Short Take: Cisco releases technology aimed at mid-sized businesses

Cisco Systems today released a new switch aimed at mid-sized businesses that want to consolidate voice, video and data traffic on a single network. The new Catalyst 3524-PWR XL product will allow businesses to use Cisco's Internet-based phone system. To ensure there's enough network bandwidth for phone calls, the new switch allows network administrators to give calls priority over other uses, such as Web surfing. The product, which costs $3,995, also supplies power to Internet-based phones.