For the period ended Oct. 25, 2008, Cisco posted first quarter net sales of US$10.3 billion, and net income - excluding certain items - of $2.5 billion, or 42 cents per share. This is 3 cents per share better than analyst estimates.

"We had a solid quarter, especially with the many challenges in global marketplace," Cisco CEO John Chambers said in a conference call on the quarter. Chambers later added that he believes Cisco has "the strongest position in customer relationships in the enterprise and service provider" markets.

Switching revenue was $3.6 billion, up 8% from last year. Routing revenue was $1.9 billion, up 1% from Q1, '08.

Advanced Technologies, which includes unified communications, wireless LAN, , security and networked home, was $2.7 billion, up 17% from last year. Unified communications grew 22%, WLANs 21%, and security 19% from last year, Cisco said.

"Other" products, including optical and cable, was down 13% from last year.