Cisco NIM-16A Module
- Global Price List Information (GPL)
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Category: Cisco 4000 Series ProductsSubcategory: Cisco 4000 Series Options
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Model: NIM-16A
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Description: 16 Channel Async serial interface for ISR4000 series router
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Price: 2,412.00 USDLast Update: 2021-08-09
- End-of-Sale and End-of-Life Information (EOL/EOS)
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The Cisco 4000 Series Integrated Services Routers (ISRs) are designed to support high-density terminal server functionality through specialized asynchronous interface modules. These modules are essential for network operators who require out-of-band management of console ports, enabling them to access and manage remote devices from a centralized location. By integrating these modules into the router infrastructure, organizations can significantly enhance their ability to maintain and monitor network equipment across various branch locations.
It is important to note that these modules are strictly intended for terminal server applications. They do not support Serial Line Internet Protocol (SLIP) or Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP), nor do they provide asynchronous routing or data encapsulation features. The system is built to offer a reliable, high-capacity solution for console management, allowing for up to 200 terminal server connections on a single platform, which represents a notable increase in capacity compared to previous generations of Cisco ISR technology.
Product overview
Cisco offers three primary asynchronous interface modules for the 4000 Series ISRs, categorized by their port density and form factor. These include the NIM-16A, which provides 16 ports, and the NIM-24A, which offers 24 ports; both are Network Interface Modules (NIMs). For higher density requirements, the SM-X-64A Service Module provides 64 ports. These modules utilize standard RS-232 serial connections to facilitate communication with network devices.
The deployment of these modules depends on the specific ISR platform and the availability of appropriate slots. While the NIM-16A and NIM-24A are compatible with all 4000 Series ISR platforms, the high-density SM-X-64A is restricted to platforms equipped with an SM-X slot. By strategically combining these modules, network administrators can scale their terminal server capabilities to meet the specific needs of their branch office environments, ensuring robust and flexible access to console ports across the network.
Features and benefits
- High-Density Connectivity: Supports up to 200 terminal server connections on a single platform, providing extensive management reach.
- Out-of-Band Management: Enables full console access to remote network devices from a central location, simplifying troubleshooting and maintenance.
- Flexible Form Factors: Available in both NIM and SM-X formats to accommodate different hardware configurations and slot availability.
- Backward Compatibility: Supports legacy "Octal" cables (CAB-HD8-ASYNC), allowing for easier integration with existing cabling infrastructure.
- Optimized Cabling: Offers the CAB-ASYNC-8 cable option, which features a slimmer housing designed to fit the compact connector spacing on high-density modules.
- Broad Platform Support: Compatible across the Cisco 4000 Series ISR family, including models like the 4221, 4321, 4331, 4351, 4431, and 4451.
- Standardized Performance: Recommended for a 9600 baud connection rate, ensuring stable and reliable communication for terminal server sessions.
- Regulatory Compliance: Meets international standards for safety, immunity, and emissions, ensuring reliable operation in diverse global environments.
Product overview
Asynchronous interface modules provide high-density terminal server functionality to Cisco 4000 Series Integrated Services Routers (ISRs). Up to 200 terminal server connections can be supported on a single platform—eight more than are supported on the Cisco ISR G2.
Asynchronous interface modules are offered as both a Network Interface Module (NIM) and a high-density Service Module (SM) (Figure 1).
Table 1 lists the asynchronous NIM and SM SKUs.
Table 1.Cisco asynchronous interface modules for 4000 Series ISRs
|
SKU |
Description |
Supported interface |
|
NIM-16A |
16-Port Async Serial NIM |
RS-232 |
|
NIM-24A |
24-Port Async Serial NIM |
RS-232 |
|
SM-X-64A |
64-Port Async Serial SM |
RS-232 |
Applications
These modules provide highly flexible connections that allow access to EIA-232 ports across a LAN or WAN.
The asynchronous interface modules for the 4000 Series ISRs are specifically designed for terminal server use. This capability allows for out-of-band management of console ports, giving the network operator full console access to a network of remote devices from a central location.
The asynchronous interface modules for the Cisco 4000 Series ISRs do not support Serial Line Internet Protocol (SLIP) or Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP). Asynchronous routing and data encapsulation features are thus not supported.
Platform support
The NIM-16A and NIM-24A are supported in the NIM slots of all 4000 Series ISR platforms, whereas the SM-X-64A is supported only on 4000 Series platforms with an SM-X slot.
Table 2 lists the platforms that support each asynchronous interface module type.
Table 2.Platform support
|
Module |
Supporting platforms |
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NIM-16A |
Cisco 4221, 4321, 4331, 4351, 4431, 4451 |
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NIM-24A |
Cisco 4221, 4321, 4331, 4351, 4431, 4451 |
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SM-X-64A |
Cisco 4331, 4351, 4451 |
The number of asynchronous interface modules supported on each platform is governed only by the number of available slots. A maximum terminal server port count of 200 is achieved in the 4351 and 4451 ISRs by combining three NIM-24A modules with two SM-X-64A modules.
Table 3 lists the maximum number of asynchronous interface modules per platform.
