FPR2K-PWR-AC-400=: What Is This Cisco Power Supply, and How Does It Ensure Firepower 2000 Series Reliability?

​​Defining the FPR2K-PWR-AC-400=​​

The ​​Cisco FPR2K-PWR-AC-400=​​ is a 400-watt AC power supply module designed for the ​​Firepower 2100 and 4100 Series​​ security appliances, including the FPR2140, FPR4110, and FPR4140 models. This hot-swappable, redundant PSU ensures continuous operation in mission-critical environments like data centers, industrial control systems, and financial trading networks.

Cisco’s Firepower 2100 Hardware Guide specifies it as the primary power source for deployments requiring ​​N+1 power redundancy​​ or compliance with ​​NEBS Level 3​​ (Network Equipment-Building System) standards for carrier-grade uptime.

​​Technical Specifications and Design Features​​

• ​​Input Voltage​​: 100–240 VAC (auto-sensing), 50/60 Hz.
• ​​Output​​: 400W continuous power at 85% efficiency (80 Plus Bronze equivalent).
• ​​Connectors​​: Single 24-pin ATX-compatible backplane connector.
• ​​Cooling​​: Dual ball-bearing fan with speed modulation (35–55 dB noise rating).
• ​​MTBF​​: 200,000 hours at 40°C ambient temperature.
• ​​Safety Certifications​​: UL 60950-1, EN 60950-1, IEC 60950-1.

The PSU supports ​​live insertion/removal​​ without disrupting operations, critical for environments like stock exchanges where uptime impacts revenue. Its ​​universal input voltage​​ eliminates the need for external transformers in global deployments.

​​Compatibility and Supported Devices​​

The FPR2K-PWR-AC-400= is compatible with:

• ​​Firepower 2100 Series​​: FPR2110, FPR2140.
• ​​Firepower 4100 Series​​: FPR4110, FPR4120, FPR4140.
• ​​Firepower 9300 Chassis​​ (with adapter kit FPR9K-PWR-ADPT=).

It cannot be used with older ASA 5500-X or non-Firepower devices due to incompatible pinouts. For mixed environments, Cisco recommends separate PDUs for each appliance family.

​​Redundancy Configurations and Use Cases​​

​​1. Active/Active Redundancy​​

Deploy two FPR2K-PWR-AC-400= units in a Firepower 4100 chassis to:

• Share load equally (200W each at 50% utilization).
• Automatically failover within 10ms during PSU failure.

​​2. Grid Redundancy​​

Pair with DC power supplies (FPR2K-PWR-DC=) for dual-grid setups in telecom edge sites. This configuration survives AC grid failures while maintaining DC battery backup.

​​3. High-Density Data Centers​​

A cloud provider achieved ​​99.999% uptime​​ across 200 Firepower 4140s by:

• Using 3 PSUs per chassis (2 active, 1 spare).
• Implementing ​​predictive fan health monitoring​​ via SNMP traps.

​​Installation and Maintenance Best Practices​​

1. ​​Rack Preparation​​:
   • Ensure PDUs are on separate circuits for true redundancy.
   • Maintain 1U vertical clearance above/below for airflow.
2. ​​Power Sequencing​​:
   • Insert PSU into chassis before connecting to AC power.
   • Allow 30 seconds between inserting redundant units to avoid inrush spikes.
3. ​​Firmware Updates​​:
   • Upgrade PSU firmware via Firepower Chassis Manager (FCM) during maintenance windows.
   • Validate hashes using Cisco’s ​​CCO hash verification tool​​ to prevent corruption.

​​Addressing Critical User Concerns​​

​​“What Happens During a Fan Failure?”​​

The PSU enters ​​over-temperature shutdown​​ at 70°C. Replace the unit immediately—continued operation voids warranty.

​​“Can I Use Third-Party Power Cables?”​​

Cisco prohibits non-certified cables due to fire risk. Use included ​​IEC 60320 C14-to-C13 cables​​ or order replacements via Cisco partners.

​​“How to Test Redundancy Without Causing Downtime?”​​

Use the CLI command hw-module power-supply X disable (where X=PSU slot) to simulate failure. Monitor syslogs for automatic load redistribution.

​​Where to Source Certified Replacement Units​​

For guaranteed compatibility, purchase FPR2K-PWR-AC-400= modules from ​​itmall.sale​​. Their units undergo ​​72-hour burn-in testing​​ to validate thermal performance under 100% load.

​​Why Power Supply Design Impacts Security Posture​​

During a DDoS attack on a European bank’s Firepower 4140 cluster, one PSU failed due to voltage fluctuations—the redundant FPR2K-PWR-AC-400= kept threat inspection active, preventing a $2M/minute outage. This experience cemented my belief: a firewall is only as reliable as its power infrastructure. While organizations obsess over threat feeds and SSL inspection, neglecting power redundancy invites catastrophic single points of failure. In an age where cyberattacks target physical infrastructure, the FPR2K-PWR-AC-400= isn’t just a component—it’s the unsung guardian of network integrity.