A9K-RSP5-SE

Description

The Cisco ASR 9000 Series Route Switch Processor 5 (RSP5), model A9K-RSP5-SE, is the next-generation system processor designed specifically for the Cisco ASR 9000 Series Routers. It excels in supporting high-density 100 and 400 Gigabit Ethernet line cards while maintaining backward compatibility with the third-generation family of ASR 9000 line cards. This service-edge-optimized version features higher memory capacity essential for large-scale, comprehensive service deployments.

System Architecture and Scalability

The ASR 9000 Series RSP5 architecture accommodates programmable deployment models and convergence of Layer 2 and Layer 3 services for wireline, Data-Center-Interconnect (DCI), and mobile aggregation applications. It delivers high scalability, performance, and fast convergence for demanding video, cloud, and mobile services with exceptional scale, service flexibility, and high availability.

• Switch fabric architecture for ASR 9010, ASR 9006, ASR 9904, ASR 9906, as well as hybrid architecture with ASR 9910 and ASR 9906 Fabric Cards.
• Distributed switch fabric using integrated fabrics on RSPs and dedicated switch fabric cards.
• Control of up to seven switch fabrics (two on RSP, five on fabric cards) matching scalability of ASR 9922 and ASR 9912 chassis.
• Multistage, low-latency, non-blocking architecture with service intelligence and traffic prioritization.

Superior Network Timing Capabilities

• Global Positioning System (GPS) via Time of Day (ToD), 10-MHz, and 1-PPS interfaces.
• Centralized Building Integrated Timing Supply (BITS).
• IEEE 1588 support for efficient timing over packet networks.
• Two independent clock source connections: BITS and Synchronization Supply Unit (SSU) DTI for redundant synchronization.

Software and Operational Excellence

Leveraging Cisco IOS XR Software, the RSP5 brings carrier-class capabilities to the Carrier Ethernet edge. The OS supports true software process modularity with each process in separate protected memory, including routing protocols and multiple instances of control, data, and management planes. Distributed route processing enhances performance.

Cisco IOS XR includes Software-Maintenance-Update (SMU) for bug fixes and small features without service interruption, and Field-Programmable Device (FPD) upgrades for FPGAs while systems run. Supported features encompass Ethernet Services, L2VPN, L3VPN, IPv4/IPv6, Layer 2/3 Multicast, IPoDWDM, SyncE, PTP, EOAM, MPLS OAM, ACLs, H-QoS, Segment Routing (SR/SRv6), RSVP/SR-TE, TI-LFA, RSVP-FRR, EVPN, MC-LAG, IRB, NSF/NSR, P2MP-TE, mLDP, Lawful Intercept, Smart Call Home.

Multiservice Edge (MSE) and Ethernet MSE (E-MSE) capabilities enable powerful business VPNs with SLA enforcement, scaling VRFs, routes, BFD, BGP NSR. Timing synchronization via GPS, DTI, BITS on RSP, plus SyncE/PTP on line cards, provides consolidated clocking.

Service-Edge Optimization

The A9K-RSP5-SE offers 40GB ECC-protected DRAM for high multiple-dimensional scale in VRF interfaces, IPv4/IPv6 routes, BFD sessions, BGP instances. It supports both service-optimized and transport-optimized line cards, allowing mixed chassis configurations for flexibility.

Hardware Reliability and Management

• Two 128GB SSDs for core dumps, reducing MTTR.
• Embedded eUSB and front-panel USB 2.0 for software storage/upgrades/recovery.
• Front-panel LEDs for RSP status (active/standby), power, SSD activity, alarms (ACO, SYNC, GPS, fabric fault).
• Management ports: Two 100/1000BASE-T RJ-45 LAN, console, auxiliary.
• Alarms: Critical (CR), Major (MJ), Minor (MN) outputs.
• Processor: 8 cores at 1.9 GHz.

Designed with no single point of failure, 1+1 RSP redundancy (same kind), and software redundancy. Compatible with ASR 9000 chassis series, sharing line cards, power, and thermal innovations.