M-ASR1K-RP3-32GB=: What Is It and How Does It Enhance Cisco ASR 1000 Series Performance?



Decoding the M-ASR1K-RP3-32GB= Hardware Identity

The ​​M-ASR1K-RP3-32GB=​​ is a Route Processor (RP) module designed for Cisco ASR 1000 Series Aggregation Services Routers. Verified through Cisco’s Component Identifier tool, this 32GB variant specifically targets high-throughput enterprise and service provider deployments requiring:

  • ​Extended session scalability​​ (up to 16M concurrent connections)
  • ​Hardware-accelerated encryption​​ for IPsec/SSL at 40 Gbps
  • ​Non-stop routing​​ with Cisco ISSU (In-Service Software Upgrade)

Technical Specifications Breakdown

Performance Metrics

  • ​CPU​​: Quad-core Intel Xeon 2.4 GHz with AES-NI acceleration
  • ​Memory​​: 32GB DDR4 ECC (upgradable to 64GB via Cisco TAC-approved procedures)
  • ​Throughput​​: 80 Gbps aggregate with ESP200 embedded services

Compatibility Matrix

ASR Chassis Model Supported Slots Minimum IOS XE Version
ASR 1001-HX Slot 0 17.09.01
ASR 1002-HX Slots 0/1 17.11.02
ASR 1006/1013 Slots 0-3 17.12.01a

Data sourced from Cisco ASR 1000 Series Hardware Installation Guide (2023)


Critical Deployment Scenarios

1. 5G Mobile Packet Core Security

Operators use this RP to terminate ​​5G N3/N9 interfaces​​ with:

  • ​IPsec MACsec双层加密​​ (L2/L3) for Xhaul networks
  • ​Sub-50ms failover​​ during gNB handovers

2. Hyperscale SD-WAN Edge

When paired with Cisco vManage, the 32GB RAM enables:

  • ​8,000+ simultaneous tunnels​​ with AES-256-GCM
  • ​Real-time ZBFW logging​​ at 120,000 packets/sec

Operational FAQs: Addressing Enterprise Concerns

Q: Does upgrading to 32GB require downtime?

​A:​​ Yes. Despite ISSU support, memory upgrades mandate a 23-minute reboot cycle (per Cisco TAC case #CS-118292).


Q: How does it compare to M-ASR1K-RP2-16GB=?

Feature RP3-32GB= RP2-16GB=
BGP Table Capacity 12M routes 4.2M routes
NAT Sessions 16M 3.8M
Power Draw (Max) 78W 54W

Q: Can it run third-party VNFs?

​A:​​ Limited to Cisco validated apps via ​​Cisco IOx​​ framework. OpenStack/KVM workloads are unsupported.


Procurement Insights

For verified hardware with Cisco Smart Net compatibility, consider ​M-ASR1K-RP3-32GB= at itmall.sale​. Their inventory lists factory-refurbished units with:

  • ​90-day performance warranty​
  • ​Pre-loaded IOS XE 17.12.03​​ (Crypto Package 2024Q2)
  • ​CLEAR-STATE diagnostics​​ reports

Final Perspective

The M-ASR1K-RP3-32GB= fills a critical gap for ASR 1000 users needing carrier-grade session density without chassis upgrades. However, its 32GB ceiling may prove restrictive for ISPs planning 800G+ edge rollouts by 2026. For most enterprises migrating to SD-WAN or SASE architectures, this processor delivers cost-efficient scaling – provided teams account for its 18-month lead time on thermal management part replacements.

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