The Cisco ASR 9000 Series is an operationally simple,
future-optimized platform using next-generation hardware and
software. The following are highlights of this next-generation
platform:
The Cisco ASR 9000 System brings increased power and simplicity to
the edge, and the ASR 9000v sets the industry benchmark as a
virtualized compact carrier-class converged access and aggregation
platform. Using the Cisco “network virtualization” or nV
technology, the Cisco ASR 9000 System offers exceptional
pay-as-you-grow scale, carrier-class reliability, and simplified
service provisioning.
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.
Fully distributed system: The Cisco ASR 9000 Series operates in a
fully distributed fashion; 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 (SyncE). 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 (EOAM).
Operationally efficient and redundant hardware: The Cisco ASR 9000
Series provides an infrastructure where all common components,
Route Switch Processors (RSPs), Route Processors (RPs), switching
fabric, fans and power supplies are redundant. In addition, the
platform is designed to use power 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
providing an operationally efficient deployment. The Cisco ASR 9000
Series also provides a space-optimized small-platform option that
uses the common components of the series and retains a
central-office deployment-ready capability.
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 has one goal in mind: reduced
environmental impact through lowered power consumption and
decreased cooling requirements. 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.
Ready for the transition to IPv6: Cisco is delivering on our
strategy of building out IPv6 next-generation networks to simplify
design, deployment, and management of services for global service
providers. The Cisco ASR 9000 Series Virtualized Service Module
(VSM) provides a single touch point for carrier-grade IPv6
deployment across thousands of devices.
The Cisco ASR 9000 Series offers a significant added value compared
to the prior generations of Carrier Ethernet routing offerings with
significantly higher switching capacity, optimized power and
cooling requirements, an innovative modular power architecture, a
grounds-up high-availability design, and the Cisco IOS XR modular
operating system to significantly lower the Total Cost of Ownership
(TCO) for service providers the world over.
