Cisco Systems Inc. on Wednesday posted a 44 percent jump in second-quarter profit to $2.2 billion, or 40 cents a share, sending its stock up in after-hours trading.

Cisco (Nasdaq: CSCO), which employs 4,800 people in the Triangle, said revenue rose to $11.5 billion from $10.4 billion a year ago. The results reflected both strong demand and a streamlined business.

Investors have bought into the networking company’s recent turnaround efforts, with the stock having climbed to close to its highest levels in a year even before the earnings report was issued...