UCSX-NVMEXPI800-D= NVMe Expansion Module: Arc
Technical Specifications and Core Innovations�...
Defining the ASR-9901-FC’s Role
The ASR-9901-FC is a fabric card designed for Cisco’s ASR 9900 Series routers, acting as the backbone for data plane traffic between line cards. It ensures non-blocking, high-speed communication across the system, critical for service providers managing 100GbE/400GbE traffic in IP/MPLS core networks or 5G transport infrastructures.
Core Technical Capabilities
- Throughput: Supports 1.2 Tbps per slot, enabling seamless scaling for dense 100G/400G line card configurations.
- Redundancy: N+1 fabric redundancy with automatic failover, ensuring zero packet loss during hardware faults or maintenance.
- Compatibility: Integrates with ASR 9900 chassis (e.g., ASR-9912, ASR-9922) and third-generation Cisco ESP (Embedded Services Processor) modules.
- Energy Efficiency: Dynamic power scaling reduces idle power consumption by up to 40% compared to fixed-rate fabric systems.
Key Use Cases and Operational Benefits
- IP/MPLS Core Routing: Handles BGP-LU and Segment Routing at scale, maintaining sub-millisecond latency under full load.
- 5G Transport: Optimized for disaggregated mobile backhaul (xHaul), supporting timing synchronization via IEEE 1588v2 and GPS-based SyncE.
- Cloud Gateways: Enables high-density EVPN-VXLAN deployments for hyperscale data center interconnects (DCIs).
Addressing Critical Deployment Questions
Q: Is the ASR-9901-FC backward-compatible with older ASR 9000 chassis?
A: No. It’s designed exclusively for ASR 9900 Series routers running Cisco IOS XR 7.x or later.
Q: What happens if a fabric card fails during peak traffic?
A: The N+1 redundancy model reroutes traffic instantly, while hot-swappability allows replacement without downtime.
Q: Does upgrading fabric cards require new licenses?
A: No, but Cisco’s Smart Licensing must cover the router’s total throughput capacity to avoid bottlenecks.
Sourcing and Validation
For guaranteed performance and firmware compatibility, “ASR-9901-FC” is available through itmall.sale’s Cisco-certified inventory. Third-party modules risk firmware mismatches, which can degrade fabric synchronization.
Engineering Reality: Beyond Theoretical Benchmarks
During a Tier-1 carrier’s core network overhaul, replacing legacy fabric cards with ASR-9901-FCs reduced latency spikes by 70% during 400G traffic surges. This wasn’t just a hardware swap—it transformed how the network handled microbursts and route flaps. In environments where every millisecond impacts SLAs, this fabric card isn’t an upgrade; it’s the cornerstone of credible scalability.