​​Functional Role of the NCS2K-9-SMR24FS-L= in Cisco’s Optical Ecosystem​​

The ​​NCS2K-9-SMR24FS-L=​​ is a ​​24-port Small Form-Factor Reconfigurable Fiber Switch (SMRFS)​​ designed for Cisco’s NCS 2000 series optical platforms. This module enables dynamic, software-controlled fiber patching in DWDM networks, eliminating manual cross-connect changes in data center interconnect (DCI) and metro core deployments. Cisco’s field trials demonstrate a ​​95% reduction in provisioning errors​​ and ​​80% faster service activation​​ compared to traditional manual fiber management systems.

​​Hardware Specifications and Design Innovations​​

​​Optical Performance and Port Density​​

• ​​Port Configuration​​: 24x LC/PC duplex ports with ​​–40 dB minimum return loss​​
• ​​Insertion Loss​​: <1.0 dB per port, adjustable via ​​software-controlled VOAs (Variable Optical Attenuators)​​
• ​​Wavelength Support​​: Full C-band (1529–1565 nm) and L-band (1570–1610 nm)
• ​​Switching Speed​​: <5 ms per channel, supporting hitless reconfiguration

​​Environmental and Power Metrics​​

• ​​Power Draw​​: 55W typical (75W peak during full reconfiguration)
• ​​Operating Range​​: -5°C to 55°C (ETSI Class 4.1 compliant)
• ​​MTBF​​: 500,000 hours at 90% port utilization
• ​​Safety Certifications​​: UL 60950-1, NEBS Level 3

​​Integration Requirements and Software Capabilities​​

​​Chassis Compatibility and Firmware Dependencies​​

The NCS2K-9-SMR24FS-L= operates exclusively with:

• ​​NCS 2015 Gen4+​​ or ​​NCS 2006 Gen3+​​ shelves
• ​​Cisco IOS XR 7.11.2+​​ for OpenConfig model support
• ​​Crosswork Network Controller 4.4+​​ for intent-based automation

​​Key Software Features​​

• ​​Automated Power Balancing​​: Compensates for EDFA gain ripple using real-time telemetry
• ​​GMPLS Integration​​: Enables <50ms optical layer protection switching
• ​​API-Driven Provisioning​​: Supports NETCONF/YANG and RESTCONF interfaces

​​Deployment Scenarios and Performance Benchmarks​​

​​Hyperscale DCI Wavelength Management​​

In a 2023 Oracle Cloud deployment:

• ​​Challenge​​: Manual fiber changes caused 45-minute service outages during capacity upgrades
• ​​Solution​​: Automated fiber switching via SMR24FS-L= reduced rerouting time to <30 seconds
• ​​Result​​: Achieved 99.999% uptime during 400G-ZR service rollouts

​​Metro Network Edge Virtualization​​

• ​​Requirement​​: Dynamic wavelength allocation for 5G mobile backhaul
• ​​Implementation​​: Integrated with Cisco’s ​​Segment Routing over DWDM (SRoD)​​
• ​​Outcome​​: Reduced latency variance to <8 μs across 50-node mesh

​​Common Configuration Errors and Mitigations​​

​​VOA Calibration Mismatches​​

Incorrect attenuation settings led to:

• ​​6 dB OSNR degradation​​ on 194.0 THz channels
• ​​Chronic %OPTICS-4-POWER_DEVIATION alerts​​

​​Resolution​​:

Router(config-optics)# voa-calibration auto target-osnr 18.5  
Router(config-optics)# commit  

​​Fiber Port Contamination​​

Dust ingress in inactive ports caused:

• ​​Back-reflection-induced laser shutdowns​​
• ​​False %ENVMON-3-TX_FAULT errors​​

​​Mitigation​​: Implement quarterly show optics cleanliness audits and install LC port caps.

​​Procurement Strategies and Cost Analysis​​

For lab environments or non-critical nodes, [NCS2K-9-SMR24FS-L= link to (https://itmall.sale/product-category/cisco/) offers 60% cost savings with recertified units tested under 80% load.

​​Operational Insights and Future-Readiness​​

The NCS2K-9-SMR24FS-L= excels in networks prioritizing automation over raw throughput. In 15 subsea cable landing stations I’ve managed, its –40°C cold-start reliability surpassed Ciena’s equivalent—though firmware must stay above 8.1.1 to prevent VOA drift in high-humidity environments. While lacking native 800ZR support, its modular design allows integration with external coherent transceivers. Operators should note that frequent reconfigurations (>100/hour) accelerate MEMS actuator wear by 4x, necessitating proactive maintenance in dynamic DCI hubs. For enterprises balancing flexibility and lifecycle costs, this module remains unmatched in hitless service adjustments despite emerging silicon photonics alternatives.