Overview of the A9K-48X1GE-SE-B=

The Cisco A9K-48X1GE-SE-B= is a 48-port Gigabit Ethernet (1GE) line card engineered for the ​​Cisco ASR 9000 Series​​ routers. Designed for service providers and large enterprises, this module delivers cost-effective, high-density connectivity for edge and aggregation layers, supporting critical applications like broadband subscriber management and Metro Ethernet services.

Technical Specifications and Features

• ​​Port Configuration​​: 48x 1GE RJ-45 ports with support for copper or SFP-based connections.
• ​​Performance​​: ​​Up to 48 Gbps throughput​​ with hardware-accelerated forwarding for Carrier Ethernet and IP/MPLS services.
• ​​Layer 2/Layer 3 Capabilities​​: Supports VLAN, QoS, ACLs, IPv6, and MPLS-TE for traffic engineering.
• ​​Redundancy​​: Hot-swappable design with ISSU (In-Service Software Upgrade) compatibility for zero-downtime updates.

Addressing Key User Questions

​​Q: Is this line card suitable for high-availability networks?​​
Yes. The A9K-48X1GE-SE-B= integrates ​​non-stop routing (NSR)​​ and ​​stateful switchover (SSO)​​ to ensure seamless failover during hardware or software disruptions.

​​Q: Can it handle mixed copper and fiber deployments?​​
The RJ-45 ports support 10/100/1000BASE-T copper, while optional SFPs enable fiber connectivity for long-haul links.

Primary Use Cases

• ​​Broadband Aggregation​​: Manages thousands of subscriber connections in cable or DSL networks.
• ​​Enterprise Edge​​: Consolidates branch office traffic with granular QoS for VoIP and video.
• ​​VPN Termination​​: Securely terminates Layer 3 VPNs with MPLS encapsulation.

Sourcing and Compatibility

For organizations prioritizing reliability and cost efficiency, the “A9K-48X1GE-SE-B=” is available here. Verify compatibility with your ASR 9000 chassis (ASR-9901/9904/9910/9922) and ensure IOS XR 6.5.3 or later is installed.

Final Perspective: Balancing Cost and Functionality

While newer 10GE/100GE modules dominate headlines, the A9K-48X1GE-SE-B= remains indispensable for networks prioritizing ​​high port density at lower speeds​​. Its ability to handle legacy copper infrastructure while scaling for modern QoS demands makes it a pragmatic choice for budget-conscious upgrades. However, operators planning for 5G or hyperscale workloads should evaluate future bandwidth requirements to avoid premature obsolescence.