Having previously said that it had added firewall and intrusion-detection features to its IOS security software, Cisco Systems Inc has now clarified its position and said that those features will not actually be integrated into the product until the first quarter of 2003.

Earlier this month, San Jose, California-based Cisco said that it had added the functionality to IOS as part of 12 platform and services enhancements that reinforced its leadership in the security market. Now it appears the company might have been a little over-eager. In a terse statement, it noted that it will not be available until next year.

Another of the announced enhancements to IOS was said to be the addition of functionality for IP Security virtual private network services, including support for the Advanced Encryption Standard, Dynamic Multipoint VPNs, Network Address Translation, and enhanced Quality of Service. Cisco had previously stated that "Cisco routing platforms support the new advanced security services within Cisco IOS software."

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