"Most of the things Cisco sells to consumers today, the consumer use but never see," Kerrvala said. "They make Linksys routers and TV set-top boxes, so the overall awareness by consumers is low. Consumers say, 'That's the company that makes that Internet stuff.'"

However, Kerravala said Cisco could succeed in the consumer market with the "long hard work of delivering consistent products."

Cisco Eos: A platform is born

Warner Music Group was named by Cisco as the first entertainment company to use the Eos platform for sites from artists Laura Izibor and Sean Paul.

The platform includes analytics and site management tools, Cisco officials said. Eos relies on drawing consumers to recording artists and others at their own branded sites where they can meet other fans through links to YouTube and Facebook, as well as other social networking services.