BTnet with a managed Cisco router

What the BTnet Cisco router plan includes

BTnet is BT's dedicated internet access service: a fibre access line from your site into BT's network with uncontended bandwidth and the same speed up and down. BT's help pages say BTnet comes as standard with a fully managed router, which BT calls customer premises equipment (CPE), with options from Cisco and Cisco Meraki. BTnet + Cisco router is the Cisco option.

On this plan BT provides:

• The dedicated BTnet line, with uncontended, symmetrical bandwidth at the port speed you order
• An enterprise-grade Cisco router, supplied, configured and managed by BT
• Static assigned IPv4 addresses, plus static or dynamic routed IP addresses as set in your order
• Business Premium Care, BT's support level for BTnet
• BT's BTnet service levels for availability, on-time delivery and latency, set out in BT's terms

BT describes the plan as suiting businesses that want a managed router but prefer to manage their own security. That is the key difference from BTnet Meraki, where BT's managed equipment opens the door to BTnet Security and BTnet Wi-Fi. We do not publish router model numbers: BT chooses suitable hardware for the speed and design you order, and its terms say equipment specifications are available on request.

Where BT's responsibility ends

With managed equipment, BT's terms put the service management boundary at the LAN port of BT's router. BT provides and manages everything up to that port; the cable from it to your own equipment, and everything beyond, is yours.

When BT commissions the service it configures the router and access line so traffic can flow, then runs standard tests by pinging the router. During the life of the service BT may carry out maintenance, including firmware updates, and its terms say it will use reasonable endeavours to give at least five Business Days' notice of planned maintenance, with less in an emergency.

That boundary is the main benefit of the plan. When something goes wrong at the edge of the network, there is less doubt about whose job it is: if the line or BT's router is at fault, it is BT's to resolve under its terms.

Your firewall and security on this plan

BTnet + Cisco router is not a security service. BT's terms are clear that BT does not guarantee the security of BTnet against unauthorised access, and the plan description leaves firewall and security to you. A common design on this plan is to place your own firewall between BT's router and the office network, so:

• BT's router connects you to BT's network and handles routing for the BTnet service
• Your firewall filters traffic, runs VPNs for remote staff and other sites, and applies your security policies
• Your endpoint, email and identity security protects people and devices, which no edge device can do alone

BT's terms also ask that any equipment you connect is protected against viruses and other security breaches, and is compatible with the service. If you would rather BT provided a security layer on the line itself, look at BTnet Meraki with BTnet Security, or compare all three on our BTnet leased line plans page.

Looking after BT's equipment

The Cisco router remains BT's property throughout, although risk in it passes to you on delivery. BT's terms set out some sensible duties for the business hosting it:

• Keep the equipment safe, in a suitable location with secure, continuous power
• Do not move it, alter it or let anyone other than BT's authorised people work on it without BT's written consent
• Insure it against damage, theft and loss; BT can recover costs for loss or damage beyond fair wear and tear
• Tell anyone with an interest in the site, such as a landlord, that the equipment belongs to BT
• At the end of the service, disconnect your own equipment, give BT access and arrange for the router to be returned

One practical point: your bandwidth is limited by the router's specification as well as by the line. BT's terms say that if you flex your bandwidth beyond what the current managed equipment can handle, the equipment must be changed at the same time and a new minimum period starts. If you expect to grow, say so at quote stage so the equipment is sized for the speeds you may need.

Who the managed Cisco router suits

• Businesses with a firewall but no wish to run the edge router, who want BT to handle the line and the device that connects to it
• Smaller IT teams and IT providers who want a clear line between BT's responsibilities and theirs
• Sites running voice over the internet, including BT Cloud Voice, where BT says BTnet is optimised for voice traffic; see a leased line for VoIP
• Organisations planning resilience, where BT configures a second access line as failover, load balancing or back-up

If you already have a capable firewall and an IT team who prefer to own routing too, BTnet wires only may suit better. If you want security and Wi-Fi from the same managed platform, consider BTnet Meraki.

How Forever Communications helps

Choosing the plan is one part of a BTnet order; sizing it properly is the other. As an Authorised Supplier for BT, Forever Communications supplies the BTnet Cisco router plan and can help with both. When you ask us for a quote, we can help you:

• Decide between wires only, the managed Cisco router and Meraki, based on how your IT is run today
• Choose a bearer and port speed with headroom for growth, so equipment changes are less likely later
• Plan where your firewall sits and what your IT team needs from BT's router hand-off
• Work through survey, wayleave and site preparation questions before installation
• Look at resilience options if your site cannot afford to be offline

Pricing depends on site, bearer, speed, plan and term, so ask us for a quote. Contact us with your postcode and what the line is for.