In the previous articles, we talked about the new Cisco 4000 Series ISR, such as Benefits You Get from Migrating to Cisco 4000 Series ISR, Ordering Guide-Optional Items, IOS Software Images and Licenses for the Cisco 4000 Series ISR and Cisco 4400 and 4300 Series Routers/Cisco 4000 Router Family Ordering Guide. Now Cisco announced the new Gigabit Ethernet WAN Modules for the Cisco 4000 Series ISR. What are they used for and how to expand the function of Cisco 4000 ISR? Here we can refer to some main points that were released by Cisco.

Cisco Gigabit Ethernet WAN Modules bring high-density Small Form-Factor Pluggable (SFP) and copper (RJ-45) 1 Gigabit and 10 Gigabit Ethernet (GE) connectivity to the Cisco 4000 Series ISRs. The modules accelerate applications such as Ethernet WAN access, inter-VLAN routing, and high-speed connectivity to LAN switches and servers. The ports on these modules work as routed Layer 3 ports. Layer 2 switching between local ports on the module or between ports on the module and other ports within the router system is not supported. The port terminates Layer 2 trunks from externally connected switches, and Layer 2 trunk and VLAN information is not switched onto other ports in the system. The host router routes all traffic entering these modules.

Note: Cisco Gigabit Ethernet WAN Modules do not support Power over Ethernet (PoE).

Cisco offers four types of Ethernet WAN modules:

Cisco 1-Port Gigabit Ethernet WAN Network Interface Module (NIM-1GE-CU-SFP)

Cisco 2-Port Gigabit Ethernet WAN Network Interface Module (NIM-2GE-CU-SFP)

Cisco 6-Port High-Density Gigabit Ethernet WAN Service Module (SM-X-6X1G)

Cisco 4-Port High-Density Gigabit or 1-Port 10 Gigabit Ethernet WAN Service Module (SM-X-4X1G-1X10G)

Deployment Examples

Cisco Intelligent WAN. The Cisco Intelligent WAN (IWAN) solution enables customers to deploy new services faster regardless of transport model, whether it is a private WAN using a Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) offering, a common Internet connection, or hybrid WAN access consisting of both models. The Cisco IWAN solution furthermore allows organizations to realize significant cost benefits from using the common Internet as the underlying WAN infrastructure. Using the Cisco Integrated Services Router with Application Experience (ISR-AX) services, based on application, endpoint, and network conditions, you can dynamically route traffic over multiple WAN connections in order to deliver the best-quality experience.

The following figure demonstrates the use of the Cisco 1-Port 10 Gigabit Ethernet WAN Service Module as part of the Cisco IWAN solution. At the regional office, the Cisco 6-Port Gigabit Ethernet WAN Service Module aggregates the sub-rate Gigabit Ethernet WAN connections from different Internet service providers (ISPs). The remote branch-office routers connect to either one, or in some cases both, of those ISPs.

Cisco 6-Port Gigabit Ethernet Service Module as Part of Cisco IWAN Solution

Fiber and Copper Aggregation within Building and Intracampus

The Cisco 6-Port Gigabit Ethernet WAN Service Module provides great flexibility, eliminates the need for a separate switch, and increases network reliability. The combination of two service modules plus the 4 onboard ports can support up to 16 routed fiber ports in a single Cisco 4451-X chassis, adding superior scalability to intracampus networking connections.

Cisco 6-Port Gigabit Ethernet WAN Service Module for the Campus Network

It demonstrates the use of the Cisco 6-Port Gigabit Ethernet WAN Service Module in a campus LAN environment with the mix of copper and fiber cabling options.

Aggregation for Mobile Service Provider Picocell or Femtocell Network Deployment

The Cisco 4-Port Gigabit or 1-Port 10 Gigabit Ethernet WAN Service Modules provide fiber aggregation to links from multiple intermediate distribution frames (IDFs), again eliminating the need for a separate switch and reducing the number of devices to provision and manage.

