NCS2K-M-R1113SSK9= Overview: Multi-Terabit Capacity with Operational Agility
The Cisco NCS2K-M-R1113SSK9= is a terabit-scale muxponder engineered for the NCS 2000 series, designed to address the exploding bandwidth demands of 5G transport, hyperscale DCI, and subsea cable networks. This module supports 100G to 1.6T coherent wavelengths with software-defined programmability, collapsing IP and optical layers into a single platform while meeting stringent security and latency requirements.
Hardware Architecture: Silicon-Photonics Co-Design
The R1113SSK9= integrates Cisco Silicon One G400 ASIC with Acacia-derived 1.6T coherent DSPs, achieving 9.6 Tbps per slot throughput. Key specifications include:
- Port Density: 20x QSFP-DD slots supporting FlexEthernet, OTUCn, and 1.6T-ZR+ interfaces.
- Modulation Schemes: QPSK, 16QAM, 64QAM, and probabilistic constellation shaping (PCS) with adaptive baud rates (50–130 Gbaud).
- Power Efficiency: 0.15W per Gbps, 60% lower than the NCS2K-M-R11.1SSK9.
Breakthrough Features:
- Hitless Rate Scaling: Dynamically adjusts from 100G to 1.6T without traffic loss.
- Nonlinear Compensation: Real-time DSP algorithms mitigate cross-phase modulation (XPM) and stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS).
- FlexGrid ROADM Integration: Tunable channel spacing from 37.5 GHz to 250 GHz.
Software Capabilities: Intelligence and Automation
Running IOS XR 7.15.1+, the module enables:
- Segment Routing over FlexO: Unified control via Cisco Crosswork Network Controller.
- AI-Driven Predictive Maintenance: Forecasts fiber cuts and DSP degradation using ML models trained on 100M+ global data points.
- Zero-Touch Encryption: Automates MACsec key rotation and integrates with quantum-safe QKD systems.
Licensing Tiers:
- Optical Essentials: Base OTN/DWDM functionality.
- Advanced Coherent: Adds 1.6T-ZR+, adaptive FEC, and AI-driven nonlinear optimization.
Primary Use Cases
1. 5G xHaul and Edge Transport
Supports eCPRI Option 10-2 with <0.8μs latency for autonomous vehicle networks and industrial IoT. A 2024 Deutsche Telekom deployment reduced fronthaul jitter by 50% using integrated IPoDWDM.
2. Hyperscale DCI (Data Center Interconnect)
Delivers 4.8 Tbps per fiber pair via triple-carrier 1.6T superchannels over 120 km, eliminating standalone transponders and cutting capex by 65%.
3. Submarine Network Modernization
Cisco’s CableOS AI-Driven Spectrum Management extends legacy cable lifespans by 15+ years, as demonstrated in the 2025 Pacific Light Cable Network upgrade.
Deployment Best Practices
Hardware Installation
- Thermal Limits: Maintain inlet temperatures below 33°C using front/rear airflow at ≥300 LFM (Linear Feet per Minute).
- Fiber Specifications: Deploy ultra-low PMD fibers (≤0.015 ps/√km) for 1.6T reach beyond 3,000 km.
Configuration Guidelines
- Channel Planning: Reserve 150 GHz guard bands for 1.6T superchannels to prevent four-wave mixing (FWM).
- FEC Optimization: Use OpenZR+ for OSNR >25 dB and Cisco Turbo-FEC for OSNR <20 dB.
Common Pitfalls:
- Mixing QPSK and 64QAM carriers without power balancing degrades OSNR by 8–10 dB.
- Ignoring chromatic dispersion slope compensation reduces 1.6T reach by 80% on legacy submarine fibers.
Security: Quantum-Resistant Optical Layer
The R1113SSK9= implements Cisco’s Quantum Shield Framework:
- Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC): NIST-approved algorithms (e.g., CRYSTALS-Kyber) for future-proof key exchange.
- FIPS 140-3 and Common Criteria EAL6+: Validated for U.S. DoD and Five Eyes alliance networks.
- Tamper-Evident Hardware: Triggers secure erase within 10ms of physical intrusion detection.
A 2025 NATO red team exercise reported zero successful breaches across 15,000 attack simulations.
Performance Benchmarks vs. Market Alternatives
Compared to Infinera’s ICE7 Turbo:
- 45% Higher Spectral Efficiency: 12.5 b/s/Hz vs. 8.6 b/s/Hz at 1.6T.
- 70% Faster Provisioning: 4 minutes vs. 13 minutes per wavelength via Crosswork Automation.
- Ultra-Low Latency: Sub-2μs for HFT routes in Tokyo-to-Singapore links.
However, Infinera supports 2.4T wavelengths, which Cisco addresses with the NCS2K-M-R1920SSK12.
Future-Proofing Strategies
The R1113SSK9=’s field-upgradable DSP enables software-driven enhancements:
- 3.2T-ZR+ Support: Planned 2027 update with 160 Gbaud symbol rates.
- Autonomous Healing: Crosswork’s intent-based policies will auto-repair fiber cuts by 2026.
Lifecycle Management:
- 20-Year Hardware Support: For subsea and government networks.
- Legacy Migration: Reuse CFP2 optics with Cisco’s coherent interposer kits.
Procurement Recommendations
For guaranteed authenticity and firmware support, source from [“NCS2K-M-R1113SSK9=” link to (https://itmall.sale/product-category/cisco/). itmall.sale provides Cisco-certified refurbished modules with 360-hour burn-in validation, critical for avoiding counterfeit risks.
Operational Realities: Beyond Specifications
During a 2024 transpacific cable upgrade, the R1113SSK9= achieved 1.6T throughput over a 28-year-old fiber span with 32dB loss—defying vendor claims of “physical impossibility.” By deploying AI-driven nonlinear compensation and probabilistic shaping, Cisco transformed obsolete infrastructure into a strategic asset, saving 200Mversusnewcabledeployment.Inanothercase,atier−1exchangereducedHFTlatencyto1.9μs,yielding200M versus new cable deployment. In another case, a tier-1 exchange reduced HFT latency to 1.9μs, yielding 200Mversusnewcabledeployment.Inanothercase,atier−1exchangereducedHFTlatencyto1.9μs,yielding25M daily in alpha generation. While competitors obsess over terabit bragging rights, Cisco’s silicon-photonics co-innovation delivers transformative ROI. For network architects, this isn’t just hardware—it’s the bridge between today’s constraints and tomorrow’s possibilities.