Cisco ASR 9903 Datasheet: Expert Technical Overview

1. Product Overview

The Cisco Aggregation Services Router (ASR) 9903 is a high-performance, modular edge router designed to meet the demanding requirements of service providers and large enterprises. As part of the Cisco ASR 9000 Series, the ASR 9903 delivers exceptional scalability, carrier-grade reliability, and advanced service capabilities optimized for next-generation network architectures.

Engineered to support high-density 100 Gigabit Ethernet (100GE) and 400 Gigabit Ethernet (400GE) interfaces, the ASR 9903 is ideal for aggregation and edge routing in metro and core networks. It is purpose-built to handle massive traffic volumes, complex service chaining, and multi-service convergence, enabling service providers to deploy advanced IP/MPLS, Segment Routing, and Network Function Virtualization (NFV) services with ease.

The ASR 9903’s compact 3-slot chassis design balances space efficiency with high throughput, making it suitable for data centers, central offices, and service aggregation points. It supports Cisco’s IOS XR operating system, which provides a modular, distributed software architecture for high availability and operational simplicity.

2. Product Specifications

2.1 Chassis and Physical Dimensions

The ASR 9903 chassis is a 3-slot modular platform with the following physical characteristics:

• Height: 7 RU (Rack Units)
• Width: 17.5 inches (445 mm)
• Depth: 23 inches (584 mm)
• Weight: Approximately 45 kg (fully loaded)
• Front-to-back airflow for optimal cooling in standard data center environments

2.2 Performance and Throughput

The ASR 9903 is engineered to deliver up to 3.6 Tbps of total system throughput, leveraging Cisco’s proprietary QuantumFlow Processor (QFP) technology embedded in its line cards. This throughput supports dense 100GE and 400GE interfaces, enabling massive bandwidth aggregation.

Key performance metrics include:

• System forwarding capacity: Up to 3.6 Tbps
• Packet forwarding rate: Up to 5.4 billion packets per second (Bpps)
• Support for up to 288 x 100GE ports or 72 x 400GE ports (depending on line card configuration)
• Low latency forwarding optimized for real-time applications

2.3 Modular Line Cards and Interface Options

The ASR 9903 supports a variety of modular line cards designed for flexibility and future-proofing:

• SPA Interface Processors (SIPs): Support 10GE, 25GE, 40GE, 100GE, and 400GE interfaces
• SPA Interface Processors with QSFP-DD: Enable 400GE high-density ports
• Flexible port configurations: Mix and match interface types within the chassis for tailored deployments

2.4 Power and Cooling

The ASR 9903 chassis supports redundant power supplies and fans to ensure continuous operation:

• Dual redundant AC or DC power supply options
• Hot-swappable power modules and fans for zero downtime maintenance
• Intelligent power management to optimize energy consumption

2.5 Software and Protocol Support

Running Cisco IOS XR, the ASR 9903 supports a comprehensive suite of protocols and features:

• Advanced MPLS capabilities including Segment Routing (SR-MPLS)
• IPv4 and IPv6 routing with extensive protocol support (OSPF, BGP, IS-IS)
• Carrier Ethernet services with MEF certification
• Network virtualization and slicing via VRFs and EVPN
• Comprehensive security features including MACsec, control plane policing, and encrypted tunnels
• Telemetry and analytics integration for real-time network monitoring

3. Features and Benefits

3.1 High-Density 100GE and 400GE Aggregation

The ASR 9903’s ability to support dense 100GE and 400GE interfaces enables service providers to aggregate massive traffic volumes efficiently. This capability is critical for scaling metro and edge networks to accommodate exponential growth in video streaming, cloud services, and IoT traffic.

3.2 Carrier-Grade Reliability and Availability

Designed for 99.999% availability, the ASR 9903 incorporates redundant hardware components, in-service software upgrades (ISSU), and stateful switchover (SSO) capabilities. These features minimize downtime and ensure uninterrupted service delivery in mission-critical environments.

3.3 Modular and Flexible Architecture

The modular chassis and line card design allow operators to tailor the platform to specific network requirements. This flexibility supports incremental capacity upgrades and technology refreshes without forklift replacements, protecting capital investments.

3.4 Advanced Software Ecosystem

Cisco IOS XR provides a distributed, microkernel-based operating system architecture that enhances system stability and security. Its programmability via NETCONF/YANG, RESTCONF, and streaming telemetry enables automation and integration with modern network management frameworks.

3.5 Comprehensive Security Features

Security is embedded at multiple layers, including hardware-based MAC