Overview of the A9K-8HG-FLEX-FC=

The Cisco A9K-8HG-FLEX-FC= is a ​​multi-rate, high-density line card​​ designed for the Cisco ASR 9000 Series routers, combining ​​8 flexible 10G/40G/100G ports​​ with integrated Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) capabilities. This module targets service providers and enterprises requiring unified transport for IP and storage traffic, particularly in hybrid cloud and data center interconnect (DCI) environments.

Core Technical Specifications

• ​​Port Configuration​​: 8x QSFP28 ports supporting ​​10GE, 40GE, or 100GE​​ via breakout cables, with ​​native FCoE support​​ for converged storage networking.
• ​​Forwarding Capacity​​: ​​Up to 800 Gbps aggregate throughput​​ using Cisco’s Quantum Flow Processor, optimized for MPLS-TE and EVPN-VXLAN.
• ​​Storage Integration​​: Hardware-accelerated FCoE encapsulation/decapsulation, enabling ​​lossless FC-to-IP convergence​​ with DCB (Data Center Bridging) and PFC (Priority Flow Control).
• ​​Resilience​​: Hitless ISSU (In-Service Software Upgrade) and NSR (Non-Stop Routing) for zero-downtime operations.

Addressing Critical User Concerns

​​Q: Is this module backward-compatible with legacy FC storage systems?​​
Yes. The A9K-8HG-FLEX-FC= supports ​​FCoE gateways​​, allowing seamless integration with traditional FC SANs while transitioning to IP-based storage fabrics.

​​Q: How does it handle mixed IP and storage traffic without congestion?​​
The module employs ​​hardware-based QoS hierarchies​​ and ​​per-flow policing​​, ensuring storage traffic (e.g., FCoE) receives priority over best-effort IP data.

Key Deployment Scenarios

• ​​Unified Cloud Fabrics​​: Converges SAN and LAN traffic over a single 100GE link, reducing cabling complexity in hybrid cloud architectures.
• ​​5G Mobile Backhaul​​: Aggregates fronthaul CPRI/eCPRI traffic with deterministic latency (<5 μs) using FlexE slicing.
• ​​Disaster Recovery​​: Supports ​​FCIP (Fibre Channel over IP)​​ for synchronous replication between geographically dispersed data centers.

Sourcing and Compatibility Guidance

For organizations modernizing legacy infrastructure, the “A9K-8HG-FLEX-FC=” is available here. Verify compatibility with ASR 9904/9910/9922 chassis and ensure IOS XR 7.7.1 or later is installed to unlock FCoE and FlexE features.

Final Perspective: Bridging Legacy and Future Networks

The A9K-8HG-FLEX-FC= addresses two persistent challenges in modern networks: ​​preserving investments in FC storage​​ and ​​scaling IP bandwidth cost-effectively​​. While newer 400G solutions gain traction, this module’s ability to unify FC and IP workflows makes it indispensable for phased cloud migrations. However, operators should evaluate FCoE adoption timelines—organizations fully committed to NVMe/TCP may find dedicated IP modules more efficient long-term. Its true strength lies in enabling architectural agility, allowing carriers to modernize without discarding existing SAN assets.