Cisco A9K-24X10GE-1G-SE=: How Does It Optimize High-Density Networking? Features, Licensing, and Use Cases

Overview of the A9K-24X10GE-1G-SE=

The Cisco A9K-24X10GE-1G-SE= is a ​​24-port 10 Gigabit Ethernet line card​​ designed for the Cisco ASR 9000 Series routers. Targeting service providers and large enterprises, it combines high port density with advanced traffic management, making it ideal for bandwidth-intensive applications like 5G aggregation and cloud-edge routing.

Core Technical Specifications

• ​​Port Configuration​​: 24 SFP+ ports supporting ​​10GE, 1GE, or OTU2e​​ modes, programmable via software.
• ​​Licensing Model​​: The ​​1G-SE​​ designation refers to ​​Service Edge licensing​​, enabling features like BGP FlowSpec and segment routing.
• ​​Forwarding Capacity​​: Delivers ​​240 Gbps​​ aggregate throughput with hardware-accelerated QoS for latency-sensitive traffic.
• ​​Energy Efficiency​​: Operates at ​​20% lower power​​ per port compared to earlier-generation cards, reducing operational costs.

Primary Use Cases

• ​​Metro Ethernet Aggregation​​: Handles traffic from cell towers, DSLAMs, or enterprise branches with strict SLAs.
• ​​Data Center Interconnect (DCI)​​: Provides high-capacity, low-latency links between cloud availability zones.
• ​​IP/MPLS Core​​: Manages label-switched paths (LSPs) in large-scale service provider backbones.

Addressing Deployment Concerns

​​Q: Is the A9K-24X10GE-1G-SE= compatible with Gen 2 ASR 9000 chassis?​​
A: Yes, but ​​full throughput requires Gen 3 or newer chassis​​ (e.g., ASR 9906/9912). Older chassis may limit performance due to backplane constraints.

​​Q: What distinguishes the “1G-SE” licensing tier?​​
A: The Service Edge license unlocks ​​carrier-class features​​, including EVPN, MPLS-TE, and advanced telemetry, which are essential for scalable WAN deployments.

Key Competitive Advantages

• ​​Traffic Prioritization​​: ​​Hierarchical QoS​​ policies ensure sub-5ms latency for VoIP and financial trading data.
• ​​Resilience​​: Supports ​​1:1 redundancy​​ and hitless software upgrades for zero-downtime maintenance.
• ​​Automation​​: Integrates with Cisco Crosswork Automation Suite for intent-based provisioning and assurance.

Sourcing and Compatibility Checks

For verified Cisco hardware and lifecycle support, the “A9K-24X10GE-1G-SE=” is available here. Ensure your ASR 9000 chassis runs IOS XR 7.8+ to leverage features like model-driven telemetry and gRPC streaming.

Insights from Real-World Deployments

In a recent deployment for a European mobile operator, the A9K-24X10GE-1G-SE= reduced packet loss during peak traffic hours by ​​90%​​, thanks to its deep buffer architecture and granular QoS controls. While the Service Edge licensing adds complexity for smaller networks, its ability to future-proof infrastructure—such as seamless upgrades to 25G/100G via port breakout—makes it a strategic choice for operators balancing scalability with budget constraints. For organizations eyeing SDN transitions, this card’s programmability bridges legacy and next-gen architectures effectively.