What Is the Cisco C8300-1N1S-6T? SD-WAN Capabilities, Legacy Support, and Deployment Scenarios



​Overview of the Cisco C8300-1N1S-6T​

The Cisco C8300-1N1S-6T is a ​​high-performance branch router​​ tailored for enterprises needing robust SD-WAN integration, legacy T1/E1 connectivity, and advanced threat defense. Designed for hybrid networks, it bridges traditional WAN infrastructures with modern cloud-centric demands, offering ​​1x Network Interface Module (NIM) slot, 1x SFP port, and 6x T1/E1 ports​​ in a compact 1RU form factor.


​Key Technical Specifications​

  • ​Interfaces​​: ​​6x T1/E1 ports​​ for legacy circuit support, 1x 1G SFP, 1x NIM slot (expandable for additional interfaces), and 8x GE RJ45 ports.
  • ​Performance​​: ​​Up to 2 Gbps throughput​​ with IPsec VPN enabled, powered by Cisco’s Quantum Flow Processor.
  • ​Security​​: ​​Cisco SD-WAN​​ with Application-Aware Routing, ​​Cisco Umbrella DNS-layer protection​​, and Zone-Based Firewall.
  • ​Scalability​​: Supports ​​10,000 VPN tunnels​​ and dynamic multipoint VPN (DMVPN) for large-scale deployments.

​Addressing Core User Concerns​

​Q: Can this router handle both legacy T1 lines and modern SD-WAN?​

Yes. The ​​6x T1/E1 ports​​ ensure backward compatibility with legacy leased lines, while the integrated SD-WAN stack optimizes cloud application traffic (e.g., Microsoft 365, AWS).

​Q: How does it secure remote branch traffic?​

​Cisco Umbrella​​ blocks malicious domains before they reach the network, and ​​AES-256 encryption​​ safeguards data across VPN tunnels. Application visibility tools prioritize critical traffic, reducing exposure to DDoS attacks.


​Comparison: C8300-1N1S-6T vs. C8300-2N2S-6T​

​Feature​ ​C8300-1N1S-6T​ ​C8300-2N2S-6T​
NIM Slots 1 2
SFP Ports 1x 1G 2x 1G/10G
T1/E1 Ports 6 6
Target Use Case Sites transitioning from T1 to SD-WAN High-speed SD-WAN with redundant uplinks

​Ideal Deployment Scenarios​

  • ​Financial Institutions​​: Securely connect branches using legacy T1 lines while integrating SD-WAN for cloud-based trading platforms.
  • ​Retail Chains​​: Migrate from frame relay to SD-WAN incrementally, maintaining POS systems on T1 during the transition.
  • ​Healthcare​​: Ensure HIPAA compliance with encrypted VPN tunnels for patient data, while supporting legacy imaging systems via T1/E1.

For enterprises balancing ​​legacy and cloud modernization​​, the C8300-1N1S-6T is available here, offering a phased path to network transformation.


​Final Insight​

The C8300-1N1S-6T is a strategic choice for organizations ​​phasing out legacy WAN​​ but not yet ready to fully abandon T1/E1 investments. While its 2 Gbps throughput may limit data-heavy environments, its dual focus on SD-WAN agility and backward compatibility makes it indispensable for risk-averse industries like banking or healthcare. Just ensure future NIM expansions align with evolving bandwidth needs—this router’s true value lies in its transitional flexibility.

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