Cisco ASR-920-12SZ-A Router

The Cisco ASR 920 Series Aggregation Services Class B Timing Compliance Router is a full-featured converged access platform, positioned as a Carrier Ethernet aggregation platform for business services or as a CSR/Small Aggregation platform for the Mobile Backhaul for 5G markets. These 5G ready routers meet ITU G.8273.2 Class B Timing specifications and provides better accuracy using PTP for phase delivery. These high-throughput, small-form-factor, low-power-consumption routers are optimized for mobile backhaul and business applications. ASR 920 routers provide a comprehensive and scalable feature set, supporting both Layer 2 VPN (L2VPN) and Layer 3 VPN (L3VPN) services in a compact package. They also allow service providers to deploy Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS)-based VPN services from within the access layer.

Product overview

ASR 920 series router offers key Carrier Ethernet features that simplify network operation. You can use them for premium services with enhanced Service-Level Agreements (SLAs). And an optional service-activation model supports incremental growth and makes these routers flexible and cost-effective.

The new Class B Timing Compliance Cisco ASR 920 Series routers come in a small form factor (1RU) and in the below configurations:

●   Cisco ASR 920-12SZ-A fixed access platform with single AC power supply, twelve 1/10GE SFP interfaces, Timing (1PPS/10MHz/ToD) interfaces and pluggable GNSS module

●   Cisco ASR 920-12SZ-D fixed access platform with dual DC power supplies twelve 1/10GE SFP interfaces, Timing (1PPS/10MHz/ToD) interfaces and pluggable GNSS module

●   Cisco ASR 920-20SZ-M fixed access platform with modular AC/ DC redundant power supplies, twenty GE SFP interfaces, four GE copper interfaces and 4X10GE SFP+ interfaces and Timing (1PPS/10MHz/ToD) interfaces

Prominent features

Broadband access

Cisco ASR 920 Class B timing routers support broadband access for delivering “any-play” services (that is, voice, video, data, and mobility) to thousands of subscribers. Quality of Service (QoS) on these routers can scale up to a large number of queues per device. This large number of queues, combined with a three-level hierarchical QoS algorithm, can deliver an enhanced broadband user experience. This full-featured Layer 2 switch and Layer 3 router supports a variety of broadband applications, including IPTV and Video on Demand (VoD), enhancing and extending the Cisco Evolved Programmable Network (EPN) architecture.

Converged access for mobile applications

Deployed as a converged access platform for mobile backhaul, the ASR 920 router can aggregate multiple base stations through multiple Ethernet and IP interfaces, and it can use MPLS as a transport for mobile backhaul traffic. It also provides the Synchronous Ethernet (SyncE) and IEEE-1588 timing services required in today’s converged access networks. The model (ASR-920-12SZ-A /ASR-920-12SZ-D) has a pluggable GNSS receiver, which can act as a grandmaster clock for aggregating and backhauling small cell traffic. The router can be deployed in small, completely sealed cabinets in outside environments, because of its small form factor and its durability in extended temperature ranges.

Metro Ethernet access

The Cisco ASR 920 router is built to meet service provider requirements for Carrier Ethernet access. It is optimized for remote access and central offices, for smaller aggregation sites where a full-featured, small-footprint converged platform is needed. The router offers service flexibility and delivers Layer 2, IP, and MPLS transport for advanced L2VPN, L3VPN, and multicast services.

Major differentiators

ASR 920 routers help service providers deliver differentiated, cost-effective services such as residential broadband, mobile, and Metro Ethernet. It also provides all the features required for MEF 3.0 service initiation, including services such as ELINE, ELAN, ETREE, ACCESS ELINE, TRANSIT ELINE.

Flexible deployment options

ASR 920 routers are designed with a 1RU compact form factor to accommodate deployment in small spaces. Available with a range of mounting options, these routers can be deployed in space-constrained locations and cabinets. The extended temperature range supported by ASR 920 router allows them to be deployed in locations with minimal environmental control. In addition, their small footprint allows service providers to extend the reach of their Carrier Ethernet networks to more challenging and remote locations.

Power-supply unit

The new class B timing compliant routers support dual redundant fixed power supply module for DC(ASR-920-12SZ-D) & single fixed power supply module for AC(ASR-920-12SZ-A) PSU with front to back airflow. ASR-920-20SZ-M supports dual redundant power supply modules with front to back airflow and are field replaceable.

Powered by the Cisco Carrier Ethernet ASIC

Powered by the Cisco Carrier Ethernet Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), which was designed specifically for service providers, ASR 920 routers deliver essential Carrier Ethernet technologies, including Hierarchical Quality of Service (HQoS), MPLS, and Virtual Private LAN Services (VPLS). This custom and advanced ASIC design provides uninterrupted line-rate performance while delivering complex services such as Access Control List (ACL) and HqoS. The Carrier Ethernet ASIC integrates Cisco traffic-management innovation to deliver intelligent packet-switching and routing operations.

