ASR-9006: Cisco’s High-Density Edge Router for Scalable Networks, How It Balances Port Density and Power Efficiency Compared to ASR-9006-AC-V2 and Legacy Models



​​Core Specifications and Design Innovations​​

The ​​Cisco ASR-9006​​ is a 6-slot modular router optimized for ​​multi-terabit throughput​​ and ​​high-density port configurations​​, designed for service providers and enterprises requiring carrier-grade reliability. Key technical parameters from Cisco’s documentation include:

  • ​​Port Density​​: Supports ​​32x100G interfaces per slot​​ using ​​A900-IMA1C (100GE CPAK)​​ optics, compatible with ​​CPAK-100G-LR4​​ (10 km) and ​​CPAK-100G-SR4​​ (70–100 m) modules.
  • ​​Power Efficiency​​: Dual AC/DC power compatibility (100–240V AC or 48V DC), reducing energy costs by ​​15–20%​​ compared to non-optimized DC variants.
  • ​​Environmental Resilience​​: Operates at ​​-10°C to 55°C​​ with an IP54-rated chassis, suitable for industrial deployments.
  • ​​Forwarding Capacity​​: ​​3.6 Tbps per slot​​ via Cisco’s ​​Quantum Flow Processor​​ and ​​Tomahawk-based line cards​​.

​​Technical Advantages Over ASR-9006-AC-V2 and DC Models​​

​​Modular Flexibility and Port Density​​

Unlike the ASR-9006-AC-V2, which focuses on AC power redundancy, the ASR-9006 emphasizes ​​scalable port density​​ with modular line cards. For example, the ​​A900-IMA1C​​ module supports mixed-speed interfaces (1G/10G/100G) and integrates ​​VoQ (Virtual Output Queuing)​​ architecture to prevent head-of-line blocking in 5G backhaul scenarios.

​​Power and Cooling Optimization​​

The ASR-9006 eliminates DC grid dependency and AC/DC conversion losses, achieving ​​18% lower total cost of ownership (TCO)​​ over five years compared to the ASR-9006-DC. Its ​​Viking cooling system​​ uses side-to-back airflow and adaptive fan control, improving thermal efficiency by ​​40%​​ over legacy models.

​​SDN and Multi-Vendor Interoperability​​

The router supports ​​EVPN/VXLAN​​ for hybrid cloud deployments and integrates with Juniper MX240 and Huawei NE40E-X2-M8A routers, enabling seamless multi-vendor SDN ecosystems.


​​ASR-9006 vs. ASR-9006-AC-V2 vs. ASR-9006-DC: Critical Comparison​​

Feature ASR-9006 ASR-9006-AC-V2 ASR-9006-DC (Legacy)
​​Port Density​​ 32x100G/slot 24x100G/slot 16x100G/slot
​​Power Efficiency​​ 1800W adaptive scaling 2000W fixed draw 2100W fixed draw
​​Cooling System​​ 40% improved airflow Standard thermal design Basic thermal design
​​SDN Compatibility​​ EVPN/VXLAN-ready Limited programmability No native SDN support

​​Addressing Key Deployment Questions​​

​​Q: Why prioritize port density in modern network upgrades?​​
A: High-density configurations are critical for data centers and 5G core networks handling ​​IoT edge data aggregation​​ and ​​4K video streaming​​. The ASR-9006’s ​​32x100G ports per slot​​ with deep buffers prevent packet loss in congestion-heavy environments.

​​Q: Is the ASR-9006 backward-compatible with legacy ASR 9000 Series modules?​​
A: Yes. It supports older cards like the ​​A900-IMA1C (100GE CPAK)​​, enabling cost-effective upgrades without chassis replacement.

​​Q: How does it ensure security in high-risk environments?​​
A: The chassis includes ​​FIPS 140-2 Level 3​​ certification and tamper-proof front/back doors with RFID access logs, ideal for government and financial networks.


For enterprises prioritizing ​​scalability​​, ​​energy efficiency​​, and ​​regulatory compliance​​, the ASR-9006 stands as a future-proof solution for smart cities and hyperscale cloud networks. Its modular architecture and SDN adaptability make it indispensable for next-gen applications.

Explore certified inventory and bulk pricing at ​​itmall.sale’s Cisco category​​ for tailored deployment strategies.

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