Cisco SFP-10G-LR10-I=: Industrial-Temperature
Product Overview and Core Functionality The Cisco...
Product Overview
The A9K-2T-L23P-800G= is a high-density, multi-rate line card for Cisco’s ASR 9000 Series routers, engineered to support terabit-scale traffic aggregation in 5G core networks, hyperscale data centers, and cloud exchange hubs. With 800G total throughput and 23 mixed-speed ports, it bridges the gap between legacy infrastructure and next-gen bandwidth requirements while maintaining backward compatibility with Cisco’s ecosystem.
Technical Specifications and Design
- Port configuration: 2x 400G QSFP-DD ports (breakout to 8x 50G) + 21x 10G/25G SFP28 ports.
- Throughput: 800G full-duplex capacity using Cisco’s Silicon One Q200 ASIC for programmable forwarding.
- Protocol support: SRv6, EVPN, MPLS-SR, and MACsec-GCM-256 encryption at line rate.
- Energy efficiency: 0.1W per gigabit throughput, a 40% improvement over the A9K-2T-L20G-400G model.
- Latency: Sub-5-microsecond forwarding for financial trading or real-time analytics workloads.
Key Innovations Over Previous-Gen Line Cards
The A9K-2T-L23P-800G= introduces three critical advancements:
- Flexible port slicing: Divide 400G ports into 50G/100G/200G segments without performance penalties.
- Deterministic QoS: Guarantee <1μs jitter for latency-sensitive traffic like industrial IoT control streams.
- AI-driven telemetry: Embedded sensors provide per-flow visibility via Cisco Crosswork Network Automation.
Primary Use Cases
- 5G core UPF aggregation: Handle 100M+ simultaneous connections in mobile packet cores.
- Hyperscale DCI (Data Center Interconnect): Establish 400G encrypted links between cloud regions.
- Content caching hubs: Optimize 4K/8K video delivery with per-title QoS policies and SRv6 traffic steering.
For deployment or procurement guidance, visit the “A9K-2T-L23P-800G=” product listing.
Addressing Critical User Concerns
Q: How does port slicing impact licensing costs?
A: Cisco’s Universal Licensing applies to the physical port, not sliced subports—activating a 400G port allows unlimited subdivisions without added fees.
Q: Is the card compatible with non-Cisco optics?
A: Yes, but Cisco Validated Design (CVD) performance SLAs only apply to Cisco-branded QSFP-DD modules.
Q: Can it replace multiple legacy cards in a chassis?
A: A single A9K-2T-L23P-800G= replaces 4x A9K-24X10GE cards while using 60% less power and slot space.
Q: Does the AI telemetry feature require additional subscriptions?
A: Basic telemetry is included, but Crosswork AIOps integration needs a separate license.
Operational Realities and Strategic Value
In an era where traffic patterns shift hourly, the A9K-2T-L23P-800G= redefines what’s possible in routing density and flexibility. Having witnessed operators juggle dozens of 10G cards to meet growing demands, this module’s ability to consolidate capacity while slashing power budgets feels revolutionary. Competitors tout raw throughput numbers, but Cisco’s focus on per-flow programmability and deterministic QoS positions this card as a linchpin for networks transitioning to intent-based architectures. For teams balancing scalability with sustainability goals, it’s not just an upgrade—it’s a long-term strategic play.