The enterprise edge module provides connectivity for voice, video, and data services outside the enterprise. This module often functions as a liaison between the enterprise campus module and the other modules.
The enterprise edge module consists of the following submodules:
- E-commerce networks and servers - The e-commerce submodule enables enterprises to support e-commerce applications through the Internet. It uses the high availability designs of the data center module. Devices located in the e-commerce submodule include web, application, and database servers, firewall and firewall routers, and network intrusion prevention systems (IPS).
- Internet connectivity and demilitarized zone (DMZ) - The Internet submodule of the enterprise edge provides internal users with secure connectivity to Internet services such as public servers, email, and DNS. Connectivity to one or several Internet Service Providers (ISP) is also provided. Components of this submodule include firewall and firewall routers, Internet edge routers, FTP and HTTP servers, SMTP relay servers, and DNS servers.
- Remote Access and VPN - The VPN/remote access submodule of the enterprise edge provides remote-access termination services, including authentication for remote users and sites. Components of this submodule include firewalls, dial-in access concentrators, Cisco Adaptive Security Appliances (ASA), and network Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) appliances.
- WAN - The WAN submodule uses various WAN technologies for routing traffic between remote sites and the central site. Enterprise WAN links include technologies such as Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS), Metro Ethernet, leased lines, Synchronous Optical Network (SONET) and Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH), PPP, Frame Relay, ATM, cable, digital subscriber line (DSL), and wireless.
Click the Enterprise Edge module in the figure for more information.