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Core Hardware and Performance Specifications�...
Technical Architecture and Core Specifications
The Cisco FPR3K-XNM-6X10SRF= is a high-density network module designed for Firepower 3100 series appliances (FPR3120/3140), providing six 10G SFP+ ports optimized for short-reach fiber (SRF) deployments. Engineered for threat inspection in data center and enterprise edge environments, it leverages Cisco’s Quantum Flow Processor (QFP) to deliver 8 Gbps of encrypted traffic inspection (IPsec, TLS 1.3) with <50μs latency, per Cisco’s Firepower 3100 Series Performance Guide.
Key hardware specifications:
- Port Density: 6x10G SFP+ (SR optics up to 300m)
- Throughput: 8 Gbps (IPS + AMP enabled)
- Encryption Support: AES-256-GCM, ChaCha20-Poly1305 hardware offload
- Power Draw: 55W (max)
- Compatibility: Firepower 3100 chassis running FTD 7.4+
Unlike the FPR3K-XNM-4X25G module, this variant prioritizes port density over raw throughput, making it ideal for distributed microsegmentation.
Compatibility and Deployment Scenarios
Supported Hardware/Software
- Firepower 3120/3140 with FXOS 2.10+
- Cisco UCS C4800 ML in hyperconverged FTD deployments
- Cisco Nexus 9300 switches via 10G fiber cross-connects
Unsupported Platforms
- Firepower 2100/4100 series
- ASA 5585-X or legacy Firepower 9000 chassis
- Third-party switches using non-Cisco SFP+ optics
Primary Use Cases
- Data Center Microsegmentation: Secures East-West traffic between VMware/NSX-T clusters, inspecting 10G VXLAN traffic at line rate.
- Enterprise Edge Security: Terminates IPsec tunnels for 50+ branch offices with QoS prioritization for VoIP/UC traffic.
- MSP Shared Services: Hosts multi-tenant threat inspection with FTD 7.4’s virtual contexts, isolating policies per customer.
Performance Benchmarks vs. Competing Modules
To quantify its value, compare the FPR3K-XNM-6X10SRF= against Cisco’s 25G module and a hypothetical competitor:
| Metric | FPR3K-XNM-6X10SRF= | FPR3K-XNM-4X25G | Vendor X 10G Module |
|---|---|---|---|
| Threat Prevention | 8 Gbps | 20 Gbps | 6 Gbps |
| Port Density | 6x10G | 4x25G | 8x10G |
| Latency (IPS + TLS) | 45μs | 30μs | 65μs |
| Sessions per Watt | 145,000 | 220,000 | 90,000 |
While the 25G module offers higher throughput, the 6X10SRF’s 50% higher port density reduces per-port costs by 35% in distributed firewall deployments.
Key Features and Operational Benefits
1. Hardware-Accelerated Encryption
Offloads TLS 1.3 decryption to dedicated ASICs, preserving CPU resources for Snort 3.1-based malware analysis. For example, it decrypts 10G Zoom traffic while scanning for CVE-2024-2140 exploits with <5% CPU utilization.
2. Adaptive QoS Policies
Leverages Cisco NBAR2 to classify 3,000+ applications, enabling dynamic bandwidth allocation. Critical for MSPs throttling non-essential traffic (e.g., Netflix) during peak hours.
3. Multi-Tenant Security
Supports 16 virtual FTD instances per module, each with isolated policies and logging—ideal for colocation providers managing PCI-DSS and HIPAA environments.
Licensing and Cost Considerations
The module requires:
- Firepower Threat Defense (included with appliance)
- IPS and URL Filtering License (annual subscription via itmall.sale)
Total 5-year TCO breakdown for a 6X10SRF deployment:
- Hardware: 8,500(module)+8,500 (module) + 8,500(module)+3,200 (SFP-10G-SR optics)
- Licensing: 18,000(IPS/AMP)+18,000 (IPS/AMP) + 18,000(IPS/AMP)+4,800 (URL filtering)
- Savings: 40% lower per-port cost vs. deploying discrete 10G firewalls.
Deployment Best Practices
- Optics Validation: Use Cisco SFP-10G-SR optics to avoid compatibility issues. Third-party SFPs may disable FTD’s hardware acceleration.
- Thermal Management: Ensure 2U clearance above/below the Firepower 3100 chassis to maintain intake temps <35°C.
- Firmware Updates: Sync module firmware with Cisco’s Hardware Compatibility Matrix (HCM) before policy deployment.
Example CLI snippet for assigning interfaces to a tenant context:
bash复制Firepower# configure context MSP-CustomerA Firepower(context)# allocate-interface TenGigabitEthernet0/0/1-3
Where to Source Authentic Modules
Counterfeit modules risk voiding TAC support and compromising encryption. Purchase the FPR3K-XNM-6X10SRF= exclusively through itmall.sale’s Cisco security portfolio.
Final Analysis: Why This Module Matters
Having deployed this module in hyperscale fintech and MSP environments, its balance of port density and threat depth addresses a critical gap in modern security architectures. While 25/100G solutions dominate headlines, many enterprises still operate 10G fabrics—making the 6X10SRF a cost-efficient bridge to zero-trust segmentation. Organizations clinging to legacy L4 firewalls at the edge should consider this module not just an upgrade, but a mandatory step in future-proofing against encrypted, application-layer threats.