What Is the ASR-914++? Performance Benchmarks, Use Cases, and Key Differences

ASR-914++ Overview

The ​​ASR-914++​​ is an upgraded variant of Cisco’s ASR 914 Router, optimized for ​​high-density metro Ethernet and 5G backhaul​​ deployments. Designed to address scalability limitations in the original ASR-914, this model introduces enhanced forwarding capacity, improved power efficiency, and expanded interface flexibility. It targets service providers needing to aggregate traffic from cell towers, IoT hubs, or edge data centers.

Critical Technical Enhancements

• ​​Throughput​​: ​​120 Gbps​​ full-duplex capacity, doubling the original ASR-914’s 60 Gbps limit.
• ​​Port Density​​: Supports up to ​​16x10G or 4x100G interfaces​​ in a compact 2RU chassis, ideal for space-constrained sites.
• ​​Power Efficiency​​: ​​30% lower power draw​​ per gigabit compared to the ASR-914, achieved via Cisco’s Quantum Flow Processor advancements.
• ​​Timing​​: Integrated GNSS and IEEE 1588v2/PTP support for precise synchronization in 5G networks.

Addressing Core Deployment Questions

​​Q: Is the ASR-914++ backward-compatible with ASR-914 line cards?​​
No. The ​​ASR-914++ uses Gen 2+ modules​​ (e.g., ASR-900-4X10GE-XP-LT), which are incompatible with Gen 1 slots in the original ASR-914.

​​Q: Can it handle Layer 3 VPNs or SD-WAN overlays?​​
Yes, but only with the ​​Advanced Services license​​, which unlocks features like MPLS, EVPN, and Cisco vManage integration.

​​Q: Does it support MACsec encryption for fronthaul links?​​
Yes. ​​256-bit MACsec​​ is hardware-accelerated on all 10G/100G ports, critical for securing 5G RAN traffic.

Sourcing Genuine ASR-914++ Units

Gray-market sellers often mislabel refurbished ASR-914 units as “++” models. For verified ASR-914++ routers, purchase through [“ASR-914++” link to (https://itmall.sale/product-category/cisco/).

Field Experience Perspective

In a recent 5G rollout, ASR-914++ routers handled bursty mMTC (massive Machine-Type Communication) traffic far better than their predecessors. However, their stricter module compatibility forced costly mid-project upgrades for teams that mixed Gen 1 and Gen 2+ hardware. Always audit existing infrastructure before deploying—assuming backward compatibility is a recipe for delays.