Cisco ASR 9006 Datasheet: Expert Technical Overview

1. Product Overview

The Cisco Aggregation Services Router (ASR) 9006 is a high-performance, modular edge router designed to meet the demanding requirements of service providers and large enterprises. As part of the Cisco ASR 9000 Series, the ASR 9006 delivers carrier-grade reliability, scalability, and advanced service capabilities optimized for next-generation network architectures. It is engineered to support high-density 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GE), 40GE, and 100GE interfaces, enabling seamless aggregation and transport of massive data volumes across metro and core networks.

Architected with a distributed forwarding plane and a centralized control plane, the ASR 9006 leverages Cisco’s IOS XR operating system, which provides modularity, high availability, and advanced programmability. This router is ideal for service providers deploying IP/MPLS, Carrier Ethernet, and mobile backhaul services, as well as enterprises requiring robust WAN aggregation and data center interconnect solutions.

The ASR 9006 chassis supports up to six line card slots, offering flexible interface configurations and high throughput capacity. Its compact 6-slot design balances port density and space efficiency, making it suitable for both central office and data center environments. The platform’s hardware and software architecture are optimized for high availability with redundant power supplies, route processors, and fabric modules, ensuring uninterrupted service delivery.

2. Product Specifications

2.1 Chassis and Physical Dimensions

The ASR 9006 chassis is a 6-slot modular platform with the following physical characteristics:

• Height: 8.75 RU (rack units)
• Width: 17.5 inches (44.45 cm)
• Depth: 24 inches (60.96 cm)
• Weight: Approximately 60 lbs (27.2 kg) fully loaded
• Front-to-back airflow for efficient cooling

2.2 Slot Architecture and Backplane

The chassis supports six line card slots, two route processor (RP) slots, and two fabric card slots. The backplane provides a non-blocking switching fabric with a total switching capacity of up to 720 Gbps, enabling simultaneous full-duplex forwarding across all line cards.

The modular design allows for flexible deployment of various line cards supporting different interface types and speeds, including:

• 10 Gigabit Ethernet (SFP+ and XFP)
• 40 Gigabit Ethernet (QSFP+)
• 100 Gigabit Ethernet (QSFP28)
• SONET/SDH and OTN interfaces for legacy and transport networks

2.3 Route Processors and Control Plane

The ASR 9006 supports dual redundant route processors running Cisco IOS XR software. Each RP features multi-core CPUs with hardware acceleration for control plane functions, enabling:

• High availability with hitless switchover
• Advanced routing protocols including BGP, OSPF, IS-IS, MPLS, and Segment Routing
• Comprehensive MPLS VPN support (L3VPN, L2VPN)
• Integrated control plane security and policy enforcement

2.4 Line Cards and Interface Modules

The ASR 9006 supports a broad portfolio of line cards, each optimized for specific interface types and densities. Key line cards include:

• SPA Interface Processor (SIP) cards: Support for 10GE, 40GE, and 100GE interfaces with flexible port configurations.
• Multi-Service Interface Processors (MSIPs): Provide legacy TDM, SONET/SDH, and OTN interfaces for transport integration.
• Enhanced SPA Interface Processors (ESP): High-density 10GE and 40GE ports with advanced QoS and traffic management.

2.5 Power and Cooling

The ASR 9006 chassis supports redundant, hot-swappable power supplies with options for AC and DC input voltages, ensuring continuous operation in diverse deployment environments. The cooling system employs front-to-back airflow with redundant fans, designed to maintain optimal operating temperatures under full load.

2.6 Performance Metrics

The ASR 9006 delivers:

• Up to 720 Gbps switching capacity
• Forwarding rates exceeding 1 billion packets per second (bpps) depending on line card configuration
• Support for up to 256,000 routes in the forwarding information base (FIB)
• Advanced traffic engineering capabilities with MPLS TE and Segment Routing

3. Features and Benefits

3.1 Carrier-Grade Reliability and High Availability

The ASR 9006 is engineered for 99.999% availability with hardware redundancy across critical components including route processors, fabric cards, power supplies, and fans. The IOS XR software supports stateful process restart and in-service software upgrades (ISSU), minimizing downtime during maintenance and upgrades.

3.2 Scalability and Flexibility

The modular chassis and diverse line card portfolio enable operators to scale port density and interface types as network demands evolve. The platform supports seamless capacity expansion from 10GE to 100GE interfaces without forklift upgrades, protecting investment and enabling smooth migration to higher bandwidth services.

3.3 Advanced Routing and MPLS Capabilities