Cisco ASR 9010 Datasheet: Expert Technical Overview

1. Product Overview

The Cisco Aggregation Services Router (ASR) 9010 is a high-performance, carrier-grade edge router designed to meet the demanding requirements of service providers and large enterprises. As part of the Cisco ASR 9000 Series, the ASR 9010 delivers exceptional scalability, reliability, and flexibility for aggregation and edge routing applications. It is engineered to support multi-service edge deployments, including broadband aggregation, mobile backhaul, and data center interconnect, while providing advanced features such as MPLS, Segment Routing, and comprehensive Quality of Service (QoS).

Architected with a modular chassis design, the ASR 9010 supports up to 10 line-card slots, enabling service providers to scale bandwidth and services as network demands evolve. The platform leverages Cisco’s QuantumFlow Processor (QFP) technology, which provides high-density packet processing capabilities with deep programmability, enabling complex traffic management and service chaining at line rate.

The ASR 9010 is optimized for high availability and operational simplicity, featuring redundant power supplies, fans, and route processors. It supports Cisco IOS XR, a carrier-grade operating system designed for continuous operation, in-service software upgrades (ISSU), and advanced network programmability through model-driven telemetry and NETCONF/YANG interfaces.

2. Product Specifications

2.1 Chassis and Physical Dimensions

The ASR 9010 chassis is a 10-slot modular platform with the following physical characteristics:

• Form Factor: 10-slot chassis, 6 RU height
• Dimensions (H x W x D): 10.5 in x 17.5 in x 24 in (267 mm x 445 mm x 610 mm)
• Weight: Approximately 45 kg (fully loaded)
• Power: Supports dual redundant AC or DC power supplies with N+1 redundancy
• Cooling: Front-to-back airflow with redundant fan trays

2.2 Performance and Scalability

The ASR 9010 is designed to deliver high throughput and scale to meet the needs of modern networks:

• Maximum system throughput: Up to 240 Gbps (full-duplex)
• Line-card slots: 10 slots supporting a mix of interface types
• Packet forwarding rate: Up to 720 million packets per second (Mpps)
• Maximum number of routes: Supports up to 1 million IPv4 and IPv6 routes
• Maximum number of MPLS labels: Up to 1 million labels

2.3 Interface Modules and Line Cards

The ASR 9010 supports a broad portfolio of line cards to accommodate various interface types and speeds:

• 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GE) line cards supporting SFP+ and XFP optics
• 40 Gigabit Ethernet (40GE) line cards supporting QSFP+ optics
• 100 Gigabit Ethernet (100GE) line cards supporting CFP optics
• SONET/SDH and OTN interface cards for legacy and transport networks
• Multiservice interface cards supporting TDM, ATM, and POS interfaces

2.4 Route Processors and Control Plane

The ASR 9010 employs redundant route processors (RPs) to ensure high availability and control plane resiliency:

• Dual route processors with active/standby failover
• Intel multi-core CPUs optimized for IOS XR operations
• Supports in-service software upgrades (ISSU) for zero downtime maintenance
• Advanced control plane security and route filtering capabilities

2.5 Software and Protocol Support

Running Cisco IOS XR, the ASR 9010 supports a comprehensive suite of protocols and features:

• IPv4 and IPv6 routing protocols: OSPF, IS-IS, BGP, RIP, and multicast protocols
• MPLS Layer 2 and Layer 3 VPNs, MPLS Traffic Engineering, and Segment Routing
• Advanced QoS with hierarchical classification, shaping, and policing
• Network virtualization with VRFs and EVPN support
• Comprehensive security features including control plane policing and MACsec support

3. Features and Benefits

3.1 High Performance and Scalability

The ASR 9010’s modular architecture and QuantumFlow Processor technology enable it to deliver line-rate forwarding across multiple interface types and speeds. This ensures that service providers can scale their networks without compromising performance or service quality. The ability to mix and match line cards allows for flexible deployment scenarios tailored to specific network requirements.

3.2 Carrier-Grade Reliability and Availability

Designed for 99.999% availability, the ASR 9010 incorporates redundant hardware components such as power supplies, fans, and route processors. The IOS XR operating system supports in-service software upgrades (ISSU), allowing software patches and feature upgrades without network downtime. This combination of hardware and software resiliency minimizes service disruptions and operational costs.

3.3 Advanced Network Services

The ASR 9010 supports a rich set of network services essential for modern service provider networks. MPLS VPNs enable secure multi-tenant environments, while Segment Routing simplifies traffic engineering and reduces protocol overhead. The platform’s deep programmability allows operators to implement custom forwarding behaviors and telemetry, facilitating network