Paris Hilton and Cisco’s rise in the storage networking market have
followed surprisingly similar paths to success. At face value, you
wouldn’t believe it (and the term success is certainly subjective here),
but stay with me for a moment and follow the timeline below:
Cisco Storage and Paris Hilton Timeline:
A) Introduction
- Backed by strong corporations, two offshoots take significant steps
forward. Many doubt their capabilities to succeed, yet both gleam with
familiar star qualities.
2001: Cisco Enters Storage Switch Marketplace, doubters in tow.
2001: Paris Enters Hollywood with a cameo in Zoolander, no talent.
B) On the Rise:
- Moving past their doubters, both brands are gaining serious traction
in their respective marketplaces. Cisco has just turned 20 and Paris is
hot on the heels of her viral video scandal.
2004: Cisco Announces CCIE certification for Storage Networking.
2004: Paris releases autobiography, Confessions of an Heiress.
C) Legitimacy?
- Whether feared by a storage networking competitor or a reality TV show
contestant, each has gained significant mindshare (if not respect).
2006: Brocade announces purchase of McData to square off against Cisco.
2006: Time Magazine remarks that on new album, “Paris ain’t bad.”
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The inspiration for this post dates back to 2004, when the website,
RouterGod Magazine, posted a faux interview with Ms. Hilton discussing
the prospects of Cisco’s MDS line and the then new CCIE storage
certification.
“We selected mega-skank Paris Hilton because, like the CCIE/Storage program, she's here but nobody knows why.”
Sound ridiculous? Well it is, but it’s also one of many hilarious
parody interviews that you’ll find on their site with celebrity personas
discussing Cisco technologies. They actually put out some great
information amidst the comedy and the, umm… imagery. Our salespeople and
techs say they really do just read it for the articles though. 
BoingBoing – A Directory of Wonderful Things.
Here is a sampling of additional interviews from RouterGod Magazine:
Jessica Simpson on Open Source Routers
Gary Coleman on Priority Cueing
Fabio on IGRP