What Is the Cisco N540-CBL-BRKT-AC=? Cable Ma
Component Identification: Defining the N540-CBL-B...
Core Functionality: Design and Purpose
The Cisco FPR9K-NM-6X10LR-F= is a high-density 10G network module designed for the Cisco Firepower 9300 series chassis, tailored for enterprises requiring long-range fiber connectivity and scalable threat inspection. This module provides six 10G SFP+ ports optimized for LR (Long Reach) optics, supporting distances up to 10 km over single-mode fiber. It integrates with Cisco’s Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) software, enabling centralized policy enforcement for high-volume traffic in data centers, ISP backbones, or distributed campuses.
Technical Specifications: Performance and Compatibility
- Port Configuration: 6x10G SFP+ (supports 1G/10G dual-rate optics).
- Throughput: 30 Gbps with full threat prevention (IPS, AMP, URL filtering) enabled (Cisco Firepower 9300 datasheet, 2024).
- Latency: <45 µs for unencrypted traffic, <100 µs with IPsec AES-256.
- Optics Compatibility: Cisco SFP-10G-LR, third-party LR optics (with limitations).
- Power Draw: 95W max per module (Firepower 9300 supports up to 6 modules).
- Compatibility: Firepower 9300 chassis only (not compatible with 4100 series or ASA appliances).
Critical Note: This module does not support MACsec—for encrypted fiber links, use the FPR9K-NM-6X10SR-F= with MACsec-capable SR optics.
Key Use Cases and Deployment Scenarios
- Metro-Ethernet Aggregation: Secures traffic between geographically dispersed data centers over 10 km fiber links.
- ISP Edge Security: Inspects subscriber traffic at peering points without compromising latency SLAs.
- Campus Core Segmentation: Enforces policies between research labs, admin networks, and IoT zones in large universities.
- Disaster Recovery Pipelines: Protects replicated data flows between primary and backup sites.
Performance Comparison: FPR9K-NM-6X10LR-F= vs. Alternatives
| Feature | FPR9K-NM-6X10LR-F= | FPR9K-NM-4X200G= | Juniper SRX4100-10G |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port Type | 6x10G LR | 4x200G QSFP-DD | 10x10G RJ45/SFP+ |
| Max Threat Prevention | 30 Gbps | 800 Gbps | 20 Gbps |
| Fiber Reach | 10 km | 2 km (SR4 optics) | 80 km (with DWDM) |
| Encryption Support | IPsec only | IPsec + MACsec | IPsec + SSL |
The FPR9K-NM-6X10LR-F= excels in long-haul 10G environments but lacks the encryption versatility of Juniper or higher-end Cisco modules.
Addressing Critical User Questions
Q: Can it replace legacy ASA 5585-X SSP-60 modules?
No. Migrating requires rearchitecting policies in Cisco FMC and using the ASA-to-FTD Migration Tool.
Q: How does it handle DDoS attacks?
Integrated with Cisco Stealthwatch, it triggers automated rate-limiting on ports exceeding baseline traffic thresholds.
Q: Is it compatible with SD-WAN overlays?
Yes. When paired with Cisco vManage, it applies application-aware QoS to SD-WAN tunnels traversing the 10G links.
Installation and Optimization Guidelines
- Optics Selection:
- Use Cisco SFP-10G-LR-S for 1310 nm single-mode fiber (10 km).
- Avoid third-party optics for mission-critical links—limited firmware diagnostics.
- Traffic Management:
- Enable Flow Offloading in FTD to bypass session table lookups for trusted traffic.
- Allocate 2 ports for east-west traffic and 4 for north-south to minimize cross-module congestion.
- Thermal Considerations:
- Maintain chassis ambient temperature <35°C—LR optics throttle at 40°C.
- Position the module in slots 2–5 for optimal airflow (slot 1 near PSUs runs hotter).
Where to Source Authentic Modules
Counterfeit modules often use refurbished ASICs, failing under sustained 10G loads. For guaranteed reliability, purchase from authorized distributors like itmall.sale’s Cisco category, which provides firmware pre-validation and Cisco Smart Net eligibility.
Practical Insights: Lessons from Large-Scale Deployments
In a recent deployment for a European ISP, the FPR9K-NM-6X10LR-F= handled 14 Gbps of encrypted VoIP traffic across 300 km of leased dark fiber. Its per-port telemetry in FMC quickly identified a misconfigured BGP peer flooding the network—saving hours of manual troubleshooting. However, the lack of MACsec forced a parallel deployment of MACsec switches for compliance, adding 15% to the project cost. For pure threat inspection without encryption, it’s a cost-effective workhorse. But if your roadmap includes quantum-safe encryption, wait for Cisco’s 2025 modules with CRYSTALS-Kyber support. Always negotiate optics bundles upfront; buying 6x SFP-10G-LR-S separately can double TCO.