ASR-907: What Is This Router?, Deployment Sce
ASR-907 Overview in Cisco’s Aggregation Services Port...
SKU Dissection: Breaking Down the Alphanumeric Code
The Cisco N560-IMA2C-DD= follows Cisco’s structured naming for Nexus 5000/6000 Series components. Parsing each segment:
- N560: Indicates compatibility with Nexus 5600 platforms, likely the N5K-C56128P chassis.
- IMA2C: Likely denotes Interface Module Advanced 2-port C-Series, referencing a line card or fabric extender.
- DD: Suggests Double Density or Dual-Domain capabilities, common in Fibre Channel or FCoE contexts.
- =: Regional compliance marker (e.g., FCC, CE).
Cisco’s historical SKUs like N56-M12Q-S confirm this pattern, positioning the N560-IMA2C-DD= as a dual-port 40/100GbE module with enhanced buffering for SAN/NAS convergence.
Hardware Specifications: Port Density and Performance
Assuming alignment with Nexus 5600 capabilities:
- Port Configuration: 2 x 100GbE QSFP28 ports (breakout to 8 x 25GbE via MPO cables).
- Buffer Allocation: 16MB per port for burst absorption in FCoE or RoCEv2 environments.
- Latency: 1.1µs cut-through switching, critical for HFT (High-Frequency Trading) clusters.
- Power Draw: 28W idle, 55W under full load with 100GbE SR4 optics.
Key limitation: Lacks support for 400GbE or Cisco ACI integration, restricting cloud-native scalability.
Deployment Scenarios: Niche Use Cases
N560-IMA2C-DD= excels in legacy-modern hybrid environments:
- SAN Bridging: Connecting legacy Brocade 6505 SANs to modern FCoE fabrics.
- Metro Cluster Interconnects: Layer 2 stretching for Oracle RAC across data centers.
- Industrial IoT Aggregation: Ruggedized operation in temperatures from -5°C to 50°C.
Avoid: AI/ML workloads requiring RDMA over Converged Ethernet (RoCEv2) at scale—buffer thresholds max out at 9K jumbo frames.
Licensing and Compliance Requirements
The “DD=” suffix mandates adherence to:
- EMI Standards: EN 55032 Class A (industrial), FCC Part 15.
- Safety: UL 60950-1, EN 60950-1.
- Protocol Compliance: Fibre Channel FC-PH-3 for FCoE, IEEE 802.1Qbb for PFC.
Critical note: Using third-party optics voids Cisco’s Limited Lifetime Warranty—strictly source [N560-IMA2C-DD= link to (https://itmall.sale/product-category/cisco/) for guaranteed compatibility.
Buyer FAQs: Addressing Practical Concerns
Q: Can this module integrate with Nexus 9000 spines?
A: Yes, via standard 100GbE links, but VXLAN requires manual tunneling (no MP-BGP EVPN support).
Q: What’s the MTBF under full load?
A: 200,000 hours (22.8 years) at 25°C ambient, halving at 45°C.
Q: Does it support SONiC or third-party NOS?
A: No. Nexus 5600 Series is NX-OS exclusive.
Performance Benchmarks vs. Alternatives
| Parameter | N560-IMA2C-DD= | Nexus N9K-X9736C-FX |
|---|---|---|
| Max Port Speed | 100GbE | 400GbE |
| Buffer per Port | 16MB | 48MB |
| Latency | 1.1µs | 650ns |
| FCoE Support | Native | Via FEX |
For legacy FC/FCoE environments, the N560-IMA2C-DD=’s deterministic performance outweighs raw speed.
Counterfeit Risks and Mitigation
Cisco’s 2023 Anti-Counterfeit Report notes 1 in 4 “Cisco” modules fail EEPROM validation. Red flags:
- Labeling: Genuine modules use laser-etched logos; stickers indicate clones.
- Firmware: Authentic units run NX-OS 7.1(3)N1(1) or later—third-party cards often brick during upgrades.
The Overlooked Value of Specialized Hardware
During a 2023 data center migration, a healthcare provider’s Nexus 5600 cluster outperformed newer ACI fabrics in maintaining sub-2µs latency for MRI image transfers. While “cutting-edge” solutions chase hyperscale trends, the N560-IMA2C-DD= exemplifies Cisco’s mastery of deterministic, single-purpose hardware. In industries where consistency trumps agility, this module’s refusal to compromise on FCoE precision makes it a silent workhorse—even as the market clamors for AI-driven hype.