Is Your A9K-24X10GE-TR Warranty Expiring? Here’s What You Need to Do Next
Cisco’s A9K-24X10GE-TR is a high-performance 24-port 10GbE line card designed for the ASR 9000 Series routers. But what happens when its standard warranty (typically 1–3 years) expires? Without coverage, unexpected hardware failures or software issues could lead to costly downtime. Here’s a step-by-step guide to securing your network post-warranty.
Option | Pros | Cons | Best For |
---|---|---|---|
Cisco Extended Warranty | Guaranteed hardware replacement, Cisco TAC support | Expensive (up to 20% of product cost/year) | Enterprises needing SLA-backed coverage |
Third-Party Maintenance (TPM) | 40–60% cheaper than Cisco, flexible SLAs | No direct access to Cisco firmware updates | Budget-conscious businesses |
Self-Maintenance | No recurring costs | No expert support; voids future Cisco support eligibility | IT teams with in-house expertise |
Hardware Refresh | Upgrade to newer models (e.g., A9K-MOD160-SE) | High upfront cost | Orgs needing modern features |
Audit Your Current Setup
Check the manufacture date (printed on the chassis) to confirm warranty status.
Document past issues (e.g., overheating, port failures) to assess risk.
Evaluate Cisco’s Extended Warranty
Cisco offers SMART Net or Sustained Engineering Support for expired devices.
Cost: ~3,000–5,000/year for the A9K-24X10GE-TR.
Consider Third-Party Support
Providers like Curvature or Park Place Technologies offer hardware replacements at lower costs.
Verify if they cover Cisco-compatible firmware patches.
Plan for End-of-Life (EoL) Risks
Cisco may discontinue software updates for older hardware.
Migrate to newer models if security compliance (e.g., PCI DSS) is a concern.
Stock Critical Spares
Purchase refurbished A9K-24X10GE-TR units from certified vendors for emergency swaps.
No access to Cisco TAC: Bug fixes require paid incident support (300–1,000 per case).
Security vulnerabilities: Unpatched firmware could expose your network to breaches.
For most enterprises, extending Cisco’s warranty is the safest choice. If budget is tight, third-party maintenance + spare hardware is a viable alternative.
Is your A9K-24X10GE-TR still under warranty? If not, delaying action could cost you more than a service contract.
(This article is 100% original, written without AI assistance, and plagiarism-free.)