Cisco ASR 9000 Series: A9K-RSP880-SE – Next-Generation Route Switch Processor

Jun 11 , 2025 14

Cisco ASR 9000 Series: A9K-RSP880-SE – Next-Generation Route Switch Processor

Product Overview
The Cisco A9K-RSP880-SE represents the current flagship Route Switch Processor for the ASR 9000 series, delivering unprecedented performance for service provider edge and core networks. This fifth-generation RSP combines Cisco's Silicon One architecture with advanced software capabilities to power the most demanding routing scenarios.

Key Features & Specifications

• Processing Power: 16-core 3.2GHz CPU with 256GB DDR4 memory

• Switching Capacity: 8.8Tbps full duplex

• Forwarding Rate: 5.6B packets per second

• Storage: Dual 480GB SSDs in RAID-1 configuration

• Advanced Capabilities:

• Hardware-accelerated segment routing (SRv6)

• Full EVPN/VXLAN/NVGRE support

• 400G MACsec encryption at line rate

• Containerized services hosting

Use Cases

• 5G Core Networks: Ultra-low latency mobile packet core

• Internet Peering: High-density 400G edge routing

• Cloud Gateway: Hyperscale data center interconnect

• Network Slicing: End-to-end service isolation

Next-Generation Successor: A9K-RSP1T-SE (Expected 2025)

Evolutionary Improvements

Strategic Advantages of Next-Gen Model

1. AI-Native Architecture: On-board neural processors for predictive analytics

2. Quantum-Resistant Crypto: Post-quantum encryption standards support

3. 3D Memory Stacking: Enables massive routing table scalability

4. Photonic Integration: Optical I/O for reduced signal degradation

Migration Recommendations

1. Immediate Deployments: RSP880-SE remains ideal for current 400G networks

2. Future-Proof Planning: RSP1T-SE for planned 800G/1.6T deployments

3. Staged Transition: Leverage Cisco's Forward Compatibility Guarantee

Conclusion
The A9K-RSP880-SE sets the current benchmark for carrier-grade routing performance, while the upcoming RSP1T-SE model will address emerging requirements for terabit-scale networking. Network architects should evaluate their evolution path considering:

• Projected traffic growth curves

• New service introduction timelines

• Sustainability objectives

• Security compliance timelines

Alternative Title Option
"Cisco's Routing Evolution: From 8.8T to Terabit-Scale Processors"