Cisco ASR 9000 Series: A9K-2X100GE-SE – High-Performance 100G Ethernet Line Card

Product Overview

The Cisco A9K-2X100GE-SE is a dual-port 100 Gigabit Ethernet line card designed for the Cisco ASR 9000 Series routers. This high-performance module delivers terabit-scale routing capacity for service provider core networks, cloud interconnects, and 5G transport. Optimized for high-density 100G deployments, it combines ultra-low latency forwarding with carrier-class reliability to meet the demands of modern IP/MPLS networks.

Key Features & Specifications

Hardware & Performance

• Port Configuration:

• 2x 100G QSFP28 ports (hot-swappable, supporting SR4/LR4/ER4 optics)

• Breakout capable to 4x25G or 4x10G per port

• 1.6 Tbps forwarding capacity per slot

• Up to 12.8 Tbps system capacity (in 18-slot chassis)

• Performance Metrics:

• 1.2 Bpps (billion packets per second)

• Sub-5μs latency (cut-through switching)

• 400ms deep buffers per port for traffic bursts

• MACsec-256 encryption with full line-rate performance

Software & Capabilities

• Cisco IOS XR (modular, self-healing operating system)

• Advanced Segment Routing (SR-MPLS, SRv6)

• Carrier Ethernet (MEF 3.1 compliant)

• Hierarchical QoS with 16 queues per port

• Advanced telemetry (NetFlow, IPFIX, gRPC)

• Precision timing (1588v2 PTP, SyncE)

• EVPN/VXLAN support for data center interconnect

Reliability & Scalability

• Hitless In-Service Software Upgrade (ISSU)

• Non-stop forwarding (NSF) with sub-second failover

• Redundant power domains with 90% efficiency

• Supports all ASR 9000 chassis (6/10/18-slot)

• Front-to-back airflow for optimized cooling

Use Cases

✔ Service Provider Core: High-capacity 100G IP/MPLS backbone
✔ 5G Transport: Xhaul connectivity with ultra-low latency
✔ Cloud Interconnect: Hyperscale data center peering
✔ Content Delivery Networks: 100G video distribution
✔ Financial Networks: Low-latency trading connectivity

Next-Generation Successor: A9K-4X400GE-SE (Projected 2026 Release)

Evolutionary Improvements

Strategic Advantages of the Next-Gen Model

1. 400G Readiness: Quadruple the port speed in same form factor

2. Breakout Flexibility: Supports 4x100G, 8x50G, or 16x25G configurations

3. AI-Optimized: Machine learning-based traffic engineering

4. Sustainable Design: 40% lower power per bit

5. Cloud-Native: gRPC/NETCONF/YANG programmability

Migration Recommendations

1. Current Deployments: A9K-2X100GE-SE remains ideal for 100G networks

2. Future-Proofing: A9K-4X400GE-SE for 400G migration paths

3. Optical Considerations:

• OS2 single-mode fiber required for 400G LR8

• Coherent optics support for long-haul 400G

4. Financial Planning:

• 35% higher CAPEX but 50% lower OPEX over 5 years

• 2-year ROI through improved spectral efficiency

Conclusion

The A9K-2X100GE-SE delivers carrier-class 100G performance, while the A9K-4X400GE-SE represents the next leap in core routing with:

• 8x total capacity

• 400G-ready interfaces

• AI-driven automation

• Quantum-safe security

• Industry-leading 95% power efficiency

Alternative Title Concepts

1. "From 100G to 400G: Cisco's Terabit Routing Revolution"

2. "The AI-Optimized Core Router: 6.4Tbps per Slot"

3. "Future-Ready Core Networking: Where 400G Meets AI"

4. "Sustainable Terabit Routing: Powering the 5G Era"