branches and outlets in the province.

The 250 Cisco 2800 series ISR will be deployed to integrate the previously independent business, office administration and multiple service networks into a unified province-wide network, maintaining the data security capabilities of each, while at the same time lowering costs and simplifying system management.

The project marks the largest planned implementation of Cisco 2800 series integrated services routers to date in China since Cisco introduced this new line of branch-office routers in 2004.

Since 1998, the Agricultural Bank of China Hebei Branch has used Cisco Systems equipment to develop its core business and city-level networks.

In addition to the Cisco 2800 ISR, Cisco 7609 Internet Routers and Cisco 7206 routers also will be deployed at the Agricultural Bank of China Hebei Branch headquarters and city-level sub-branches.