Cisco ASR  9000 (Aggregation Services Router)

Cisco ASR 9000 License

ASR 9000 is an innovation in router devices introduced by cisco and is powered by IOS XR. Edge networks serve billions of devices with low-latency services. You need feature rich routers that economically scale with bandwidth demand. The ASR 9000 series is your edge routing device capable of supporting the application performance required to power 5G service needs.

Initially you need to know IOS XR is existed in 32bit and 64bit model. 32-bit model has been used in old ASR 9000 series which was QNX based and didn’t support virtualization nor ISSU.

However, Cisco IOS XR Software modular operating system: The Cisco ASR 9000 Series uses the Cisco IOS XR operating system, made famous by the highly successful Cisco CRS Carrier Routing System platform in core deployments. Built for distributed systems such as the Cisco ASR 9000 Series, the Cisco IOS XR operating system 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. now days mostly ASR routers profits from 64-bit version which is twice faster as its architecture that support larger addressable memory, moreover it is Linux based and it could be virtualized as a VM machine or a container, although ASR can be implemented as a virtual machine only. Also, separation of networking OS and admin plane is another benefit of the 64-bit version.

Cisco ASR Licenses

Internal Connection for ASR 9K

On the ASR 9000, IOS XR-64-bit software is implemented using two VMs, an admin and a XR VM on the RP/RSP and on the line cards. So, these cards and IOS XR VMs are connected internally and the management interfaces including the Console and AUX ports are mapped to different IOS XR-64-bit software VM by default.

Cisco ASR 9K Front-Panel Overview

Generally, in Cisco ASR 9000, ASR 9000 RSP (Router Switch Processor) 5 and ASR 9000 RP3 used in the ASR 9922 and 9912 are functionally equivalent except that RP does not have an integrated switch fabric and relies on fabric cards. Switch fabric card 3 is the next-generation of switch fabrics for ASR 9922 and ASR 9912 Routers. It offers traffic load balancing across up to seven fabrics. The switch fabric is the core of the Cisco CRS 4-slot line card chassis.

The switch fabric is implemented through switch fabric cards installed in the chassis. The switch fabric uses scale-switched, buffered three-stage Benes switch fabric architecture. The switch fabric receives user data and performs the switching necessary to route it.

Why Cisco ASR 9000 Routers

The Cisco ASR 9000 Series is built on the premise of addressing the challenges that service providers face when deploying current networks and planning for the networks of tomorrow:

• 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.

• Enhancing Average Revenue Per User (ARPU): Service providers may increase the price models of existing services or increase the service offerings per user. Although 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 professionally: The Cisco ASR 9000 Series provides leading-edge network, device, and service management through a full complement of management solutions. The Cisco Prime for Evolved Programmable Networks provides a framework for service-activation provisioning, assurance, and management. Combining these elements with a comprehensive set of Ethernets and Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) Operations, Administration, and Maintenance (OAM) capabilities, the Cisco ASR 9000 Series 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 decreased CapEx and Operating Expenses (OpEx) because of a reduction in network elements. The Cisco ASR 9000 Series is a critical component in optimizing service-transport infrastructure because of its service flexibility, comprehensive feature set, wide interface capability, and transparent integration of Carrier Ethernet and WAN interfaces as the foundation for services delivery. The Cisco ASR 9000 Series provides a powerful single solution to the providers’ Multiservice Edge (MSE), Ethernet-optimized MSE (E-MSE), and Carrier Ethernet needs.

• Meeting tomorrow’s service requirements: Designed into the Cisco ASR 9000 Series are critical capabilities supporting 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 Series can scale to unprecedented levels, 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 Series is designed to offer advanced subscriber management using silicon-based security and video services. The Cisco ASR 9000 Series offers integrated Video-on-Demand (VoD) streaming and caching, inline video-quality monitoring, accelerated fast-channel change, and real-time video error correction

More Features:

• With line cards supporting 400 GbE.
• Support for coherent optics to drive the convergence of IP and optical layers.
• Committed to forward and backward compatibility.
• Improved port flexibility supporting 1G to 400G and new form factors.
• With industry leading 7nm silicon CPUs delivering significant power savings.
• With a simple, modern, and trustworthy network Operating System (IOS XR).
• Automation ready with open APIs, Native, YANG, and Open Config models.
• With real-time telemetry, segment routing, and Ethernet Virtual Private Networks (EVPNs).
• Improved security including Secure Boot, Cisco Trust Anchor, and anti-counterfeit measures.
• With a Secure Development Lifecycle to ensure manufactured integrity.
• Investment protection for ASR 9000 with continued software and hardware innovations.

Models and Specifications 

Cisco ASR 9000 License

The Cisco ASR 9000 traditional licensing, used to activate all specific functionalities by using Product Authorization Key (PAK) which was provided when you ordered and purchased the right to use a feature set for a particular platform.

Cisco ASR 9000 Smart License

Cisco supports smart license for its ASR router. Cisco ASR license can be activated through Cisco Smart Service Management by generating a registration Token for Cisco ASR devices. Also, this product could be activated permanently by purchasing Cisco ASR 9000 PLR  license. To wrap it up, using IOS XR PLR license would activate all premium features permanently.

Cisco ASR 9000 License

Cisco ASR 9000 Order Pricing

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