Cisco Ncs 57C3 Network Convergence System Chassis Scale Fixed Ports 48X25G 4X100

The Cisco NCS 57C3 Network Convergence System Chassis is a purpose-built, modular platform engineered for service providers and large enterprises that demand scalable, reliable, and highly integrated networking. This chassis unifies core routing, edge access, and data-center interconnect services in a single, compact enclosure, delivering the efficiency and agility needed to meet today’s traffic growth and tomorrow’s innovations. With a fixed port configuration of 48x25G and 4x100G, the NCS 57C3 is designed to handle dense, multi-service networks while preserving headroom for future expansion. Built around Cisco’s trusted IOS XR software, the NCS 57C3 provides robust telemetry, deterministic performance, and proactive health monitoring that translate into measurable operational excellence. Operators gain a consolidated platform capable of hosting a growing portfolio of line cards and service blades, enabling flexible delivery of routing, switching, VPNs, and service assurance features—all from a single, centrally managed chassis.

• Modular, scalable architecture—Engineered to scale from core to metro to data-center edge, the NCS 57C3 supports a growing portfolio of line cards and service blades, enabling operators to tailor configurations to current needs while preserving a clear path for future expansion.
• High-density, flexible ports—Fixed 48x25G ports plus 4x100G ports deliver dense interface options to support evolving service requirements, enabling high-capacity data transport, rapid service deployment, and efficient aggregation.
• Carrier-grade resilience—Designed with high-availability in mind, it features redundant power supplies, hot-swappable components, and sophisticated failover mechanisms to maintain service continuity during maintenance or component failures.
• Telemetry-driven management—Cisco IOS XR brings telemetry, analytics, and service-assurance capabilities that provide deep visibility, deterministic performance, and proactive health monitoring for proactive network management.
• Unified management and automation—Seamless integration with Cisco’s ecosystem and standard APIs enables streamlined provisioning, orchestration, and policy-driven operations across large, distributed networks.

Technical Details of Cisco NCS 57C3 Network Convergence System Chassis

Technical details for the Cisco NCS 57C3 are configuration-specific and vary by SKU. Across common configurations, the NCS 57C3 offers a modular chassis design optimized for scale-out deployment in core, metro, and data-center edge environments. Redundant power options and hot-swappable cooling components support continuous operation in demanding network environments, helping operators maintain high availability and service continuity even during maintenance windows. The platform is designed to accommodate a range of line cards and service blades, enabling flexible service delivery that spans routing, switching, VPNs, and service assurance features. The software environment is built around Cisco IOS XR, enriched with telemetry, analytics, and security capabilities designed for large-scale networks. Management and automation interfaces are compatible with Cisco management tools and standard APIs, ensuring seamless integration with existing network operations workflows and orchestration frameworks.

How to install Cisco NCS 57C3

• Plan and prepare—Confirm rack space, power availability, cooling capacity, and network fabric requirements. Verify that you have the appropriate SKU and line cards for your deployment, and schedule downtime as needed for a smooth installation.
• Rack and physically mount—Install the chassis in a standard 19-inch rack, ensuring stable mounting and proper clearance for access to hot-swappable components. Connect the chassis to redundant power sources and verify grounding per data-center best practices.
• Install cooling and power—Attach hot-swappable power supplies (as configured) and ensure cooling fans are secured and functioning. Check firmware baselines and prepare for a staged boot sequence.
• Install line cards and service blades—Insert the supported line cards and service blades into the modular chassis according to the vendor’s service matrix. Confirm physical connections and reseat modules if necessary to ensure proper operation.
• Initial software and configuration—Power up the chassis and load the Cisco IOS XR image appropriate for your SKU. Establish initial management connectivity (console, out-of-band, or management network), reach the device via the management interface, and apply baseline configurations. Use Cisco’s management tools and APIs to onboard the device, configure telemetries, and validate operational status with health checks and feature verifications.
• Validation and deployment—Run through a structured test plan to validate routing, switching, VPN, and service-automation features. Verify high availability behavior through simulated failover tests, confirm 10/40/100 Gbps performance metrics, and integrate with monitoring systems for real-time telemetry and alerting.

Frequently asked questions

• What is the Cisco NCS 57C3 Network Convergence System Chassis?—A modular, scalable chassis designed for service providers and large enterprises to consolidate routing, switching, and service intelligence in a single platform with high availability and integrated management.
• What ports does it offer?—The chassis features fixed ports including 48x25G and 4x100G, providing dense, high-speed connectivity suitable for core, metro, and data-center interconnect workloads.
• What software runs on the NCS 57C3?—Cisco IOS XR forms the software backbone, delivering telemetry, analytics, security, and service-assurance capabilities designed for large-scale networks.
• How does it ensure high availability?—Redundant power options, hot-swappable cooling components, and sophisticated failover mechanisms help maintain service continuity during maintenance or component failures.
• How is management and automation handled?—Management and automation are enabled through Cisco’s ecosystem with standard APIs and integrations, allowing streamlined provisioning, orchestration, and policy-driven operations across distributed networks.