Table 3.Maximum number of asynchronous interface modules per ISR
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Platform |
NIM-16A |
NIM-24A |
Maximum NIMs |
Maximum |
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Cisco 4221, 4321 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
Not supported |
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Cisco 4331 |
2 (3*) |
2 (3*) |
2 (3*) |
1 |
|
Cisco 4351, 4451 |
3 (5*) |
3 (5*) |
3 (5*) |
2 |
|
Cisco 4431 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
Not supported |
Software requirements
Table 4 lists the minimum Cisco IOS Software release required for each module.
Table 4.Minimum Cisco IOS Software release
|
Module |
Minimum Cisco IOS Software release |
Cisco IOS XE feature set |
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NIM-16A |
16.3.1 |
IP Base and up |
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NIM-24A |
16.3.1 |
IP Base and up |
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SM-X-64A |
16.6.1 |
IP Base and up |
Connectors and cabling
Asynchronous interface modules are connected to RS-232 ports on network devices with what is commonly called an “Octal cable.” An Octal cable is an 8-port asynchronous cable consisting of an 8-port high-density connector fanning out into eight individual cables, each with an RJ-45 connector. Optional RJ-45- to DB-25 modular adapters are required when a conversion from RJ-45 to DB-25 is needed.
The 8-port connector is identical to the connector type used on the previous ISR platforms, and the asynchronous interface modules will thus support the use of the previous-generation asynchronous cable type CAB-HD8-ASYNC.
Table 5 lists the high-density 8-port EIA-232 asynchronous cables supported on the asynchronous interface modules.
Table 5.Cables supported on the asynchronous interface modules
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Cable SKU |
Description |
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CAB-HD8-ASYNC |
Old generation for ISR G1 and G2 |
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CAB-ASYNC-8 |
New generation; same connector and pin-out as CAB-HD8-ASYNC, but with slimmer housing |
Due to the compact connector placement on the NIM-24A, only the new cable type CAB-ASYNC-8 with slimmer housing is supported in the lower and middle sockets. See Table 6.
Table 6 lists the cables supported by each module.
Table 6.Cables supported by modules
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NIM-16A |
NIM-24A |
SM-X-64A |
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|
|
|
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Upper socket: CAB-HD8-ASYNC or CAB-ASYNC-8 |
Upper socket: CAB-ASYNC-8 only |
Upper sockets: CAB-HD8-ASYNC or CAB-ASYNC-8 |
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– |
Middle socket: CAB-ASYNC-8 only |
– |
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Lower socket: CAB-HD8-ASYNC or CAB-ASYNC-8 |
Lower socket: CAB-HD8-ASYNC or CAB-ASYNC-8 |
Lower sockets: CAB-HD8-ASYNC or CAB-ASYNC-8 |
Connection rate
9600 baud is the generally recommended connection rate for all terminal server modules. Higher connection rates can be used for a low number of simultaneous connections.
Table 7 lists the recommended connection rate per module type.
Table 7.Recommended connection rates
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Baud rate |
NIM-16A and NIM-24A |
SM-X-64A |
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9600 |
Recommended |
Recommended |
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115200 |
Use only with a low number of simultaneous connections |
Use only with a low number of simultaneous connections |
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230400 |
Not recommended |
Not recommended |
Supported command-line interface
When an asynchronous interface module is inserted into the router, Cisco IOS Software will automatically create an asynchronous interface based on the slot number. However, since only terminal server service is supported, any eventual configuration of network protocols will have no effect.
Common specifications
The specifications listed here are common to all serial and asynchronous modules.
Agency approvals:
●CAN/CSA 22.2 No. 60950-1-07, Second Edition (Canada)
●EN 60950-1: 2006 (European Union)
●UL 60950-1 (United States)
●IEC 60950-1: 2005 (international)
Immunity:
●CISPR24
●EN 300386
●EN55024
●KN35
●TCVN 7317
Emissions:
●FCC Part 15 Class A
●ICES-003 Class A
●EN55032 Class A
●CISPR32 Class A
●AS/NZS CISPR32
●VCCI Class A
●EN 300386
●EN61000-3-3
●EN61000-3-2
●KN 32: 2015
●TCVN 7189
Physical specifications:
●Single-wide NIM and SM-X modules, no slot restrictions
●Dimensions (NIM modules) (H x W x D): 1.25 x 3.5 x 6.7 in. / 32 x 89 x 172 mm
●Dimensions (SM-X-64A) (H x W x D): 1.58 x 8.1 x 9.2 in. / 40 x 206 x 233 mm
Environmental specifications:
●Operating temperature: 32° to 104°F (0° to 40°C)
●Storage temperature: -4° to 149°F (-20° to 65°C)
●Relative humidity: 10 to 90 percent, noncondensing
For more information
For more information about Cisco Services, visit:
https://www.cisco.com/go/services
For more information about Cisco 4000 Series ISRs, visit:
| Model | NIM-16A |
| Category | Cisco 4000 Series Products |
| Subcategory | Cisco 4000 Series Options |
| Description | 16 Channel Async serial interface for ISR4000 series router |
| Price | 2,412.00 USD |
| Last Update | 2021-08-09 |