Cisco ASR 9902 Chassis, 2RU — High-Performance Router for Carrier-Grade Networks

Discover the Cisco ASR 9902 Chassis, a member of the Cisco ASR 9000 Series, engineered to deliver blazing-fast throughput in a compact, 2RU form factor. This router is designed for service providers, large enterprises, and data centers that demand scalable, reliable, and manageable edge-to-core routing. The ASR 9902 delivers up to 800 Gbps nonblocking, full-duplex capacity, enabling predictable latency and consistent performance across multiple services and traffic patterns. Built to support dense, high-bandwidth environments, it embodies Cisco’s commitment to high availability, advanced security, and simplified operations in the world of carrier-grade networks. Whether deployed as a backbone aggregator, data center interconnect, or edge router, the ASR 9902 provides the performance and reliability needed to meet aggressive SLAs and evolving service requirements.

Operators benefit from a unified experience across the ASR 9000 family, because the ASR 9902 runs the same Cisco IOS XR software image used by other routers in the series. This common software foundation minimizes management complexity, accelerates provisioning, and enables consistent telemetry, analytics, and automation across the network. The 2RU chassis is engineered for dense deployments without sacrificing service flexibility or resilience. With a modular architecture, operators can tailor their hardware mix to match specific traffic profiles, scale bandwidth incrementally, and implement robust redundancy to protect mission-critical services. In short, the ASR 9902 combines the agility of software-defined networking with the stability and performance required for real-world carrier networks.

Operators gain insight with deep telemetry, automation-ready interfaces, and secure management capabilities. IOS XR-based devices support industry-standard management frameworks and APIs to streamline provisioning, monitoring, and troubleshooting across complex networks. The ASR 9902 is designed to integrate with existing network orchestration and management ecosystems, enabling faster service activation, dynamic scaling, and proactive maintenance. This translates into lower operational costs, reduced mean time to repair, and a more responsive network that can adapt to changing customer demands and traffic patterns without compromising reliability or security.

• Unmatched throughput in a compact 2RU chassis: up to 800 Gbps of nonblocking, full-duplex capacity supports high-bandwidth services and multi-terabit traffic loads with minimal latency.
• Scalable, modular design: supports modular line cards and efficient cooling and power options for growth, ideal for service providers, cloud networks, and large Enterprises needing future-proofing.
• Common OS XR environment: runs Cisco IOS XR, preserving a consistent Manageability, telemetry, and automation experience across the ASR 9000 Series for simplified operations and faster service deployment.
• High availability for critical services: features redundant components, hot-swappable line cards and control planes, and robust chassis design to minimize downtime during maintenance or upgrades.
• Designed for deployment in diverse environments: 2RU footprint suits data centers, carrier hotels, and remote POPs with reliable temperature margins and efficient power usage.

Technical Details of Cisco ASR 9902 Chassis

• Form factor: Two-Rack-Unit (2RU) chassis optimized for dense deployments in data centers and service provider PoPs.
• Throughput: Up to 800 Gbps of nonblocking, full-duplex capacity for high-traffic aggregation and backbone routing.
• Operating system: Cisco IOS XR software image, aligned with the ASR 9000 family for consistent configuration and management workflows.
• Scalability: Modular architecture supports diverse line cards and interconnect options to scale bandwidth and features as needs evolve.
• Reliability and availability: hot-swappable components and redundant subsystems designed to minimize downtime during maintenance or failures.
• Physical and environmental: engineered for rack integration, optimized cooling, and power efficiency within standard data center environments.

How to install Cisco ASR 9902 Chassis

• Plan the deployment: verify rack space, power availability, cooling capacity, and network topology to determine the required line cards and modules.
• Prepare the rack environment: ensure proper clearance, grounding, and air flow; mount the chassis securely using appropriate mounting rails and brackets.
• Install power and management connections: install redundant power supplies if available, connect to a stable power source, and configure management interfaces per Cisco guidelines.
• Install and configure modules: insert the desired line cards, supervisor modules, and any control plane components; verify seat alignment and safe insertion procedures.
• Power on and verify: boot the chassis, connect to the console or management network, verify IOS XR initiation, and validate basic device health and system logs before routing traffic.
• Initial configuration and monitoring: apply baseline configurations, enable monitoring and telemetry, and integrate with existing network management systems to observe performance metrics and alerts.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: What is the maximum throughput of the Cisco ASR 9902 Chassis?
• A: Up to 800 Gbps of nonblocking, full-duplex capacity, enabling high-bandwidth services and scalable backbone routing.
• Q: What operating system does the ASR 9902 run?
• A: Cisco IOS XR, providing a unified, feature-rich, and scalable software environment across the ASR 9000 family.
• Q: What is the physical form factor?
• A: A 2RU chassis designed to maximize density while fitting into standard data center racks and carrier environments.
• Q: Is the ASR 9902 suitable for service providers and data centers?
• A: Yes. It is built for high-availability, scalable routing needed in core, edge, and data center networks.
• Q: Does the ASR 9902 support redundancy and hot-swappable components?
• A: Yes. The chassis supports redundant power supplies and hot-swappable modules to minimize downtime during maintenance or upgrades.