CISCO PORTAL™ BLUETOOTH DONGLE
Wirelessly Control Cisco Catalyst Switches at Your Fingertips
Brand: CISCO
Development: 2012
“Secure Management, Made Wireless”
The Bluetooth dongle on a Cisco Catalyst switch works like a small adapter that creates a wireless management connection. When plugged into the USB port, it allows your laptop or mobile device to pair with the switch over Bluetooth.
BRIEF
SIMPLY ACCESS
Turn a USB port into a wireless gateway, making setup and management faster and easier without extra cables.
SMARTER STORAGE
Give the device a clear, recognizable form and design a solution that makes it easy to store, find, and carry — so it won’t get lost in a drawer.
LED LIT BUTTON
Include a haptic touch button with a soft LED glow, creating simple, memorable interaction every time it’s used.
IDEATION THROUGH SKETCHES
Early sketches capture raw ideas quickly, allowing multiple directions to be explored side by side. This stage focuses on form, proportion, and interaction without the constraints of detail.
COLLABORATION WITH ENGINEERS
Worked closely with engineering teams to align design intent with technical feasibility. Explored real product dimensions based on potential PCBA layouts, component stacking, and assembly constraints. Considered materials, manufacturing methods, and integration of parts such as the LED module with touch sensor to ensure the design was both functional and production-ready.
CREATING PROTOTYPES
Developed 3D CAD models and physical prototypes to review form, size, and usability. Explored attachment features including a pocket clip and a magnetic solution, allowing the device to be carried easily or secured directly onto a server rack.
CREATING PROTOTYPES
After evaluating the first round of prototypes, updates were made to enhance both function and appearance. The clip material was specified as a durable metal wire, replacing the earlier plastic design to improve strength and reliability. The overall form was refined in CAD to achieve a sleeker and softer silhouette, with softened edges and balanced proportions for a more approachable look. Surface finishes were considered to create a professional yet consumer-friendly feel — matte textures for grip, subtle gloss highlights for visual clarity, and a consistent material palette aligned with Cisco’s design identity.
TESTING A FUNCTIONAL PROTOTYPE
A fully functional prototype was created in collaboration with a manufacturing vendor. The PCBA and magnetic attachment feature were integrated into the model and tested in a real environment to validate performance and usability. The prototype was reviewed with stakeholders, and the design received approval to move forward into mass production.
