The Cisco MC3810 series multiservice access concentrator integrates data, voice/fax, and video signals and connects them to Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), Frame Relay, or leased-line networks.

Through its various ports, the Cisco MC3810 series concentrator can support a variety of network and user interfaces, including T1/E1 trunks, serial data ports, an Ethernet LAN connection, private branch exchanges (PBXs), telephone key systems, analog telephones, and Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) Basic Rate Interface (BRI) services.

Five basic hardware variations of Cisco MC3810 series concentrators are available, based on the choice of optional modules. All five chassis variations are equipped with two serial data ports, one Ethernet 10BaseT port, and two administrative ports.

• Base chassis—No optional modules installed; traffic interfaces are limited to the two serial data ports and one Ethernet port
• Analog voice chassis—Supports up to six analog voice ports; optionally supports T1/E1 trunk, BRI backup, and a video codec dialing interface (see note)
• Digital voice chassis—Supports up to 24 channels of toll-quality voice; optionally supports T1/E1 trunk, BRI backup, and video codec dialing interface (see note)
• BRI voice chassis—Supports eight channels of voice through 4 BRI ports using QSIG signaling; optionally supports BRI backup and video codec dialing interface (see note)
• T1/E1 trunk chassis—Supports a T1 or E1 trunk; optionally supports BRI backup and video codec dialing interface (see note)

The Cisco MC3810 was first introduced in 1997 and led the integration of voice into Frame Relay and ATM networks for Cisco enterprise customers. This platform later evolved in the "V3" version that added additional functionality and improved performance. Unfortunately, components on this platform are being discontinued causing the need to EOS the Cisco MC3810V3.

Since 1997, Enterprise voice networks have evolved and today Cisco is driving AVVID (Architecture for Voice, Video and Integrated Data) as the blue print for this integration. The Cisco 2600 and 3600 Series platforms have been tremendously successful in the Enterprise networks. The new Cisco 2600XM Series, and Cisco 3700 Series offer improved performance, and enable easier migration for Enterprise's to converged data, voice, and video networks. This is reflected in the product substitution recommendations in Table 2.