The integrated services routing architecture of the Cisco 3800 Series is designed to embed and integrate security and voice processing with advanced wired and wireless services for rapid deployment of new applications, including application layer functions, intelligent network services, and converged communications. These routers support the bandwidth requirements for multiple Fast Ethernet interfaces per slot, time-division multiplexing (TDM) interconnections, and fully integrated power distribution to modules supporting 802.3af Power over Ethernet (PoE). And at the same time they still support the existing portfolio of modular interfaces, thereby ensuring continued investment protection to accommodate network expansion or changes in technology as new services and applications are deployed. Uninterrupted business operations and business continuity is supported with WAN link redundancy, On-line Insertion and Removal (OIR) and redundant power supply configurations. By integrating the functions of multiple separate devices into a single compact unit, the Cisco 3800 Series Routers dramatically reduce the cost and complexity of managing remote networks.

The Cisco 3800 Series includes the Cisco 3825 and Cisco 3845 Series Routers. These routers integrate a comprehensive set of security features such as firewall, IPSec and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) VPN, intrusion prevention system (IPS), and voice call processing with advanced wired and wireless services for rapid deployment of new applications that include application layer functions, intelligent network services, and converged communications. The Cisco 3800 Series is available in three optional configurations:

In addition, two new models, C3825-NOVPN and C3845-NOVPN, offer all the features supported by the Cisco 3825 and Cisco 3845 Series, with the exception of VPN payload encryption and secure voice features. These two new models provide a limited set of security features, such as firewall, and IPS, compared to the Cisco 3825 and Cisco 3845 Series Routers.