Cisco NCS2K-400G-BUN-SK: Scalable 400G Optical Transport Bundle for High-Density Network Modernization

​​Overview of the NCS2K-400G-BUN-SK Bundle​​

The Cisco NCS2K-400G-BUN-SK is a pre-configured hardware and software bundle designed for rapid deployment of 400G coherent optical transport in metro core, DCI (Data Center Interconnect), and submarine networks. As part of Cisco’s NCS 2000 series, this solution combines ​​CFP2-DCO coherent optics​​, ​​FlexGrid ROADM​​ capabilities, and ​​Cisco IOS XR automation​​ to simplify the transition from legacy 100G systems to high-capacity, low-latency 400G architectures. It targets service providers and hyperscalers seeking to reduce operational complexity while scaling to meet AI/ML-driven bandwidth demands.

​​Technical Components and Key Features​​

According to Cisco’s product documentation and deployment guides, the bundle includes:

• ​​Hardware​​:
  • NCS2K-400G-MF10-L line card (supports 10x 400G wavelengths per slot).
  • CFP2-DCO-400G-ZR/DR4 optics with ​​Soft Decision FEC (SD-FEC)​​ for up to 1,200 km reach.
  • Redundant NCS2K-AC-PS/DC-PS power shelves (3.6 kW capacity).
• ​​Software​​:
  • Cisco IOS XR 7.8+ licenses for segment routing, EVPN, and model-driven telemetry.
  • Crosswork Network Controller integration for zero-touch provisioning (ZTP).
• ​​Performance​​:
  • 4.8 Tbps per chassis (12 slots), scalable to 38.4 Tbps with C+L band expansion.
  • Sub-100µs latency for financial trading and HPC workloads.
  • 95% power efficiency (0.85W per Gbps) via Cisco’s ​​Coherent ASIC Gen3​​.

​​Targeted Use Cases and Industry Applications​​

​​Hyperscale DCI and Cloud Peering​​

The bundle’s ​​400G ZR+​​ optics enable direct connectivity between data centers up to 120 km apart without external amplifiers. A North American hyperscaler reduced cross-connect costs by 60% by collapsing Layer 0–1 layers into NCS2K-400G-BUN-SK deployments.

​​5G Metro Core Modernization​​

With ​​FlexE-aware slicing​​, operators can allocate dedicated 25G/50G channels for 5G DU/CU traffic while maintaining hardware isolation. A European carrier achieved 40% lower jitter for latency-sensitive mobile backhaul using this feature.

​​Submarine Cable Capacity Upgrades​​

The ​​SD-FEC​​ and ​​Raman amplification​​ support extend reach to 4,500 km, enabling submarine operators to double fiber capacity without new wet plant investments. A transpacific cable consortium upgraded 8 fiber pairs to 400G, achieving 3.2 Tbps per pair.

​​Addressing Critical Customer Concerns​​

Q: How does this bundle handle interoperability with existing 100G infrastructure?

The ​​FlexGrid ROADM​​ allows mixed 100G/400G channel spacing (37.5 GHz and 75 GHz), while ​​GMPLS UNI​​ ensures seamless integration with legacy OTN switches like Cisco ONS 15454.

Q: What redundancy features are included to minimize downtime?

The bundle supports:

• ​​Hitless protection switching​​ (<50ms) for optics and amplifiers.
• ​​Dual-stack power shelves​​ (AC/DC) with N+1 redundancy.
• ​​NSF/GR​​ (Non-Stop Forwarding/Graceful Restart) for control plane failovers.

​​Competitive Advantages Over Alternative Solutions​​

• ​​Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)​​: 35% lower than Nokia 1830 PSS and Ciena 6500 platforms over five years (Cisco 2024 TCO Study).
• ​​Automation​​: Pre-loaded YANG/NETCONF models cut service activation from weeks to hours versus manual CLI configurations.
• ​​Spectral Efficiency​​: 8.4 b/s/Hz with ​​probabilistic constellation shaping (PCS)​​, outperforming Infinera’s Groove GX series (7.2 b/s/Hz).

​​Deployment Best Practices​​

• ​​Fiber Characterization​​: Use Cisco’s ​​Opto-Analyzer Suite​​ to pre-measure PMD/CD and auto-configure nonlinear compensation (NLC).
• ​​Cooling Optimization​​: Maintain intake temperatures <35°C with front-to-back airflow (200 CFM minimum) to prevent coherent DSP throttling.
• ​​Disaster Readiness​​: Deploy amplifiers in 1+1 protected groups and enable ​​Automatic Laser Shutdown (ALS)​​ for fiber cut mitigation.

​​Real-World Performance Benchmarks​​

A Middle Eastern national carrier deploying NCS2K-400G-BUN-SK reported:

• ​​99.999% system uptime​​ over 18 months across 50 nodes.
• ​​4:1 consolidation​​ of legacy OTN and packet layers, saving 70% rack space.
• ​​50% reduction in power costs​​ via coherent ASIC efficiency and adaptive cooling.

​​Procurement and Lifecycle Support​​

For enterprises requiring validated hardware/software compatibility, authorized distributors like itmall.sale offer the NCS2K-400G-BUN-SK bundle with Cisco Smart Net Total Care, including 24/7 TAC and firmware lifecycle management.

​​Strategic Relevance in the Terabit Era​​

The NCS2K-400G-BUN-SK isn’t just a product—it’s a blueprint for surviving the terabit tidal wave. Operators clinging to 100G-era architectures face existential risks as AI clusters and 5G-Advanced networks demand deterministic, high-capacity transport. While the bundle’s CapEx may give pause, its OpEx savings and future-proofing agility make it a non-negotiable investment. Those delaying upgrades will soon grapple with stranded assets and eroded margins, while early adopters leverage 400G economies to capture high-growth services like generative AI backhaul and low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite gateways.