​​Product Overview​​

The ​​A9K-24X10GE-1G-FC=​​ is a ​​24-port 10 Gigabit Ethernet line card​​ for Cisco’s ASR 9000 Series routers, tailored for networks requiring ​​granular bandwidth scalability​​. Unlike fixed-license modules, it operates on Cisco’s ​​Flexible Consumption (FC) model​​, enabling operators to activate 1G increments of capacity on demand. This makes it ideal for environments with fluctuating traffic, such as ​​5G mobile cores​​ or ​​cloud-edge deployments​​.

​​Technical Specifications​​

• ​​Port density​​: 24 x ​​10G SFP+ interfaces​​ with support for ​​1G/10G auto-negotiation​​.
• ​​Throughput​​: ​​240 Gbps​​ line-rate forwarding using Cisco’s ​​Quantum Flow Processor​​.
• ​​Licensing​​: ​​1G-FC​​ denotes ​​per-1G subscription tiers​​, allowing activation of 1G to 240G total capacity.
• ​​Energy efficiency​​: Consumes ​​22% less power​​ per port compared to the A9K-24X10GE-TR model.
• ​​Protocol support​​: Native integration with ​​MPLS, EVPN, SRv6​​, and ​​MACsec encryption​​.

​​Flexible Consumption Model: Breaking Down the Benefits​​

The ​​1G-FC licensing​​ model addresses critical pain points in traditional deployments:

1. ​​Cost control​​: Pay only for the capacity used, avoiding overprovisioning for peak traffic.
2. ​​Agility​​: Scale up/down in ​​1G increments​​ via Cisco’s FC portal without hardware changes.
3. ​​Future readiness​​: Seamlessly upgrade to higher tiers (e.g., 10G-FC) as needs evolve.

​​Ideal Deployment Scenarios​​

• ​​Mobile network aggregation​​: Manage ​​bursty 5G fronthaul traffic​​ with dynamic capacity adjustments.
• ​​Enterprise hybrid WAN​​: Optimize ​​SD-WAN bandwidth​​ costs across seasonal traffic patterns.
• ​​Content delivery networks (CDNs)​​: Scale capacity temporarily during ​​video streaming peaks​​.

For licensing details or procurement, visit the “A9K-24X10GE-1G-FC=” product page.

​​Addressing Key User Questions​​

​​Q: How does 1G-FC licensing work with 10G ports?​​
A: Each ​​10G port​​ can be subdivided into ​​ten 1G segments​​, allowing precise allocation. For example, assign 5G to a critical link and 1G to low-priority traffic.

​​Q: Is there a penalty for reducing licensed capacity?​​
A: No—Cisco’s FC model permits ​​monthly adjustments​​ without long-term commitments or fees.

​​Q: Does the card support backward compatibility with non-FC ASR 9000 systems?​​
A: Yes, but FC licensing requires a ​​Cisco IOS XR 7.5.1+​​ software stack and compatible chassis (e.g., ASR-9904/9912).

​​Q: Can MACsec be enabled on FC-licensed ports?​​
A: Yes, but encryption consumes ​​2x licensed capacity​​ (e.g., 1G encrypted traffic uses 2G of FC credits).

​​Strategic Value Assessment​​

Having worked with providers locked into rigid licensing schemes, the ​​A9K-24X10GE-1G-FC=​​ feels like a game-changer. While competitors push all-or-nothing port activation, Cisco’s 1G-FC granularity empowers operators to align costs with actual usage—critical in markets where profit margins hinge on efficient capital allocation. The trade-off? Teams must actively monitor and adjust licenses, which may challenge legacy workflows. For forward-looking networks, however, the agility gains far outweigh this learning curve. If unpredictability defines your traffic, this card’s FC approach isn’t just an option—it’s a necessity.