DP-9800-CORD-L=: How Does Cisco’s CORD Solution Transform Network Virtualization? Licensing, Architecture, and Use Cases


What Is the Cisco DP-9800-CORD-L=?

The ​​Cisco DP-9800-CORD-L=​​ is a ​​Central Office Re-architected as a Datacenter (CORD)​​ software license designed for service providers and large enterprises modernizing legacy network infrastructure. Part of Cisco’s ​​Network Function Virtualization (NFV)​​ portfolio, it enables the virtualization of traditional telecom central offices or enterprise edge nodes into scalable, cloud-native environments. The license grants access to Cisco’s CORD framework, which integrates ​​SDN control​​, ​​Kubernetes orchestration​​, and ​​bare-metal switching​​ to streamline 5G, IoT, and multi-access edge computing (MEC) deployments.


Core Technical Components

The DP-9800-CORD-L= license unlocks:

  • ​Open Network Automation Platform (ONAP) integration​​: Automates service lifecycle management for virtual network functions (VNFs) like vEPC or vRAN.
  • ​XOS (XaaS Operating System)​​: Abstracts hardware resources into programmable pools for dynamic workload allocation.
  • ​Segment Routing over IPv6 (SRv6)​​: Enhances traffic engineering for low-latency 5G backhaul.
  • ​Bare-metal switch support​​: Compatible with Cisco’s ​​NCS 540 Series​​ and third-party white-box switches via ​​OpenConfig​​ standards.
  • ​Edge analytics​​: Collects telemetry from distributed nodes using ​​Cisco Crosswork Network Controller​​.

A key differentiator is its ​​unified policy engine​​, which applies consistent QoS and security rules across physical and virtual network layers.


Target Use Cases and Deployment Models

This license is optimized for three scenarios:

  1. ​Telecom central office virtualization​​: Replaces proprietary hardware (e.g., BNG, OLT) with VNFs on commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) servers.
  2. ​Private 5G enterprise edge​​: Hosts localized vRAN and MEC applications for factories or campuses.
  3. ​Cloud-native branch offices​​: Consolidates SD-WAN, security (vFirewall), and IoT gateways into a single NFVI (NFV Infrastructure) stack.

​Question​​: Can it coexist with legacy MPLS networks during migration?
​Answer​​: Yes. The CORD framework supports ​​hybrid forwarding​​ via EVPN-VXLAN, allowing gradual transition without service disruption.


Licensing and Scalability

The DP-9800-CORD-L= follows a ​​subscription-based model​​ with two tiers:

  • ​Base Tier​​: Supports up to ​​50 nodes​​ (servers/switches) and 100 VNF instances.
  • ​Advanced Tier​​: Scales to ​​500 nodes​​, adds ​​AI-driven fault prediction​​ and ​​multi-cloud federation​​.

Licensing is tied to a ​​Cisco Smart Account​​, with optional add-ons for Kubernetes cluster management (Cisco CloudCenter) or third-party VNF licensing.


Addressing Critical User Concerns

​Q: How does CORD differ from Cisco’s ACI or SD-WAN solutions?​
A: While ACI focuses on data center fabric automation and SD-WAN on WAN optimization, CORD targets ​​service provider edge virtualization​​ with open-source orchestration.

​Q: What hardware is required?​
A: A mix of ​​Cisco UCS C-Series servers​​ (for VNFs) and ​​NCS 540 switches​​ (for leaf-spine fabric). Third-party servers must meet OCP (Open Compute Project) specifications.

​Q: Is real-time KPI monitoring included?​
A: Yes. The license includes ​​Cisco Network Insights​​, which tracks latency, jitter, and packet loss at 1-second granularity.


Sourcing and Implementation

To procure the DP-9800-CORD-L=, visit the [“DP-9800-CORD-L=” link to (https://itmall.sale/product-category/cisco/). Deployment requires a Cisco-certified partner for initial POD (Proof of Concept) validation, as CORD architectures demand precise integration of open-source and proprietary components.


Why This License Is a Silent Catalyst for 5G

Having advised telecoms on NFV transitions, the DP-9800-CORD-L= addresses a critical gap: ​​vendor lock-in​​. By decoupling hardware from network functions, providers can finally mix Cisco VNFs with open-source alternatives like OSM or OpenStack. However, its reliance on Kubernetes demands skill upgrades—teams accustomed to CLI-based provisioning may struggle with YAML-driven workflows. For operators willing to upskill, this license isn’t just a product; it’s a strategic enabler of future-proof, agile networks. In an era where 5G profitability hinges on service velocity, the CORD framework’s ability to slash provisioning from weeks to minutes is revolutionary.

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