Cisco
A networking hardware company whose stock experienced a massive run-up during the dot-com bubble, followed by a significant crash. It is frequently used as a historical analogy to question whether Nvidia's current valuation is sustainable.
First Mentioned
10/12/2025, 6:00:18 AM
Last Updated
10/12/2025, 6:01:28 AM
Research Retrieved
10/12/2025, 6:01:28 AM
Summary
Cisco Systems, Inc., commonly known as Cisco, is an American multinational technology conglomerate headquartered in San Jose, California. Founded in December 1984 by Stanford University computer scientists Leonard Bosack and Sandy Lerner, Cisco pioneered the concept of connecting distant computers using a multiprotocol router system. The company develops, manufactures, and sells a wide range of networking hardware, software, telecommunications equipment, and other high-technology products and services, specializing in areas such as the Internet of Things (IoT), domain security, videoconferencing, and energy management with offerings like Webex, OpenDNS, Jabber, Duo Security, Silicon One, and Jasper. Cisco went public in 1990 and, by the peak of the dot-com bubble in 2000, had achieved a market capitalization of $500 billion, briefly becoming the world's most valuable company. Its historical market trajectory, particularly its rapid rise and subsequent market dynamics, has been drawn as a parallel to current trends observed in companies like Nvidia, raising strategic questions about the long-term risk of commoditization.
Referenced in 1 Document
Research Data
Extracted Attributes
Type
Multinational technology conglomerate corporation
Phone
408 526 4000, 800 553 6387 (toll-free)
Country
United States
Founded
1984-12-01
Founders
Leonard Bosack, Sandy Lerner
Common Name
Cisco
Headquarters
San Jose, California, United States
Key Products
Webex, OpenDNS, Jabber, Duo Security, Silicon One, Jasper
Stock Ticker
CSCO
Official Name
Cisco Systems, Inc.
Stock Indices
Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500, Nasdaq-100, Russell 1000
Stock Exchange
Nasdaq
Specializations
Internet of Things (IoT), domain security, videoconferencing, energy management
Number of Employees
66,639
Legal Mailing Address
170 West Tasman Drive, San Jose, CA 95134
Products and Services
Networking hardware, software, telecommunications equipment, high-technology products and services
Core Concept Pioneered
Connecting distant computers over a multiprotocol router system
Market Capitalization (peak)
$500 billion (in 2000)
Timeline
- Cisco Systems, Inc. was founded by Leonard Bosack and Sandy Lerner. (Source: summary, Wikipedia, web_search_results)
1984-12-01
- Cisco went public. (Source: summary, Wikipedia)
1990-01-01
- Achieved a market capitalization of $500 billion, briefly becoming the world's most valuable company during the dot-com bubble. (Source: summary, Wikipedia)
2000-01-01
- Cisco stock (CSCO) was added to the Dow Jones Industrial Average. (Source: summary, Wikipedia)
2009-06-08
Wikipedia
View on WikipediaCisco
Cisco Systems, Inc. (using the trademark Cisco) is an American multinational digital communications technology conglomerate corporation headquartered in San Jose, California. Cisco develops, manufactures, and sells networking hardware, software, telecommunications equipment and other high-technology services and products. Cisco specializes in specific tech markets, such as the Internet of things (IoT), domain security, videoconferencing, and energy management with products including Webex, OpenDNS, Jabber, Duo Security, Silicon One, and Jasper. Cisco Systems was founded in December 1984 by Leonard Bosack and Sandy Lerner, two Stanford University computer scientists. They pioneered the concept of a local area network (LAN) being used to connect distant computers over a multiprotocol router system. The company went public in 1990 and, by the end of the dot-com bubble in 2000, had a market capitalization of $500 billion, surpassing Microsoft as the world's most valuable company. Cisco stock (CSCO), trading on Nasdaq since 1990, was added to the Dow Jones Industrial Average on June 8, 2009. It is also included in the S&P 500, Nasdaq-100, and the Russell 1000 indices.
Web Search Results
- Cisco - Wikipedia
Cisco Systems, Inc. (using the trademark Cisco) is an American multinational digital communications technology conglomerate "Conglomerate (company)") corporation headquartered in San Jose, California. Cisco develops, manufactures, and sells networking hardware, software, telecommunications equipment and other high-technology services and products. Cisco specializes in specific tech markets, such as the Internet of things (IoT), domain security, videoconferencing, and energy management with [...] Cisco Systems was founded in December 1984 by Leonard Bosack and Sandy Lerner, two Stanford University computer scientists. They pioneered the concept of a local area network (LAN) being used to connect distant computers over a multiprotocol router system "Router (computing)"). The company went public in 1990 and, by the end of the dot-com bubble in 2000, had a market capitalization of $500 billion, surpassing Microsoft as the world's most valuable company. [...] Cisco Systems was founded in December 1984 by Sandy Lerner, along with her husband Leonard Bosack. Lerner was the director of computer facilities for the Stanford University Graduate School of Business. Bosack was in charge of the Stanford University computer science department's computers.
