NCS2002-STRT-KIT: Core Components and Operational Best Practices for Cisco’s Optical Network Deployment

​​Functional Overview of the NCS2002-STRT-KIT​​

The ​​NCS2002-STRT-KIT​​ is a pre-configured deployment bundle for Cisco’s NCS 2002 shelf system, designed to accelerate the rollout of flexible-grid DWDM networks. Tailored for metro and regional operators, this kit provides ​​hardware​​, ​​software​​, and ​​documentation​​ to establish a fully operational optical transport node within 4 hours—a 70% reduction compared to piecemeal installations. Cisco’s internal field trials show it eliminates 92% of common configuration errors during initial bring-up.

​​Component Inventory and Technical Specifications​​

​​Hardware Contents​​

• ​​NCS2002-SHELF-AC​​: 2RU chassis with dual 650W AC power supplies
• ​​NCS2K-MF-10G-C=​​: 10x 10G SFP+ client interfaces (100GHz ITU grid)
• ​​NCS2K-MR-4D=​​: 400G muxponder with soft-decision FEC (oFEC)
• ​​NCS2K-FAN-TRAY=​​: N+1 redundant fan module with 55 CFM airflow

​​Software and Licensing​​

• ​​Cisco Transport Controller 7.3.1​​: Pre-loaded for web-based provisioning
• ​​NCS2K-ADV-OPT-LIC=​​: Advanced optics license for Raman amplification control
• ​​Cisco Prime Optical 3.12​​: 90-day trial for legacy EMS integration

​​Deployment Workflow and Performance Optimization​​

​​Rapid Site Commissioning​​

A Tier 2 European ISP achieved:

• ​​4-hour node activation​​ using the kit’s auto-discovery feature
• ​​Automatic dispersion compensation​​ via ncs2k-dsp-tune scripts
• ​​0% packet loss​​ during 10G->400G service migration

​​Grid Flexibility and Spectral Efficiency​​

The kit supports:

• ​​Flexible channel spacing​​ (12.5 GHz granularity)
• ​​C+L band expansion​​ using external Raman pumps
• ​​3.2 Tbps per fiber​​ via 8x 400G super-channels

​​Compatibility and Integration Constraints​​

​​Supported Network Architectures​​

• ​​Third-party ROADMs​​: Limited to OpenROADM 2.2.1 via TL1 proxy
• ​​Legacy amplifiers​​: Requires NCS2K-ADV-OPT-LIC= for hybrid EDFA-Raman control
• ​​NCS 1000 series​​: XFPs must use G.709 framing for interoperability

​​Firmware and Software Dependencies​​

• ​​IOS XR 7.10.2+​​ for telemetry streaming to Crosswork
• ​​DSP firmware 21.9+​​ for nonlinear mitigation in >80km spans
• ​​Python 3.8+​​ for ZTP (Zero Touch Provisioning) scripts

​​Common Deployment Challenges and Solutions​​

​​Optical Power Imbalance​​

Improper launch power settings during muxponder activation:

Router(config-optics)# tx-power adjust  
Router(config-optics)# target osnr 18.5 dB  

Monitor with show optics health until ΔOSNR <0.3 dB across channels.

​​License Activation Delays​​

Mismatches between kit licenses and chassis UUIDs cause:

• %LICENSE-4-NOAUTH alerts during service creation
• Blocked access to soft-decision FEC profiles

​​Procurement Strategies and Cost Analysis​​

For lab environments or non-critical nodes, [NCS2002-STRT-KIT link to (https://itmall.sale/product-category/cisco/) provides 60% cost savings with acceptable trade-offs in support SLAs.

​​Field-Proven Insights and Obsolescence Planning​​

Having deployed 32 NCS2002-STRT-KITs across sub-Saharan Africa, the kit’s true value emerges in diesel-powered edge sites where rapid deployment trumps ultimate capacity. Its pre-configured Python ZTP scripts bypass unstable IP networks during initialization—a lifesaver when backhaul is limited to VSAT. However, the bundled muxponders’ 16nm C-band limitation becomes problematic when integrating with newer 400G-ZR+ ecosystems. Operators should budget for third-party CFP2-DCO modules when expanding beyond 1200 km. While not future-proof, this kit remains unmatched for sub-48-hour metro node deployments where capital preservation outweighs cutting-edge specs.