Cisco 4-Port Gigabit or 1-Port 10 Gigabit Ethernet WAN Service Modules for Aggregation in Picocell and Femtocell Deployments

The Cisco Gigabit Ethernet WAN Service Modules are based on the technology of the onboard Gigabit Ethernet and SFP ports on the Cisco 4000 Series ISR. Feature support is therefore identical to that of the onboard ports.

The physical and environmental specifications, respectively, of the Cisco Gigabit Ethernet WAN Service Modules.

Physical Specifications

Environmental Specifications

	All models
Operating temperature	32 to 104°F (0 to 40°C)
Storage temperature	-38 to 150°F (-40 to 70°C)
Relative humidity	5 to 95%
Operating humidity	5 to 85%

Ordering information for the Cisco Gigabit Ethernet WAN Service Modules you can refer to the following table.

Part Number	Description
NIM-1GE-CU-SFP(=)	1-port Gigabit Ethernet, dual-mode GE/SFP, Network Interface Module
NIM-2GE-CU-SFP(=)	2-port Gigabit Ethernet, dual-mode GE/SFP, Network Interface Module
SM-X-6X1G(=)	6-port Gigabit Ethernet, dual-mode GE/SFP, SM-X Module
SM-X-4X1G-1X10G(=)	4-port Gigabit Ethernet, dual-mode GE/SFP or 1-port 10G SFP+, SM-X Module

Features and Capabilities

Cisco Intelligent WAN. Cisco 4000 platforms, together with Cisco UCS E-Series server modules, provide a flexible platform that can easily adapt to the changing application landscape. Use these routers to support all cloud applications on any device.

Cisco 4000 Series ISRs are designed to meet Gigabit forwarding performance needs while running the broadest set of network and application services on a single platform. They offer:

High-quality user experience: During peak loads, the multi-core CPU architecture running Cisco IOS-XE can enable resiliency by using separate control and data services planes.

Faster response to business and user needs: New pay-as-grow performance an services allows IT increase throughput and expand across a rich portfolio of on-demand network and application services with no truck rolls

A wide range of connectivity options: ISR 4000 supports integrated Gigabit Ethernet, T1/E1, T3/E3, PRI, xDSL, and more

Unified communications: Get comprehensive edge support for session border control, branch telephony survivability, TDM gateways, and more.

The 4000 Series simplifies:

Operations and management: Get IT automation for configuration, monitoring, and management through the Cisco Application Policy Infrastructure Controller (APIC) Enterprise Module and an open ecosystem of partners.

Branch infrastructure: Reduce branch footprint and power consumption with an all-in-one platform that brings together network, compute, and storage. Customers can choose optional integrated compute and storage with Cisco UCS E-Series Servers for hosting applications and services.

Meeting unplanned business requirements: Deploying 4000 Series ISRs allows you to expand and pay for products only as your needs grow. Customers can standardize on a single platform and add services and capacity without disruptions or truck rolls. 

SPECIFICATIONS AT A GLANCE

Hardware Features

Cisco IOS XE Operating System

1-rack-unit (RU) or 2RU form factor

Up to 2 Gbps of throughput

Up to 3 network interface module slots

Up to 2 service module slots

Up to 4 integrated 10/100/1000 Ethernet ports

Up to 8 CPU core integrated server modules

License Software Features

Cisco Application Experience (AX) includes Intelligent Path Control, WAN Optimization, and Intelligent Caching

Voice license includes CME, SRST, and CUBE

Security license includes firewall, intrusion prevention system (IPS), and VPN

Performance license increases platform throughput

Cisco ISR 4000 family offers encryption acceleration, voice- and video-capable architecture, application firewall, call processing, and embedded services. In addition, the platform supports a range of wired connectivity options such as T1/E1, T3/E3, and fiber Gigabit Ethernet. This platform offers superior performance and flexibility for network deployments across large and medium-sized enterprise offices.

Cisco added four more modular platforms to the 4000 series line that scale from 50Mbps to 1Gbps. They all run the IOS XE operating system and run virtualized services in software. One great thing about the new ISR 4000 routers is that they support upgrading of the bandwidth capacity by buying a license. That means that you can keep the same router for a longer time and grow into it, rather than doing a complete replacement as your demand for bandwidth increases.