Cisco ASR 9912 Datasheet: Expert Technical Overview

1. Product Overview

The Cisco Aggregation Services Router (ASR) 9912 is a flagship high-performance edge router designed to meet the demanding requirements of service providers and large enterprises. As part of the Cisco ASR 9000 Series, the ASR 9912 delivers unparalleled scalability, resiliency, and flexibility for next-generation network architectures. Engineered to support multi-terabit throughput, the ASR 9912 is optimized for high-density 10G, 40G, and 100G interfaces, enabling service providers to efficiently aggregate and route massive volumes of data traffic with low latency and high reliability.

Built on Cisco’s advanced QuantumFlow Processor (QFP) technology and powered by the IOS XR operating system, the ASR 9912 offers carrier-grade features such as in-service software upgrades (ISSU), hardware redundancy, and comprehensive traffic engineering capabilities. This router is ideal for edge aggregation, peering, and data center interconnect applications, supporting a wide range of services including IP/MPLS, Ethernet VPN (EVPN), Segment Routing (SR), and advanced multicast.

The ASR 9912’s modular chassis architecture supports up to 12 line cards, providing a flexible platform that can scale from hundreds of gigabits to multiple terabits per second of throughput. This scalability ensures that network operators can future-proof their infrastructure while maintaining operational efficiency and service agility.

2. Product Specifications

2.1 Chassis and Physical Dimensions

The ASR 9912 chassis is a 12-slot modular platform designed for high-density aggregation and edge routing. It supports up to 12 line cards, with each slot capable of hosting a variety of interface modules. The chassis dimensions are approximately 17.5 inches (445 mm) in height, 17.5 inches (445 mm) in width, and 29 inches (737 mm) in depth, optimized for standard 19-inch rack mounting.

The system supports redundant power supplies and fans, ensuring high availability and fault tolerance. Power options include AC and DC configurations, with power supplies designed for hot-swappable replacement to minimize downtime.

2.2 Performance and Throughput

The ASR 9912 delivers up to 400 Gbps per slot throughput, aggregating to a system capacity of up to 4.8 Tbps full-duplex switching capacity. This performance is enabled by the Cisco QuantumFlow Processor (QFP), which integrates multiple packet processing engines to perform deep packet inspection, classification, and forwarding at line rate.

The router supports wire-speed forwarding across all interfaces, with advanced QoS mechanisms to prioritize latency-sensitive traffic such as voice and video. The system’s architecture supports multi-chassis link aggregation (MC-LAG) and redundant fabric modules to ensure seamless failover and load balancing.

2.3 Interface Modules and Port Density

The ASR 9912 supports a broad portfolio of line cards, including:

• 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10G) ports: SFP+ and XFP interfaces
• 40 Gigabit Ethernet (40G) ports: QSFP+ interfaces
• 100 Gigabit Ethernet (100G) ports: CFP and QSFP28 interfaces
• OC-192/STM-64 POS and SONET/SDH interfaces for legacy support

Each line card slot can accommodate high-density modules, enabling up to 120 x 10G ports or 48 x 100G ports per chassis, depending on the module mix. This flexibility allows operators to tailor the platform to specific network requirements and traffic profiles.

2.4 Software and Protocol Support

The ASR 9912 runs Cisco IOS XR, a carrier-grade, modular, and distributed operating system designed for high availability and scalability. IOS XR supports a comprehensive suite of routing protocols including:

• BGP (including BGP-LS and BGP EVPN)
• OSPFv2 and OSPFv3
• IS-IS
• MPLS and MPLS-TE
• Segment Routing (SR) with SR-TE
• Multicast protocols: PIM-SM, PIM-SSM, MSDP, and Source-Specific Multicast (SSM)

Additionally, the platform supports advanced features such as:

• In-Service Software Upgrade (ISSU) for zero-downtime maintenance
• Flexible NetFlow for traffic analytics
• Advanced QoS and traffic shaping
• Comprehensive security features including control plane policing and MACsec encryption on supported interfaces

2.5 Reliability and Redundancy

The ASR 9912 is engineered for 99.999% availability with multiple layers of redundancy:

• Dual route processors with stateful switchover (SSO)
• Redundant fabric cards for high-speed interconnect
• Redundant power supplies and cooling fans
• Support for Nonstop Forwarding (NSF) and Graceful Restart (GR) protocols

These features ensure minimal service disruption during hardware failures or software upgrades, critical for carrier-grade deployments.

3. Features and Benefits

3.1 High Scalability and Performance

The ASR 9912’s modular design and high-density line cards enable service providers to scale their networks seamlessly as demand grows. With up to 4.8 Tbps switching capacity, the platform supports the