Cisco ASR 9910 Datasheet: Expert Technical Overview

1. Product Overview

The Cisco Aggregation Services Router (ASR) 9910 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 9910 delivers carrier-grade reliability, scalability, and flexibility for aggregation and edge routing applications. It is engineered to support multi-service edge deployments, including mobile backhaul, broadband aggregation, and data center interconnect, while providing advanced features such as segment routing, MPLS, and comprehensive Quality of Service (QoS).

Architected with a focus on high-density 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GE) and 100 Gigabit Ethernet (100GE) interfaces, the ASR 9910 is optimized for environments requiring high throughput and low latency. Its modular chassis design supports a variety of line cards and interface modules, enabling operators to tailor the platform to specific network demands. The router’s hardware and software architecture is built to deliver deterministic performance with high availability, leveraging Cisco IOS XR software for robust control plane and data plane operations.

The ASR 9910 is particularly suited for edge aggregation in metro networks, where it aggregates traffic from multiple access nodes and forwards it to core networks. Its support for advanced traffic engineering and network programmability makes it a future-proof solution for evolving network architectures, including 5G and cloud-centric infrastructures.

2. Product Specifications

2.1 Hardware Architecture

The ASR 9910 chassis is a 6-slot modular platform with a compact 6 RU form factor, designed for space-constrained environments without compromising on performance or scalability. The chassis supports redundant power supplies and fans to ensure continuous operation in carrier-grade environments.

Key hardware components include:

• Route Processor (RP): The ASR 9910 supports dual redundant RPs running Cisco IOS XR, providing control plane resiliency and fast failover capabilities.
• Fabric Cards: The router employs a high-speed backplane fabric card architecture that supports up to 1.6 Tbps switching capacity, enabling line-rate forwarding across all ports.
• Line Cards: The platform supports a variety of line cards, including 10GE, 40GE, and 100GE interfaces, with options for both fiber and copper connectivity.
• Power Supplies: Redundant, hot-swappable power supplies with AC and DC options ensure uninterrupted power delivery.

2.2 Performance and Capacity

The ASR 9910 delivers up to 1.6 Tbps of switching capacity with a forwarding rate of up to 1.2 billion packets per second (bpps), making it suitable for high-throughput aggregation scenarios. The platform supports up to 240 10GE ports or a combination of 100GE and 10GE ports, depending on the installed line cards.

Memory and storage specifications include:

• Up to 64 GB of DRAM per route processor for large-scale routing tables and advanced features.
• Flash storage for IOS XR software images and configuration files.

2.3 Interface and Connectivity Options

The ASR 9910 supports a broad range of interface modules, including:

• 10 Gigabit Ethernet (SFP+ and XFP)
• 40 Gigabit Ethernet (QSFP+)
• 100 Gigabit Ethernet (QSFP28)
• SONET/SDH interfaces for legacy network integration
• Physical interface options supporting both single-mode and multimode fiber

Additionally, the platform supports advanced timing and synchronization features such as IEEE 1588v2 Precision Time Protocol (PTP) and SyncE, critical for mobile backhaul and time-sensitive networking applications.

2.4 Software and Protocol Support

Running Cisco IOS XR, the ASR 9910 supports a comprehensive suite of routing protocols and technologies:

• IPv4 and IPv6 unicast and multicast routing
• MPLS Layer 2 and Layer 3 VPNs
• Segment Routing (SR) and Traffic Engineering (TE)
• Advanced QoS with hierarchical classification and shaping
• Network programmability via NETCONF, RESTCONF, and model-driven telemetry
• High availability features including Graceful Restart, Non-Stop Forwarding (NSF), and In-Service Software Upgrade (ISSU)

3. Features and Benefits

3.1 Carrier-Grade Reliability and High Availability

The ASR 9910 is engineered for 99.999% availability, incorporating redundant route processors, power supplies, and fans. Its IOS XR software supports ISSU, enabling software upgrades without traffic disruption. Non-Stop Forwarding (NSF) and Graceful Restart mechanisms ensure minimal packet loss during control plane failovers.

3.2 Scalability and Flexibility

The modular chassis design allows operators to scale port density and interface types as network demands evolve. The platform’s support for a wide range of line cards and interface modules enables seamless migration from 10GE to 100GE environments. This flexibility reduces total cost of ownership by protecting existing investments while enabling future growth.

3.3 Advanced Traffic Engineering and Network Programmability

With native support for MPLS Traffic Engineering and Segment Routing, the ASR 9910 enables efficient utilization of network resources and fast reroute capabilities. Network programmability features such as model-driven