Cisco ASR 1000 Ethernet Line Card, 100 Gb Modular Interface Processor

The Cisco ASR 1000 Ethernet Line Card, a 100 Gb Modular Interface Processor, represents a pinnacle of reliability and performance for modern networks. Engineered to meet the most demanding bandwidth requirements, this line card is purpose-built for data centers, service providers, and large enterprises that demand scalable, low-latency connectivity and robust service delivery. Designed to integrate seamlessly with the Cisco ASR 1000 Series Router platform, it delivers cutting-edge data-plane performance, flexible deployment options, and a comprehensive feature set that supports secure, scalable, and highly available networks.

• Exceptional bandwidth density and efficiency: This 100 Gb modular line card is optimized to handle high-throughput traffic loads with precision. It supports dense 100G interfaces that enable large-scale deployments, simplifying network architecture while delivering sustained line-rate performance across diverse workloads such as cloud services, video distribution, and large-scale data analytics. The result is improved application responsiveness and a better end-user experience across latency-sensitive services.
• Modular design for field agility: Built as a hot-swappable line-card solution within the Cisco ASR 1000 chassis family, it enables rapid capacity expansion and easier service upgrades without disruptive downtime. With modular interface processing, operators can scale their networks incrementally to align with growth, while preserving service continuity and reducing maintenance windows.
• Comprehensive feature set for advanced services: The line card supports Cisco IOS XE-based capabilities, including robust routing features, advanced QoS, traffic engineering, VPNs, MPLS, firewall and security integrations, IPv6, netflow data collection, and telemetry. This breadth of features allows operators to deploy secure, high-performance VPNs, segment traffic with precise quality of service, and implement scalable routing policies that adapt to evolving business needs.
• Reliability and high availability: Cisco’s engineering philosophy emphasizes resilience. The 100 Gb Modular Interface Processor is designed for redundant operation in mission-critical networks, with hot-swappable components and compatibility with redundant supervisor modules and power supplies in supported chassis configurations. This ensures continuous service delivery even during maintenance or component wear, contributing to a lower total cost of ownership over time.
• Operational visibility and easy management: Integrated with Cisco IOS XE, the line card provides advanced management and telemetry capabilities. Operators gain rich visibility into performance, health, and security events, enabling proactive troubleshooting, precise capacity planning, and faster mean time to repair (MTTR). Centralized policy enforcement, secure management interfaces, and automation-friendly features help streamline network operations and accelerate service provisioning.

Technical Details of Cisco ASR 1000 Ethernet Line Card

• Interface technology: 100 Gigabit Ethernet Modular Interface Processor for high-density 100G port support, enabling scalable data-plane performance for backbone and data-center interconnects.
• Deployment and compatibility: Designed for use within the Cisco ASR 1000 Series Router family, providing seamless integration with Cisco IOS XE-based features and ecosystem. Works alongside other line cards and control planes to deliver cohesive, scalable network services.
• Performance characteristics: Optimized for line-rate forwarding and low-latency processing to handle bandwidth-intensive applications, multimedia streams, and cloud workloads without packet loss under typical enterprise and service-provider traffic patterns.
• Availability features: Hot-swappable design with support for redundant hardware components in compatible chassis configurations, contributing to continuous service uptime and simplified maintenance operations.
• Feature richness: Supports advanced routing, Quality of Service (QoS), MPLS, VPN services, security integrations, IPv6 readiness, and telemetry/monitoring to enable comprehensive network policy, security posture, and performance analytics.
• Management and telemetry: IOS XE-based management, scalable policy deployment, and telemetry data collection to inform capacity planning, performance tuning, and proactive fault management.

How to install Cisco ASR 1000 Ethernet Line Card

Installing a Cisco ASR 1000 Ethernet Line Card is a straightforward process designed to minimize downtime and ensure proper alignment with the chassis’ backplane. Begin by validating compatibility with your existing Cisco ASR 1000 router chassis and confirming that power and cooling are sufficient for the added module. Power down procedures should follow your organization’s change-control practices, and if you’re performing on a production system, coordinate with stakeholders to schedule a maintenance window.

Steps to install the line card:

• Power down and unplug the router if required by your maintenance protocol, and ensure anti-static precautions are followed.
• Remove the chassis cover or access panel to reach the expansion slots. Locate the target slot that accommodates the 100 Gb Modular Interface Processor line card.
• Release any retention mechanisms or brackets securing the current slot module. Carefully align the line card with the slot’s connectors, ensuring that the connector pins are properly oriented to avoid damage.
• Gently insert the line card into the slot, pressing evenly until the card seats fully and you hear or feel a secure click. Secure the module with the appropriate mounting hardware or latches as required by your chassis.
• Reconnect any cables or interface modules that need to be associated with the line card, then replace the chassis cover or access panel. Reconnect power and boot the device if it was powered down.
• Once the system is online, verify that the line card is recognized by the router. Use the appropriate command set (for example, show inventory or show platform hardware) to confirm the line card’s presence and healthy state. Validate that interfaces are up and reachable and that system logs show no hardware fault indicators.
• Configure and test services: Apply the intended routing, QoS, MPLS, VPN, and security configurations. Validate performance with baseline throughput tests and monitor telemetry to ensure the line card delivers expected performance under real traffic conditions.

Frequently asked questions

• What is the primary use case for the Cisco ASR 1000 Ethernet Line Card, 100 Gb Modular Interface Processor?

  The line card is designed to provide high-density 100G connectivity for large-scale networks, including service providers, data centers, and enterprises that require scalable bandwidth, advanced routing features, and reliable service delivery for cloud, multimedia, and business-critical applications.

• Is this line card hot-swappable?

  Yes. The design supports hot-swapping in compatible Cisco ASR 1000 chassis configurations, enabling maintenance and capacity upgrades with minimal disruption to ongoing services.

• Can I deploy MPLS and VPN services with this card?

  Yes. The line card is compatible with Cisco IOS XE features that support MPLS, VPNs, QoS, and security integrations, enabling complex service architectures and secure connectivity across distributed networks.

• What kind of management features does it offer?

  It leverages IOS XE-based management, comprehensive telemetry, and policy-driven configuration to improve operational efficiency, visibility, and proactive fault management across the network.

• Does it work with other Cisco ASR 1000 line cards and modules?

  Yes. The line card is designed to integrate with the Cisco ASR 1000 Series ecosystem, allowing mixed deployments of different line cards and control-plane components to tailor performance and capacity to specific needs.

• What performance metrics should I expect?

  The line card delivers high-density 100 Gb interfaces with line-rate forwarding for typical data-center and service-provider workloads. Actual throughput depends on the overall router configuration, software version, and traffic mix, but it is engineered for predictable, scalable performance across diverse scenarios.

• Are there any considerations for power and cooling when adding this card?

  Yes. Adding a high-density line card can increase power and cooling demands. Ensure the chassis and power supply configuration meet the additional load, and verify that cooling capacity is available to maintain optimum operating temperatures for all components.