Cisco ASR 9903 Compact High-Performance Router Data Sheet

Product overview

Part of the Cisco^® ASR 9000 Series, the Cisco ASR 9903 Router (Figure 1) is a compact, high-performance router that delivers up to 3.6 Tbps of nonblocking, full-duplex capacity in a Three-Rack-Unit (3RU) form factor. Based on the same Cisco IOS^® XR software image as the other routers in the Cisco ASR 9000 Series, the Cisco ASR 9903 Router delivers the features and services found on the ASR 9000 Series platforms, allowing customers to standardize on the same Cisco IOS XR operating system. Multiple port rates are supported by ASR 9903: 400 Gigabit Ethernet, 200 Gigabit Ethernet, 100 Gigabit Ethernet, 40 Gigabit Ethernet, 25 Gigabit Ethernet and 10 Gigabit Ethernet, so it gives customers the flexibility to mix and match interface types on the same chassis and offers operators the readiness for mass-scale networking.

As a fully redundant, high-performance multi-purpose platform, the ASR 9903 router can be used in a wide range of customer's scenarios and use-cases: business PE, metro aggregation, cloud edge, Internet peering, Data Center Interconnect (DCI), and others. The compact size (depth is 600 mm), front-to-back airflow, support of PTP Telecom profiles, and different port rates make this platform very efficient and flexible for using at the mobile edge in 4G/5G networks. Enterprise customers can deploy the ASR 9903 as a border router at the edge of the enterprise network and as a peering router for communication with Internet service providers.

Features and benefits

The ASR 9903 router offers power-optimized architecture with high density of multi-rate ports and super service scales. This allows customers to reduce Capital Expense (CapEx) and Operating Expense (OpEx) while providing highly predictable, flexibly managed service infrastructure.

The Cisco ASR 9903 Router is a compact router that supports two redundant Route Processors (RP), two integrated switch fabrics, 4 AC or DC power supply modules, and 4 fans in redundant configuration. The router consists of the fixed board, with 16 integrated QSFP28-based 100GE ports plus 20 integrated SFP+-based ports and an optional Port Expansion Card (PEC), which can be inserted into the dedicated slot on demand.

The ASR 9903 fixed board supports maximum 1.6T data bandwidth. The integrated physical ports on its faceplate can operate in three combinations: 16x100GE, 15x100GE + 10x10GE or 14x100GE + 20x10GE.

The Cisco ASR 9903 Route Processor (Figure 2) is available in a service edge-optimized version to meet customer requirements for large-scale, comprehensive service deployment and also features a powerful 64-bit Intel CPU and 32GB memory. A set of external interfaces on the front panel includes: console and auxiliary serial ports, two management Ethernet interfaces, a Class A USB port, GPS interface (10Mhz, 1PPS, ToD ports), and two BITS interfaces.

The Cisco A9903-20HG-PEC (Figure 3) offers 20 physical ports with maximum 2T data bandwidth capacity. 5 of the 20 physical ports are 400GE/200GE/100GE multi-rate QSFP-DD/QSFP28-based ports which can be individually migrated to 400GE through a license. The rest 15 ports are 100GE QSFP28-based ports.

The Cisco A9903-8HG-PEC (Figure 3) offers 48 physical ports with maximum 800G data bandwidth capacity. 32 of the 48 physical ports are 25GE/10GE multi-rate SFP28/SFP+ -based ports. The remaining 16 ports are 10GE SFP+ -based ports.

All transceivers that are applicable on the ASR 9903 can be used in any of the ASR 9000 Series of modular chassis.

The QSFP-DD optics have the same mechanical characteristics and cage size as the QSFP28 optics, and the same ports can act as 25 GE and 10 GE (via breakout options), 40 GE, 100 GE, 200 GE, or 400 GE, therefore allowing operators to migrate to 400 GE at their own pace as the need arises.

The ASR 9903 Router is supported starting with Cisco IOS XR Software Release 7.1.25.

Cisco ASR 9903 chassis

Cisco ASR 9903 Route Processor

Cisco ASR 9903 Series 2T Port Expansion Card

Cisco ASR 9903 Series 800G Port Expansion Card

Table 1 lists the features and benefits of the ASR 9903 router. Specific features and scale support are hardware and software dependent.

Table 1.           Features and benefits of the Cisco ASR 9903 compact high-performance router

The ASR 9903 compact high-performance router is available in the service edge variant.

Feature licenses are also available to turn on features on the ASR 9903, as described in the Table 6 “Feature license information for the ASR 9903 router with the Traditional Business Model”.

Product specifications

Table 2 provides product specifications for the ASR 9903 compact high-performance router.

Table 2.           Product specifications

Table 3 provides product specifications for the 2T Port Expansion Card.

Table 3.           Product specifications

Table 4 provides product specifications for the 800G Port Expansion Card.

Table 4.           Product specifications

Ordering information

The ASR 9903 Compact High-Performance router is available to order through the Software Flexible Consumption Model (FCM) and Traditional Business Model.

The Flexible Consumption Model offers a built-in “pay-as-you-grow” structure that lowers initial start-up costs with the ability to add more capacity overtime as needed. Software subscription provides feature upgrades and helps defer the payment of software value for the initial purchase.

Table 5 provides ordering information for the ASR 9903 router with the Flexible Consumption Model.

Table 5.           Ordering information for the ASR 9903 router with the Flexible Consumption Model

For more information, please refer to the Cisco IOS XR Software Flexible Consumption Model Data Sheet.

Table 6 provides hardware ordering information for the ASR 9903 router with the Traditional Business Model.

Table 6.           Hardware ordering information for the ASR 9903 router with the Traditional Business Model

The ASR 9903 compact high-performance router supports optional feature licenses to enable features. Table 7 lists the feature licenses.

Table 7.           Feature license information for the ASR 9903 router with the Traditional Business Model

Downloading the software

Visit the Cisco Software Center to download Cisco IOS Software.

Cisco Services for the Cisco ASR 9000 Series

Through a lifecycle services approach, Cisco delivers comprehensive support to service providers to help them successfully deploy, operate, and optimize their Cisco IP Next-Generation Networks. Cisco Services for the Cisco ASR 9000 Series Aggregation Services Routers provide services and proven methodologies that help ensure service deployment with substantial Return On Investment (ROI), operational excellence, optimal performance, and high availability. These services are delivered using leading practices, tools, processes, and lab environments developed specifically for ASR 9000 Series deployments and post implementation support. The Cisco Services team addresses your specific requirements, mitigates risk to existing revenue-generating services, and helps accelerate time to market for new network services.

Product sustainability

Information about Cisco’s environmental sustainability policies and initiatives for our products, solutions, operations, and extended operations or supply chain is provided in the “Environment Sustainability” section of Cisco’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Report.

Reference links to information about key environmental sustainability topics (mentioned in the “Environment Sustainability” section of the CSR Report) are provided in the following table:

Cisco makes the packaging data available for informational purposes only. It may not reflect the most current legal developments, and Cisco does not represent, warrant, or guarantee that it is complete, accurate, or up to date. This information is subject to change without notice.

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Document history

Table 8.           Document history