Description
Cisco ASR-920-12CZ-A Router
The Cisco ASR-920-12CZ-A Router is a purpose-built aggregation service router designed to deliver carrier-grade performance in challenging environments. Engineered to support converged access for both wireline and wireless services, this device blends high-throughput capability with energy efficiency and a compact footprint. It is ideal for mobile backhaul deployments, edge aggregation, and service-delivery nodes where reliability, scale, and rugged operation matter. In today’s network environments—where traffic from mobile devices, enterprise VPNs, and fixed broadband converges—the ASR-920 family stands out for its ability to provide robust throughput, flexible interfaces, and feature-rich software while maintaining low power consumption and a small form factor. This combination makes it a smart choice for service providers seeking to extend their networks closer to the subscriber, reduce latency, and simplify operations without sacrificing performance or resilience.
- Converged access platform for wireline and wireless services — The ASR-920-12CZ-A is built to carry diverse traffic streams over a unified platform. It supports a range of service rails and software features that enable the delivery of voice, video, data, and mobile backhaul within a single, cohesive edge router. Operators can simplify their network topology by converging access, aggregation, and edge routing into one device, reducing complexity, space, and energy costs while accelerating service rollouts and new revenue streams.
- High throughput for mobile backhaul and edge aggregation — Designed to handle the demanding data rates associated with mobile and fixed-wireless backhaul, this router provides sustained performance across aggregated links. It enables rapid provisioning of new services, scalable bandwidth allocation, and efficient handling of bursty traffic with quality-of-service controls that preserve user experience for latency-sensitive applications like real-time voice and mobile video.
- Rugged, temperature-hardened design for harsh environments — The ASR-920-12CZ-A is built to endure demanding outdoor and indoor telecom environments. Its temperature-hardened chassis and robust engineering deliver reliability in cabinets, remote sites, and data centers with varying ambient conditions. This durability translates into fewer field service visits, lower total cost of ownership, and consistent performance under peak load conditions.
- Compact form factor and low power consumption — As a small form factor router with energy-conscious design, the ASR-920-12CZ-A fits comfortably in space-constrained cabinets or remote edge locations. The low-power approach reduces operating expenses and cooling requirements, enabling more efficient deployments even in heat- and power-constrained sites. Operators gain flexibility to position the router closer to subscribers without compromising energy efficiency or thermal margins.
- Flexible interfaces and service enablement — The platform supports a range of interface types and service-ready features, enabling operators to tailor the router to specific network needs. From IP/MPLS routing to VPN termination, QoS policies, and security safeguards, the ASR-920-12CZ-A can power a diverse set of services with reliable performance. The modular design and software-defined capabilities help teams deliver new services quickly while maintaining consistent policy enforcement and customer-grade SLAs.
Technical Details of Cisco ASR-920-12CZ-A Router
- Technical specifications are not included in the provided product data. Exact details (such as hardware configuration, port counts, throughput, and supported features) require reference to UPC/SKU-specific specification sheets from official catalogs or vendor portals. Please consult the vendor’s catalog or Cisco’s official product pages for the precise specifications tailored to your SKU.
How to install Cisco ASR-920-12CZ-A Router
Installing the Cisco ASR-920-12CZ-A involves preparing the deployment site, configuring basic management access, and enabling the routing and service features needed for your network. Follow these general steps to deploy with confidence, while aligning with your organization’s change-management practices.
- Plan the installation location: select a suitable rack space or cabinet, ensuring adequate airflow, clearance for cable routing, and access to power and management networks. Verify environmental conditions meet the device’s recommendations for temperature, humidity, and dust control.
- Mount the router securely in a standard 19-inch rack if rack-mount installation is chosen. Use appropriate hardware to anchor the chassis and ensure stability under typical network conditions and vibrations.
- Connect power supplies and verify proper power sequencing. Ensure redundant power options are configured if available, and check that the device boots to a healthy state with all fans operating within normal ranges.
- Attach network interfaces corresponding to your deployment plan. This may include Ethernet, fiber, or other service interfaces. Route and bridge policies should be prepared in advance to minimize post-installation rework and service outages.
- Establish a management connection: connect a console cable from your management workstation to the router’s console port for initial setup. Alternatively, secure out-of-band management access if supported by your network policy.
- Perform initial configuration: set a secure administrative password, define a management IP address on the out-of-band or control plane network, and enable basic routing services. Create a minimal yet robust baseline configuration that allows you to verify reachability, perform basic ping/trace tests, and confirm that interfaces are up.
- Configure essential services and security: apply QoS policies, access control lists, VPN or IPsec settings if required, and any firewall or filtering rules. Prepare service templates or policy maps for mobile backhaul, IPSec tunnels, or MPLS label-switch routes as dictated by your network design.
- Validate the deployment: bring up test traffic to verify data-plane connectivity, measure latency and jitter as appropriate, and ensure that backhaul services are correctly integrated with the core network. Use monitoring tools to confirm CPU, memory, and interface utilization remain within expected ranges during initial traffic.
- Document and back up the configuration: save the running configuration to startup, export a backup copy if your process requires, and record interface mappings, IP addressing, and policy configurations for future maintenance and troubleshooting.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the Cisco ASR-920-12CZ-A Router used for? It is a temperature-hardened, high-throughput aggregation router designed to deliver converged access for both wireline and wireless services. It is well suited for mobile backhaul, edge aggregation, and service-delivery nodes where reliability, performance, and compact form factor matter.
- What makes the ASR-920-12CZ-A unique? Its blend of a rugged, small-footprint platform with carrier-grade features—such as flexible service interfaces, scalable throughput, energy-efficient operation, and software capabilities that support QoS, security, and VPN functionality—sets it apart for edge deployments in telecom networks.
- Is this router suitable for mobile backhaul deployments? Yes. The design and feature set emphasize mobile backhaul readiness, enabling efficient aggregation of mobile traffic with strong performance, reliability, and management capabilities at the network edge.
- How should I approach installation? Start with site planning and environmental checks, then perform secure management access, configure basic network settings, enable required services, and validate connectivity with test traffic. Maintain documentation and implement proper backup configurations for ongoing operations.
- Where can I find official specifications? For exact technical specifications, port configurations, and supported features, refer to Cisco’s official product pages or the vendor catalog associated with your UPC/SKU. The provided data here does not include the full spec sheet.
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