Service enhancement

In ASR 920 routers, each service is assigned enhanced QoS and security attributes. The router provides advanced per-traffic-class metering and offers bidirectional packet-count and byte-count statistics. The service offering is enhanced with Operations, Administration, and Maintenance (OAM) functions that include Layer 2 Connectivity Fault Management (CFM), IP Service-Level Agreements (SLAs) for Layer 3, and MPLS OAM.

Benefits

MPLS in the access layer

Cisco ASR 920 routers extend MPLS into the access layer by allowing service providers to initiate MPLS-based Layer 2 and Layer 3 VPN services from within the access layer. These routers give service providers the ability to expand MPLS toward their network edge to gain the advantages of a single unified MPLS control plane across their networks. They offer full VPLS support, allowing multipoint services definition. For additional flexibility, VPLS can be deployed as a full mesh or as Hierarchical VPLS (H-VPLS).

Incremental investment model

The Return on Investment (ROI) on an access element is heavily influenced by its location in the network and proximity to customers. The ability to deploy ASR 920 routers, then activate features later, on demand, delivers investment protection. This protection allows flexible timing for deploying MPLS and10 Gigabit Ethernet services and boosting service capacity.

Advanced Service-Level Agreements

Service-aware QoS allows service providers to expand and differentiate their services portfolio with highly advanced and differentiated SLAs. The HQoS capabilities of ASR 920 routers scale to eight queues per service, three levels of scheduling, and buffer volumes capable of accommodating today’s most demanding wireline and wireless applications.

Mobile timing and synchronization services

ASR 920 routers provide the timing services required in a converged access network to support mobile solutions, including Radio Access Network (RAN) applications. The new Cisco ASR920 Class B timing compliance routers will support enhanced timing capabilities via the Class B boundary clock ±20ns, which is required for MBH & 5G. They also support SyncE with Ethernet Synchronization Messaging Channel (ESMC) and Synchronization Status Messages (SSM) to allow excellent clock-source traceability. In addition, the routers support IEEE-1588, and the ASR-920-12SZ-A/ASR-920-12SZD models have a pluggable GNSS receiver which can act as a grandmaster clock for aggregating and backhauling small cell traffic.

Operational efficiency for carrier Ethernet access deployments

Cisco ASR 920 routers feature major enhancements that help service providers simplify and facilitate network management, for reduced operational costs. With these innovative features, ASR 920 routers can be deployed in a variety of applications, including business services with 10-Gigabit Ethernet User Network Interface (UNI) and Ethernet mobile backhaul. The features enhance performance awareness, facilitate troubleshooting, and simplify service turn-up and restoration. “Dying gasp” for power indicators and four external alarm inputs also detect changes in remote sites, giving service providers additional tools to manage the health of network elements.

Universal customer premises equipment

With all interfaces built in, this platform is versatile and can address many deployment scenarios, including Gigabit Ethernet and 10 Gigabit Ethernet deployments. The licensing mechanism in ASR-920-12SZ-A/ASR-920-12SZD model allows additional 10 Gigabit Ethernet interfaces to be activated as required for a particular deployment, so service providers can customize the configuration of the device and pay only when their services grow.

Software

Cisco ASR 920 routers are supported in Cisco IOS XE Software, which is a modular operating system. This software is designed to provide modular packaging, feature velocity, and powerful resiliency. For more information on the supported features and software capabilities, see the Cisco IOS XE Software for Cisco ASR 920 Series Aggregation Services Router data sheet.

Network management

Cisco ASR 920 routers are supported in Cisco Prime for EPN architectures. The Cisco Prime end-to-end network management solution drastically simplifies the design, provisioning, and management of carrier-grade networks. It is a comprehensive solution that centralizes and automates service design, fulfillment, assurance, and performance analysis to help service providers and enterprises lower their costs while meeting high customer expectations.

For the complete list of optics supported on the Cisco ASR920 Series, refer to the following link: https://www.cisco.com/c/dam/en/us/td/docs/routers/asr920/compatibility/matrix/Optics-Matrix-ASR920.pdf.

Product specifications

Tables 1 through 3 list the product, power, and environmental specifications for the Cisco ASR 920 Class B Timing Compliance Routers.

Table 1.       Cisco ASR 920 Class B timing compliance series system specifications

Table 2.       Power specifications

Table 3.       Environmental specifications

Table 4.       Safety and compliance

Ordering information

Table 5.       Ordering information