Hardware Overview

This chapter covers the following topics:

• Cisco ASA 5510 hardware overview
• Cisco ASA 5520 hardware overview
• Cisco ASA 5540 hardware overview
• Cisco ASA AIP-SSM module overview

The Cisco ASA 5500 Series Adaptive Security Appliance provides an advanced Adaptive Identification and Mitigation (AIM) architecture and is a key component of the Cisco Self-Defending Network. Three Cisco ASA 5500 Series models are available:

• Cisco ASA 5510
• Cisco ASA 5520
• Cisco ASA 5540

This chapter provides an overview of the Cisco ASA 5500 Series Adaptive Security Appliance hardware, including performance and technical specifications. It also provides an overview of the Adaptive Inspection and Prevention Security Services Module (AIP-SSM), which is required for IPS features.