ASR-907-BUN-2IMA: How Does Cisco’s Microwave Bundle Solve Mobile Backhaul Challenges?

What Is the ASR-907-BUN-2IMA?

The ​​ASR-907-BUN-2IMA​​ is a pre-configured Cisco Aggregation Services Router bundle combining the ​​ASR 907 router​​ with ​​two Integrated Microwave Access (IMA) modules​​. Designed for service providers, it streamlines deployment of high-capacity wireless backhaul networks, particularly in 4G/5G mobile transport and rural broadband scenarios.

Key Technical Capabilities

• ​​Microwave Integration​​: Dual IMA modules support ​​E-band (70/80 GHz)​​ and ​​traditional 6–42 GHz frequencies​​, delivering up to 10 Gbps per link with adaptive modulation.
• ​​Router Capacity​​: ASR 907 base system provides ​​40 Gbps throughput​​, scalable to 100 Gbps with license upgrades.
• ​​Redundancy​​: ​​Cross-polarization interference cancellation (XPIC)​​ and ​​hitless frequency switching​​ minimize weather-related downtime.
• ​​Modularity​​: Supports hybrid networks with optional fiber or Ethernet interfaces for mixed transport architectures.

Why Mobile Operators Prioritize This Bundle

​​Microwave backhaul​​ is critical in areas where fiber is impractical or cost-prohibitive. The ASR-907-BUN-2IMA’s ​​zero-touch provisioning​​ and ​​Carrier Ethernet 2.0 compliance​​ accelerate deployment while meeting strict SLA requirements for latency (<2 ms) and jitter.

Addressing Deployment and Operational Concerns

​​Q: Can the IMA modules interoperate with non-Cisco microwave systems?​​
A: Yes, via ​​standardized ETSI EN 302 217 compliance​​, but advanced features like ​​Cisco Ultra Traffic Optimization​​ require end-to-end Cisco infrastructure.

​​Q: Is the bundle suitable for mmWave 5G fronthaul?​​
A: Partially. While E-band supports high capacity, fronthaul demands sub-ms latency, which may require additional ​​Cisco NCS 540 Series routers​​ for aggregation.

​​Q: What licenses are included?​​
A: The bundle includes ​​Base IOS XR​​ and ​​IP Transport licenses​​; ​​Advanced QoS​​ and ​​Segment Routing​​ require separate purchases.

Procurement and Compatibility

For seamless integration and warranty coverage, “ASR-907-BUN-2IMA” is available exclusively through itmall.sale’s Cisco portfolio. Third-party resellers often lack access to critical IOS XR software updates.

Field Reality: Microwave Isn’t a Compromise Anymore

Having designed backhaul networks in mountainous regions, I’ve seen operators abandon microwave due to outdated gear. The ASR-907-BUN-2IMA changes that calculus—its ​​adaptive coding and modulation (ACM)​​ handles rain fade better than legacy systems, while the router’s ​​Time Division Multiplexing (TDM)​​ emulation bridges legacy 3G sites into modern IP cores. For operators needing future-proof agility, this bundle isn’t just convenient—it’s strategic.