The Cisco uBR7223 is derived from the industry leading Cisco uBR7246 which itself combines the power of a Cisco 7200 series router with the high-speed network access of a cable modem termination system (CMTS), all in one package, hence the name: Universal Broadband Router. By combining these two essential functions, the uBR conserves valuable headend rack space and allows cable operators to deploy routing capability in every CMTS location, which improves network performance. And there's no cost penalty for adding this advanced capability, because the uBR is priced competitively with other vendors' CMTS-only solutions.While the Cisco uBR7246 was the first system to enable large cable operators to have cost-effective standards-based scalable solutions, operators of small to medium-sized cable systems have been left with solutions that were either too expensive or were based on proprietary and closed architectures or, most often, both.Cisco has always prided itself in listening to its customers and the Cisco uBR7223 is a prime example of attention to customer needs. For the first time, the Cisco uBR7223 brings the cost effectiveness of a Cisco uBR7246 to much smaller network installations, in a compact, integrated, MCNS Data-over-Cable Service Interface Specifications (DOCSIS)- compliant package, while still keeping most of the higher-end features of its bigger brother.The Cisco uBR7223 provides cable operators with a cost-effective, scalable, and feature-rich interface between subscriber cable modems and the backbone data network, particularly for smaller installations or for installations in areas where penetration is not expected to be very high.The Cisco uBR7223 enables smaller cable operators, municipalities, as well as any other operator who may have access to cable network infrastructure, to offer high-speed data services to their customers while maximizing the efficiency of their network bandwidth utilization. This, in turn, allows the operators to derive higher profits from the same scarce network resources.In addition, Cisco's partnerships with consumer electronics manufacturers ensure that low-cost cable modems are readily available from multiple sources and are guaranteed to be interoperable right from the start.