Cisco ASR 1006 Router Datasheet: An Expert-Level Technical Overview

Product Overview

The Cisco Aggregation Services Router (ASR) 1006 is a high-performance, modular router designed to meet the demanding requirements of service providers and large enterprises. As part of the Cisco ASR 1000 Series, the ASR 1006 delivers exceptional scalability, reliability, and advanced services integration, making it an ideal platform for edge routing, aggregation, and service provider WAN applications.

Built on Cisco’s proven QuantumFlow Processor (QFP) architecture, the ASR 1006 supports a wide range of services including advanced IP routing, MPLS, VPNs, and deep packet inspection. Its modular chassis design allows for flexible configuration and expansion, supporting up to six line cards and multiple route processors, enabling service providers to scale bandwidth and services as network demands grow.

With a focus on high availability and operational efficiency, the ASR 1006 incorporates redundant power supplies, route processors, and fans, ensuring continuous operation in mission-critical environments. The router also supports Cisco IOS XE software, providing a rich feature set and programmability options through APIs and automation tools.

Product Specifications

Chassis and Physical Dimensions

• Chassis: 6-slot modular chassis
• Dimensions (H x W x D): 8.75 x 17.5 x 23.5 inches (222 x 445 x 597 mm)
• Weight: Approximately 45 lbs (20.4 kg) fully loaded
• Slots: 6 line card slots, 2 route processor slots, 2 power supply slots, 2 fan trays

Performance and Scalability

• Forwarding capacity: Up to 120 Gbps (full-duplex)
• Packet forwarding rate: Up to 90 Mpps (million packets per second)
• Maximum number of routes: Over 1 million IPv4 and IPv6 routes
• Maximum number of VPNs: Supports thousands of VRFs
• Line card support: Variety of Ethernet, POS, and T1/E1 interfaces

Processor and Memory

• Route Processor: Dual redundant Cisco ASR 1000 Series RP with multi-core CPUs
• Memory: Up to 16 GB DRAM per route processor
• Storage: Compact Flash and USB flash support for IOS XE images and configurations

Power and Cooling

• Power supplies: Redundant AC or DC power supply options
• Power consumption: Approximately 600W typical, depending on configuration
• Cooling: Front-to-back airflow with redundant fan trays

Interfaces and Connectivity

• Line cards support interfaces including 10/100/1000 Ethernet, 10 Gigabit Ethernet, POS, and T1/E1
• Management interfaces: Console, AUX, Ethernet management port
• High availability: Support for Stateful Switchover (SSO) and Non-Stop Forwarding (NSF)

Features and Benefits

Advanced Routing and Services Integration

The ASR 1006 supports a comprehensive suite of routing protocols including OSPF, BGP, IS-IS, and MPLS, enabling seamless integration into complex service provider and enterprise networks. Its support for MPLS VPNs, Segment Routing, and EVPN allows for flexible and scalable network architectures.

Integrated services such as firewall, deep packet inspection, and Quality of Service (QoS) enable service providers to deliver differentiated services with granular traffic management and security.

QuantumFlow Processor Architecture

At the heart of the ASR 1006 is Cisco’s QuantumFlow Processor (QFP), a highly parallelized packet processing engine that delivers wire-speed forwarding and advanced services. The QFP architecture enables the router to perform complex packet manipulations, classification, and policy enforcement without compromising throughput.

High Availability and Resiliency

The ASR 1006 is engineered for continuous operation with features such as:

• Redundant route processors with Stateful Switchover (SSO) for seamless failover
• Non-Stop Forwarding (NSF) to maintain data plane forwarding during control plane switchover
• Redundant power supplies and fan trays to eliminate single points of failure
• In-service software upgrades (ISSU) to minimize downtime during maintenance

Modular and Flexible Design

The 6-slot chassis supports a wide range of line cards, allowing network operators to tailor the router to specific interface and bandwidth requirements. This modularity facilitates incremental upgrades and protects investment by enabling the addition of new technologies as they become available.

Programmability and Automation

Running Cisco IOS XE, the ASR 1006 supports modern programmability frameworks including NETCONF, RESTCONF, and YANG models. This enables integration with network automation tools such as Cisco DNA Center and third-party orchestration platforms, reducing operational complexity and accelerating service deployment.

Security Features

The router incorporates robust security mechanisms including control plane policing, secure boot, hardware-based cryptographic acceleration, and support for IPsec VPNs. These features ensure the integrity and confidentiality of data traversing the network.

Product Portfolio

The ASR 1000 Series portfolio includes multiple chassis and models designed to address different network scales and requirements:

• ASR 1001-X: Compact, fixed-configuration router ideal for small to medium branch offices.
• ASR 1002-X: Mid-range router with enhanced performance and modularity.
• ASR 1004: Four-slot modular chassis for medium-scale aggregation and edge routing.
• ASR 1006: Six-slot modular chassis offering high scalability and performance for large enterprise and service provider edge applications.
• ASR 1013: High-density chassis with 13 slots for large-scale aggregation and core routing.

Each model supports a common set of line cards and route processors, enabling consistent feature sets and simplified network design across the portfolio.

Ordering Information

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