​Overview of the A9K-48X10GE-1G-TR=​

The ​​Cisco A9K-48X10GE-1G-TR=​​ is a high-density 10 Gigabit Ethernet line card designed for the Cisco ASR 9000 Series Aggregation Services Routers. It provides ​​48 ports of 10GE connectivity​​, supporting both short- and long-reach transceivers (1G/10G-capable SFP+ modules). This card is engineered for service providers and large enterprises requiring scalable, high-performance routing in data center or network core/edge deployments.


​Key Technical Specifications​

  • ​Port Density​​: 48x10GE ports with backward compatibility for 1G SFPs.
  • ​Throughput​​: Supports up to ​​480 Gbps​​ aggregate capacity.
  • ​Compatibility​​: Works with Cisco ASR 9000 chassis (ASR-9904/9912/9922).
  • ​Forwarding Architecture​​: Leverages Cisco’s QuantumFlow Processor for advanced QoS and deep buffer capabilities.
  • ​Redundancy​​: Hot-swappable design with redundant power and cooling.

​Core Use Cases and Deployment Scenarios​

  • ​Service Provider Edge​​: Ideal for ​​high-density peering​​ or broadband aggregation.
  • ​Data Center Interconnect (DCI)​​: Enables low-latency, high-throughput connections between distributed data centers.
  • ​Enterprise Backbone​​: Simplifies traffic management for large-scale campus networks.

​Addressing Common User Concerns​

​Q: Can this line card handle mixed 1G and 10G traffic?​

Yes. The ​​A9K-48X10GE-1G-TR=​​ supports ​​auto-negotiation​​ between 1G and 10G speeds per port, allowing flexible migration from legacy infrastructure.


​Q: What licenses or software are required?​

Cisco IOS XR Software is mandatory. Licensing depends on features like advanced MPLS or multicast. Verify compatibility with your ASR 9000 system version.


​Q: How does it compare to similar cards like the A9K-40GE-TR?​

Unlike the 40GE-TR (which offers fewer 40G ports), the ​​A9K-48X10GE-1G-TR=​​ prioritizes ​​port density over raw per-port speed​​, making it better suited for environments requiring numerous 10G connections.


​Procurement and Support Considerations​

For organizations sourcing this hardware, ​“A9K-48X10GE-1G-TR=” is available here​. Ensure firmware updates and compatibility checks are performed before deployment.


​Final Insight​

The A9K-48X10GE-1G-TR= strikes a balance between scalability and flexibility, particularly for service providers managing exponential traffic growth. While its 10G focus may not suit all scenarios, its ability to consolidate hundreds of connections into a single chassis makes it a strategic investment for future-proof networks. Always validate power and cooling requirements in existing infrastructure to avoid bottlenecks.

Related Post

NCS2K-9-SMR24FS-L=: Technical Architecture, D

​​Functional Role of the NCS2K-9-SMR24FS-L= in Cisc...

HCI-RIS1B-22XM7=: Technical Specifications, H

​​Core Architecture & Functional Design​​ T...

Cisco NCS4009-INST-KIT= Chassis Installation

Hardware Components and Technical Specifications The �...