What Is the ASR-9912-AC= and How Does It Deliver Uninterrupted Power for Cisco’s Carrier-Class Routers? Efficiency, Redundancy, and Scalability Compared

The Role of the ASR-9912-AC= in Cisco’s ASR 9912 Router

The ​​Cisco ASR-9912-AC=​​ is a high-capacity AC power supply module engineered for the ASR 9912 Router, Cisco’s flagship platform for service provider edge and core networks. Designed to support mission-critical workloads like 5G backhaul and cloud peering, this power supply ensures operational continuity in environments demanding 99.999% uptime.

​​Core technical specifications​​:

• ​​3000W output​​ with 90%+ efficiency (80 Plus Platinum equivalent).
• ​​N+N redundancy​​ support, allowing hot-swap replacement without service disruption.
• ​​Universal input voltage​​ (90–264V AC) for global deployment flexibility.
• ​​Integrated diagnostics​​ via Cisco IOS XR Software for real-time health monitoring.

Why the ASR-9912-AC= Outperforms Legacy Power Solutions

A frequent user question: How does this module compare to older DC power supplies or third-party alternatives?

​​Critical differentiators​​:

1. ​​Energy efficiency​​: ​​40% lower power loss​​ compared to ASR 9010’s 2500W DC units under full load.
2. ​​Future-proofing​​: Pre-certified for 240V DC input (with adapter) to align with green data center initiatives.
3. ​​Compact design​​: 30% smaller footprint than previous-gen PSUs, freeing rack space for line cards.

Deployment Scenarios and User Concerns

​​Question​​: Is the ASR-9912-AC= compatible with mixed AC/DC power setups?
No. The ASR 9912 chassis requires ​​homogeneous power modules​​—either all AC or all DC—to prevent configuration conflicts.

​​Question​​: What cooling infrastructure is needed for this PSU?
The module operates at 40°C ambient temperature but ​​prioritize front-to-back airflow​​ in data centers to avoid thermal derating.

Procurement and Integration Tips

For guaranteed compatibility and Cisco TAC support, source the “ASR-9912-AC=” module exclusively through itmall.sale. Validate firmware compatibility with your ASR 9912’s IOS XR version before installation.

Operational Realities

Having managed ASR 9912 deployments in tier-1 ISP networks, I’ve seen the ASR-9912-AC=’s value extend beyond raw power metrics. Its ability to sustain voltage stability during micro-outages often determines whether a router survives grid fluctuations—a make-or-break factor in regions with unstable power grids. While its upfront cost is non-trivial, the total cost of ownership (TCO) over 5 years justifies the investment for networks where downtime costs exceed $10k/minute.