Cisco ASR1013 vs ASR1001-X: High-End vs Compact Aggregation Router Showdown

When selecting between Cisco's ASR1013 (high-end aggregation router) and ASR1001-X (compact service provider router), network architects must carefully evaluate performance, scalability, and operational requirements. This detailed comparison provides an original analysis of their technical capabilities, deployment scenarios, and economic considerations.

Technical Specifications Comparison

The ASR1013 demonstrates 3-4x greater performance metrics, positioning it as Cisco's premium aggregation solution compared to the more compact ASR1001-X.

Functional Capabilities Analysis

1. Performance Benchmarks

• Routing Performance:

• ASR1013: 45 million pps

• ASR1001-X: 12 million pps

• Protocol Handling:

• Full Internet routing tables

• Advanced QoS policies

• Segment routing

• 4x BGP routing table capacity

• 8x MPLS label stack depth

• 16x VRF instances

• ASR1013 advantages:

• Shared capabilities:

2. Advanced Feature Support

Shared Capabilities:

• Cisco IOS-XE operating system

• Full MPLS/VPLS support

• EVPN/VXLAN implementation

• BGP FlowSpec

ASR1013 Exclusives:

• Hardware-based telemetry

• 400G readiness

• Cross-chassis redundancy

• Advanced DDoS mitigation

Physical Design Comparison

Chassis Architecture:

• ASR1013:

• 6RU carrier-grade chassis

• Dual route processors

• N+N power redundancy

• Front/rear service access

• ASR1001-X:

• 2RU compact design

• Single route processor

• N+1 power redundancy

• Front-access only

Environmental Specifications:

• Operating temperature:

• Both: 0 to 40°C (precision cooling)

• Physical dimensions:

• ASR1013: 6RU, 24" deep

• ASR1001-X: 2RU, 17.5" deep

• Weight:

• ASR1013: 85 lbs (fully loaded)

• ASR1001-X: 35 lbs

User Experience Evaluation

Administration & Management:

• Both support:

• Cisco DNA Center

• Model-driven telemetry

• REST API access

Operational Differences:

• ASR1013 Advantages:

• Carrier-grade analytics

• Hardware-based monitoring

• Advanced troubleshooting

• ASR1001-X Strengths:

• Faster deployment

• Lower administrative overhead

• Simplified maintenance

Configuration Complexity:

• ASR1013 requires:

• Specialized training

• Detailed capacity planning

• ASR1001-X offers:

• Wizard-driven setup

• Pre-configured templates

Pricing & Total Cost Analysis

Acquisition Costs:

• ASR1001-X: 35,000−45,000

• ASR1013: 120,000−150,000

Operational Expenditures:

• Power consumption difference: ~$1,500/year

• Rack space requirements:

• ASR1013 needs 3x more space

• Cooling considerations:

• ASR1013 requires 2.8x more cooling

Five-Year TCO Considerations:

• ASR1013 justified for:

• Service provider core

• Large-scale aggregation

• Mission-critical applications

• ASR1001-X economical for:

• Medium aggregation points

• Distributed POPs

• Regional hubs

Power Efficiency Metrics

Power Specifications:

• Input options:

• Both support AC/DC power

• ASR1013 offers N+N redundancy

• Energy monitoring:

• Both provide detailed metrics

Efficiency Comparison:

• Performance per watt:

• ASR1013: 188 Mbps/W

• ASR1001-X: 133 Mbps/W

• Idle power draw:

• ASR1013: 450W

• ASR1001-X: 150W

Compatibility & Ecosystem Integration

Third-Party Interoperability:

• Both support:

• Standard SNMP monitoring

• NETCONF/YANG models

• Syslog reporting

ASR1013 Enhanced Integration:

• 400G ecosystem support

• Advanced OSS/BSS integration

• Carrier-grade telemetry

Module Support:

• ASR1013 accommodates:

• 200G interfaces

• Advanced encryption

• Service modules

• ASR1001-X limited to:

• 100G interfaces

• Basic service cards

Software Support & Lifecycle

Current Software Features:

• ASR1013 receives:

• Carrier-grade enhancements

• Advanced telemetry

• Cloud-scale networking

• ASR1001-X gets:

• Core routing features

• Basic telemetry

• Standard security

Security Updates:

• Both receive:

• Regular vulnerability patches

• 7+ years of maintenance

• ASR1013 qualifies for:

• Extended security support

• Critical infrastructure updates

Future Roadmap:

• ASR1013 positioned for:

• 800G readiness

• AI-driven networking

• Enhanced segment routing

• ASR1001-X focuses on:

• 200G capabilities

• Basic cloud integration

• Security essentials

Decision Framework

Select ASR1001-X When:
✔ Medium-scale aggregation needed
✔ Budget under $50,000 required
✔ Space-constrained environments
✔ Regional POP deployments

Choose ASR1013 When:
✔ Operating at network core
✔ Supporting large-scale services
✔ Requiring future scalability
✔ Can justify 3-4x price premium

Key Selection Criteria:

1. Network role (core vs regional)

2. Performance and scale requirements

3. Growth projections

4. Available infrastructure budget

The ASR1013 serves as Cisco's flagship aggregation router, while the ASR1001-X provides a more compact alternative for medium-scale deployments. These solutions share common DNA but differ significantly in their capacity and operational capabilities.

Implementation Tip: Conduct thorough traffic analysis before selection—the performance difference becomes most apparent during peak traffic conditions or when implementing advanced services like segment routing. Consider engaging Cisco's Advanced Services team for proper sizing guidance when evaluating the ASR1013 for critical core deployments.