Cisco ASR 9000 Series Aggregation Services Routers

Product Overview

Figure 1. Cisco^® ASR 9000 Series

• Cisco IOS XR modular operating system: The Cisco ASR 9000 Series leverages Cisco IOS XR operating system made famous by the highly successful Cisco CRS-1 Carrier Routing System platform in core deployments. Cisco IOS XR operating system is purpose-built for distributed systems such as the Cisco ASR 9000 Series and uses a microkernel architecture to achieve true modularity. This modularity provides the path to nonstop operations during software image upgrades or module changes, without affecting normal platform operations.

• Fully distributed system: "The Cisco ASR 9000 Series operates in a fully distributed fashion, that is, all packet-forwarding decisions and actions take place on the individual line cards. These high-density Ethernet line- cards are equipped with a specialized network processor that provides a flexible programming infrastructure with high-density Hierarchical Quality-of-Service (H-QoS) services, security, and integrated Synchronous Ethernet. The distributed nature of the Cisco ASR 9000 Series improves resiliency by adding a new dimension in scale for features such as Bidirectional Forwarding Detection (BFD) and Ethernet Operations, Administration, and Maintenance (E-OAM)."

• Operationally efficient and redundant hardware: The Cisco ASR 9000 Series provides an infrastructure where all common components, Route Switch Processors (RSPs), switching fabric, fans, and power supplies, are completely redundant. In addition, the platform is designed such that power is used on an as-needed basis depending on system requirements. Power has been modularized for a true pay-as-you-grow approach reducing capital expenditures (CapEx) and again providing an operationally efficient deployment. The Cisco ASR 9000 also provides a space-optimized small-platform option which uses the Series' common components and retains a central office deployment-ready capability using a patent pending side-to-back airflow design.

• Environmentally conscious design: In today's world of increasing awareness of human impact on the environment and the resultant fiscal implications, Cisco ASR 9000 Series Routers bring a fresh new "conscious" approach to product development. From optimal thermal design to the architecture of the power infrastructure, from the placement of line card components to the pitch of each slot, every design aspect had one goal in mind - reduced environmental impact through lowered power consumption and decreased cooling requirement. Even the product packaging process was evaluated to minimize the use of packaging material and thereby reduce waste at customer locations. The Cisco ASR 9000 Series is an example of the continued Cisco commitment to efficient and future-friendly product design.

Solving the Challenges of Tomorrow, Today

• Power-efficient deployments: The Cisco ASR 9000 Series has a significantly improved energy efficient design thanks to its low Gbps/Watt ratio. This amazing breakthrough ultimately translates to lower power costs, lower carbon footprint, and the ability to serve more customers and deliver more services in less rack space.

• Increasing average revenue per user (ARPU): Service providers may increase the price models of existing services or increase the service offerings per user. While traditional service prices continue to decline, the Cisco ASR 9000 Series helps establish a new financial reality by facilitating reliable and scalable video, next-generation mobile aggregation, and advanced Carrier Ethernet service offerings.

• Managing services efficiently: The Cisco ASR 9000 Series provides leading-edge network, device, and service management through a full complement of management solutions. Cisco Active Network Abstraction (ANA) provides a framework for service activation provisioning, assurance, and management. Combining these elements with a comprehensive set of Ethernet and Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) OAM capabilities, the Cisco ASR 9000 provides an operator-friendly environment.

• Network convergence: A common objective among service providers is to migrate their networks to a single, converged infrastructure that supports all services. This goal is compelling because it ultimately results in less CapEx and operating expenses (OpEx) because of a reduction in network elements. The Cisco ASR 9000 is a critical component in optimizing service transport infrastructure because of its service flexibility, rich feature set, and emphasis on Carrier Ethernet as the foundation for service delivery.

• Meeting tomorrow's service requirements: Designed into the Cisco ASR 9000 are critical capabilities enabling the services of tomorrow. Providing increased bandwidth capabilities for network devices at economically viable prices is one of the primary criteria for true carrier transport platforms. The Cisco ASR 9000 can scale up to 400 Gbps per slot and up to 6.4 Tbps per system, providing the ideal foundation for a full suite of next-generation services. Another crucial component for true network and service convergence is the integration of service intelligence in network elements. The Cisco ASR 9000 has been designed to offer advanced subscriber management as well as use the QuantumFlow Processor to deliver silicon-based security services and video. Video being the "voice" of tomorrow, the Cisco ASR 9000 offers integrated video-on-demand (VoD) streaming and caching, inline video quality monitoring, accelerated fast channel change, and real-time video error correction.

Hardware

Table 1. Hardware Available for Cisco ASR 9000 Series

• Cisco ASR 9000 Series Router Service Processor

• Cisco ASR 9000 Series Ethernet Line Cards

Software

Table 2. Software Feature Highlights

Product Specifications

Figure 2. Cisco^® ASR 9000 Series (with optional doors)

Table 3. Product Specifications

Cisco Services for Cisco ASR 9000

Ordering Information