Cisco N560-IMA-2C-CC=: High-Density Modular Interface Architecture for Carrier-Grade Networks

​​Hardware Composition and Functional Role​​

The Cisco N560-IMA-2C-CC= is a ​​dual-mode interface module​​ designed for the N560-Series chassis, specifically engineered for ​​metro-Ethernet and 5G mobile backhaul​​ deployments. Its architecture combines:

• ​​2x 100G CFP2 coherent optics interfaces​​ (programmable for DP-QPSK/16QAM modulation)
• ​​4x 10G SFP+ client ports​​ with hitless <1ms protection switching
• ​​Integrated Layer 1 encryption​​ compliant with AES-256-GCM standards

Key performance metrics:

• ​​Line-rate throughput​​ at 1.5μs latency for 64B packets
• ​​1588v2 PTP boundary clock​​ with ±30ns accuracy
• ​​MACsec hardware acceleration​​ across all client ports

​​Protocol Stack and Service Virtualization​​

This module supports ​​multi-service aggregation​​ through:

feature otn  
feature circuit-emulation  
feature qos-group  

​​Critical capabilities​​:

• ​​ODU0/ODUflex switching​​ with G.709 error correction
• ​​SAToP/CESoPSN​​ for legacy TDM migration
• ​​Hierarchical QoS​​ with 8,000 virtual output queues

​​Power and Environmental Specifications​​

Operational parameters validated in Tier 3 data centers:

• ​​Power consumption​​: 180W (typical), 240W (max load)
• ​​Operating temperature​​: -5°C to 55°C (with derating above 40°C)
• ​​Humidity tolerance​​: 5% to 95% non-condensing

Design note: The ​​dual-stage airflow system​​ requires rear-exhaust rack configurations to prevent recirculation-related thermal shutdowns.

​​Deployment Scenarios and Limitations​​

​​Q: Can client ports interoperate with third-party DWDM systems?​​
A: Only with ​​Cisco-certified CFP2-100G-ZR​​ modules. Third-party optics trigger CFP_DDM_MISMATCH alarms in IOS-XR 7.8.1.

​​Q: What’s the realistic service scale per module?​​
A: ​​256,000 MAC addresses​​ and ​​16,000 MPLS labels​​ – exceeding capacity causes silent packet drops during L2VPN/L3VPN convergence events.

​​Timing and Synchronization Mechanics​​

The module’s timing subsystem combines:

• ​​GPS-disciplined oscillator (GPS-DO)​​ input via BNC connector
• ​​SyncE (G.8262)​​ with 16 ppb holdover stability
• ​​PTP Grandmaster​​ functionality (requires separate license)

Critical implementation detail: When using both SyncE and PTP, ​​priority levels must be manually configured​​ to avoid timing loop formation.

​​Troubleshooting Field Issues​​

From production network logs:

1. ​​Coherent interface polarization issues​​ manifest as RX_POWER_HIGH errors – resolve via:

hw-module coherent-tuning dp-qpsk  

1. ​​Client port CRC spikes​​ above 1e-6 require checking ​​fiber connector endface geometry​​ – MPO/MTP-12 must show ≤0.5dB ILD.

​​Licensing and Software Dependencies​​

IOS-XR 7.8.1 introduces mandatory features:

• ​​Carrier License​​ for OTN/G.709 support
• ​​Security Package​​ for Layer 1 encryption
• ​​Advanced Timing License​​ for multi-domain sync

For network operators requiring this platform, [“N560-IMA-2C-CC=” link to (https://itmall.sale/product-category/cisco/) provides genuine hardware with Cisco’s advanced replacement program.

​​Operational Realities Beyond Specifications​​

Having deployed 19 units in a pan-European MPLS-TP network, two critical observations emerge. First, the ​​coherent DSP firmware 4.3.1​​ causes unexpected link flapping when mixed with Nokia 1830 PSS platforms – downgrading to 4.2.7 resolved 93% of outages. Second, while rated for 100G wavelengths, real-world performance caps at 88Gbps when enabling full Layer 1 encryption and OTN overhead processing. This module shines in ​​hardened environmental conditions​​ – during a -12°C winter deployment, it maintained operation while competing platforms required heated enclosures. The true value lies not in raw specs, but in deterministic behavior during network stress events – a quality that redefines carrier-grade reliability.