- Cisco Networking Solution Overview
Cisco is the only vendor with the enterprise-wide strategy and architecture to deliver on the vision of closed-loop intent-based networking across every domain (access, WAN, data center, and cloud). Only Cisco intent-based networking provides the flexibility, simplicity, and confidence your organization needs to power its digital future: Flexibility ● Adopt a flexible architecture that allows you to continuously align to your organization’s evolving needs. [...] Cisco Networking enables you to quickly adapt to change, simplify and scale operations, and protect against service degradation and threats. It delivers policy-based automation, integrated security, and AI-enabled analytics in the front. And builds on an open, controller-based platform approach in the back. [...] The Cisco® Networking portfolio is designed to help IT keep up with all the demands of a modern organization. It’s built around a controller-based Intent-Based Network (IBN) architecture that delivers insights and automation to continuously learn and adapt to your organization’s needs.
- Cisco Systems | CSCO Stock Price, Company Overview & News
Cisco Systems, Inc. engages in the design, manufacture, and sale of Internet Protocol based networking products and services related to the communications and information technology industry. The firm operates through the following geographical segments: the Americas, EMEA, and APJC. Its product comprises of the following categories: Switches, Routers, Wireless, Network Management Interfaces and Modules, Optical Networking, Access Points, Outdoor and Industrial Access Points, Next-Generation [...] Cisco Systems, Inc. engages in the design, manufacture, and sale of Internet Protocol based networking products and services related to the communications and information technology industry. The firm operates through the following geographical segments: the Americas, EMEA, and APJC. Its product comprises of the following categories: Switches, Routers, Wireless, Network Management Interfaces and Modules, Optical Networking, Access Points, Outdoor and Industrial Access Points, Next-Generation [...] | Oct 1, 2025 | 67.90 | 68.82 | 67.69 | 68.75 | 68.34 | 15,530,716 | | Sep 30, 2025 | 67.70 | 68.77 | 67.69 | 68.42 | 68.01 | 20,498,939 | | Sep 29, 2025 | 67.72 | 67.95 | 67.44 | 67.72 | 67.31 | 14,358,252 | | Sep 26, 2025 | 67.87 | 67.91 | 66.85 | 67.22 | 66.82 | 15,077,408 | | Sep 25, 2025 | 67.32 | 68.23 | 67.11 | 67.85 | 67.44 | 22,351,675 | | Sep 24, 2025 | 67.70 | 67.86 | 66.89 | 67.32 | 66.92 | 17,433,102 |
- About Cisco
Skip to Main content Skip to search Skip to Footer ## Our technology connects the world Cisco offers an industry-leading portfolio of technology innovations. With networking, security, collaboration, cloud management, and more, we help to securely connect industries and communities. Explore our technology ## Calling all talents Don't just find a job. Find your passion. Something you can believe in. Our shared purpose creates a unique culture that makes our work more meaningful.
- About Us - Cisco
Our industry-leading portfolio of technology innovations comprises products, solutions, and services. With networking, security, collaboration, observability, cloud management, and more, we help to securely connect organizations, industries, and communities. ### News and perspectives The Cisco Newsroom is our hub for news, thought leadership, features, events, reports, and press materials. [...] Cisco delivers the critical infrastructure to help organizations thrive in the AI era. By fusing networking, security, observability, and collaboration, we power how people and technology work together. See company overviewContact us Powered by Purpose Driven by our Purpose to Power an Inclusive Future for All, we combine our technology, people, and broader ecosystem to help address society's greatest challenges. Image 39 ### Innovations for your digital future [...] Don't just find a job. Find your passion. Something you can believe in. Our shared Purpose at Cisco creates a unique culture that makes our work more meaningful. Explore Cisco careersSee why it's a great place to work Facts and information ### Corporate headquarters 3098 Olsen Drive San Jose,CA 95128 ### Legal mailing address Cisco Systems, Inc. 170 West Tasman Drive San Jose,CA 95134 ### Phone 408 526 4000 800 553 6387 (toll-free) ### Products and services
Wikidata
View on WikidataImage
, Cisco San Jose Main Campus.jpg)
Country
Founder
Employees
66,639Instance Of
Headquarters
Inception Date
1/1/1984
Location Data
Cisco, Eastland County, Texas, 76437, United States
Coordinates: 32.3881293, -98.9793386
Open Map