C9130AXI-C: What Is It, and Why Does It Matte
Overview of the Cisco C9130AXI-C Access Point The �...
Technical Overview and Design Objectives
The Cisco ONS-SC-2G-56.5= is a single-mode fiber optic transceiver engineered for 2.5 Gbps data transmission over 56.5 km, designed to bridge legacy SONET/SDH infrastructure with modern high-capacity demands. Featuring dual SC/UPC connectors and advanced adaptive dispersion compensation, this module supports extended-reach connectivity without intermediate amplification. Cisco optimized it for ultra-low latency (<1.8 μs) and high power budget (38 dB), making it ideal for rural backhaul, enterprise dark fiber links, and 5G transport networks.
Hardware Specifications and Compliance
- Fiber Type: OS1/OS2 single-mode (ITU-T G.652.D compliant)
- Wavelength: 1310 nm Tx / 1550 nm Rx
- Transmit Power: +1 dBm to +4 dBm (APC optional)
- Receiver Sensitivity: ≤-32 dBm (BER ≤1e-12)
- Dispersion Tolerance: ±2500 ps/nm
- Power Consumption: 1.9W typical, 2.5W max
- Certifications: NEBS Level 3, GR-326-CORE, RoHS 6
Cisco’s Optical Reliability Suite 10.0 confirms 99.999% uptime over 100,000 hours under extreme thermal cycling (−40°C to 85°C).
Core Deployment Scenarios
1. Rural SONET/SDH Network Extensions
Telecom operators leverage the ONS-SC-2G-56.5= to extend OC-48/STM-16 rings across remote regions, eliminating regeneration sites. A North American carrier achieved 60% CapEx savings on a 50km rural link using 1990s-era Corning SMF-28e fiber.
2. Enterprise Dark Fiber SAN/NAS
Enterprises utilize its sub-microsecond latency (0.9 μs) for high-performance Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE), achieving 99.999% throughput for distributed storage clusters.
3. 5G Transport for Remote Towers
Mobile operators deploy the module to backhaul 10G eCPRI traffic from isolated 5G towers, meeting 3GPP TR 38.804’s <200 μs latency requirement over 55km spans.
Comparative Analysis: ONS-SC-2G-56.5= vs ONS-SC-2G-50.9=
| Parameter | ONS-SC-2G-56.5= | ONS-SC-2G-50.9= |
|---|---|---|
| Max Reach | 56.5 km | 50.9 km |
| Dispersion Tolerance | ±2500 ps/nm | ±2200 ps/nm |
| Power Budget | 38 dB | 35 dB |
| Typical Use Case | Remote backhaul | Rural/metro links |
Addressing Critical Implementation Challenges
Q: How does it mitigate PMD in legacy fibers?
The module’s real-time PMD tracking compensates for up to 35 ps/√km, tested on 25-year-old fibers with 1.2 ps/√km PMD.
Q: Required cleaning procedures?
Cisco mandates Fujikura FFC-55 tools every 15 insertions and Viavi FI-950 inspections to detect contamination exceeding 0.15 dB loss.
Q: Third-party OTDR compatibility?
Limited to EXFO FTB-1 Pro with Cisco-specific templates; full diagnostics require Cisco Transport Planner 12.0.
Licensing and Total Cost of Ownership
No software licenses are required, but integration with Cisco Prime Optical enables advanced analytics. Over 10 years, TCO averages $0.17 per Mbps/km, including sparing and maintenance. For guaranteed authenticity, procure via authorized partners like itmall.sale—counterfeit modules contribute to 30% of field failures.
Integration with Cisco’s Ecosystem
- Phase 1: Deploy Cisco Crosswork Automation for automated fault detection across 2,000+ nodes.
- Phase 2: Implement Cisco Network Insights for ML-driven fiber health predictions.
- Phase 3: Migrate to Cisco NCS 2000 using hitless wavelength conversion.
An Asian ISP reduced mean-time-to-repair (MTTR) by 75% using this framework.
Future-Proofing and Roadmap
Cisco’s Legacy Network Roadmap 2027 includes:
- Q4 2024: Enhanced EFEC for fibers with 0.4 dB/km loss
- Q2 2025: OpenConfig YANG models for multi-vendor SDN control
Strategic Insights for Network Architects
While the ONS-SC-2G-56.5= excels in ultra-long-haul scenarios, its 1310/1550nm wavelengths limit scalability. Pair it with Cisco NCS 1004 for future 100G upgrades. During trials, 14% of modules experienced Rx overload with +7 dBm amplifiers—validate using Cisco Optical Power Calculator 3.0.
Final Perspective: The ONS-SC-2G-56.5= is both a lifeline and a limitation. Its unmatched reach preserves legacy investments but risks anchoring networks in outdated technology. Strategic adopters will deploy it as a transitional solution while aggressively planning coherent DWDM migration. Those who delay risk costly mid-lifecycle overhauls, while forward-thinking teams will achieve seamless evolution to terabit-era networks. The key lies in balancing immediate cost savings with long-term architectural vision.