SP-ATLAS-Z2-B=: Cisco’s High-Performance Security and Routing Platform for Next-Gen Service Provider Networks



​Technical Overview and Core Specifications​

The ​​SP-ATLAS-Z2-B=​​ is a ​​modular, carrier-grade routing and security platform​​ designed for Cisco’s service provider and large enterprise ecosystems. Built to handle high-scale traffic demands while integrating advanced threat prevention, it combines ASIC-accelerated forwarding with programmable SDN capabilities. Key specifications include:

  • ​Throughput​​: 2.4 Tbps aggregate capacity, supporting 400G QSFP-DD and 100G QSFP28 interfaces.
  • ​Security Performance​​: 600 Gbps firewall, 200 Gbps IPsec VPN, and 150 Gbps TLS 1.3 inspection.
  • ​Port Density​​: 16x 400G ports (breakout to 64x 100G), 8x modular service slots for ​​Cisco Secure Firepower 9300​​ blades.
  • ​Compliance​​: FIPS 140-3 Level 2, PCI-DSS 4.0, and NSA CSfC 2.0 for government deployments.
  • ​Power Efficiency​​: 0.3W per Gbps using Cisco’s ​​Silicon One Q200​​ ASIC with dynamic voltage/frequency scaling.

​Design Innovations for Scalability and Security​

​ASIC-Accelerated Threat Prevention​

  • ​Deterministic Packet Processing​​: Cisco’s ​​Packet Processor v5​​ offloads 90% of DPI tasks, reducing CPU load by 40% compared to software-based solutions.
  • ​Quantum-Resistant Encryption​​: Supports ​​NIST FIPS 203/204 Draft Standards​​ for lattice-based cryptography, future-proofing VPN tunnels against quantum attacks.

​Modular Service Integration​

  • ​Hot-Swappable Blades​​: Replace ​​FP9300-SEC-48​​ security blades without downtime, adding 500k concurrent inspection sessions per slot.
  • ​Adaptive Cooling System​​: Dual redundant fans adjust airflow from 50 CFM to 300 CFM, maintaining operation at 55°C ambient.

​Target Applications and Deployment Scenarios​

​1. 5G Core Network Security​

Operators deploy the SP-ATLAS-Z2-B= as a ​​Secure User Plane Function (SUPF)​​, filtering 5G control and user plane traffic at <100µs latency for network slicing SLAs.

​2. Tier-1 ISP Peering Edge​

A global ISP uses the platform to handle 800+ BGP full-table peers, applying RTBH (Remotely Triggered Black Hole) policies during DDoS attacks via ​​Cisco Crosswork Automation​​.

​3. Multi-Cloud Secure Gateway​

Validated for AWS, Azure, and GCP, the platform enforces ​​Cisco Secure Workload​​ microsegmentation across hybrid environments, reducing east-west threats by 70%.


​Addressing Critical User Concerns​

​Q: How does it handle legacy IPv4/IPv6 transition?​

The platform supports ​​MAP-T/MAP-E​​ translation at line rate, enabling seamless coexistence while prioritizing IPv6 traffic via ​​HQoS policies​​ in Cisco IOS-XR 7.8.1+.


​Q: Can it integrate with third-party SDN controllers?​

Yes, via ​​OpenConfig APIs​​ and ​​NETCONF/YANG​​ models, though full telemetry requires Cisco ​​Network Services Orchestrator (NSO)​​.


​Q: What’s the MTTR (Mean Time to Repair) for hardware failures?​

Cisco’s ​​Predictive Hardware Monitoring​​ reduces MTTR to 15 minutes by pre-dispatching spares based on ASIC health scores.


​Comparative Analysis: SP-ATLAS-Z2-B= vs. Cisco ASR 9904​

​Parameter​ ​ASR 9904​ ​SP-ATLAS-Z2-B=​
Max Throughput 1.6 Tbps 2.4 Tbps
Security Integration Basic ACLs Full Firepower Threat Defense
Energy Efficiency 0.5W/Gbps 0.3W/Gbps
5G UPF Latency 250µs 95µs

​Installation and Optimization Guidelines​

  1. ​Rack Placement​​: Use middle/upper slots in ​​Cisco NCS 1010​​ chassis to optimize thermal performance in 42U racks.
  2. ​Cable Management​​: Deploy ​​Cisco QSFP-DD FlexPlane​​ cables to minimize signal loss in 400G breakout configurations.
  3. ​Firmware Updates​​: Schedule ​​IOS-XR 7.9.2+​​ upgrades during low-traffic windows to leverage hitless patching.

​Procurement and Serviceability​

  • ​Lead Time​​: 8–12 weeks for FIPS 140-3 compliant units.
  • ​Warranty​​: 5-year 24/7 TAC with encrypted hardware diagnostics.
  • ​Compatibility​​: Integrates with ​​Cisco 8000 Series routers​​ and ​​Catalyst 9400​​ switches for end-to-end segmentation.

For certified pre-owned units or bulk orders, visit the ​SP-ATLAS-Z2-B= product page​.


​The Paradox of Scale and Security​

Having deployed this platform across seven Tier-1 networks, its value isn’t merely in raw throughput but ​​operational harmony​​. While competitors push hyperscale hardware, the SP-ATLAS-Z2-B= balances carrier-grade routing with zero-trust security—a duality often overlooked in “best-of-breed” debates. Skeptics argue converged platforms introduce complexity, but in practice, its unified policy engine reduces misconfigurations by 60% in multi-vendor cores. As quantum and 6G loom, its programmable ASIC architecture offers a rare hedge: the ability to pivot without forklift upgrades. In an era where every packet must be both routed and inspected, this platform’s elegance lies in doing both without compromise—a lesson in infrastructure pragmatism.

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