A901-6CZ-F-A

Key Features of the Cisco A901-6CZ-F-A:

1. Compact 1RU Form Factor:

   • The A901-6CZ-F-A is designed with a 1RU (rack unit) form factor, making it well-suited for environments where space is limited, such as data centers, branch offices, and edge networks. Despite its compact size, it offers the necessary performance for demanding high-speed routing applications.

2. 6 x 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) Ports:

   • This model offers 6 x 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) ports, which can support high-throughput applications, interconnecting different parts of the network or providing aggregation between multiple branches or data centers. These ports are typically used for fiber-optic or copper connectivity (via SFP+ or other interfaces).
   • The availability of 6 ports ensures flexibility in how it can be deployed, providing ample bandwidth for connecting different parts of a network or handling aggregate traffic in medium-sized environments.

3. Layer 3 Routing Capabilities:

   • The A901-6CZ-F-A supports advanced Layer 3 routing, which is essential for forwarding data between different subnets or networks. It supports protocols like IPv4/IPv6, OSPF (Open Shortest Path First), BGP (Border Gateway Protocol), IS-IS (Intermediate System-to-Intermediate System), and MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching).
   • These capabilities allow the router to perform high-speed, reliable routing at the network edge, handling routing tasks such as forwarding traffic, policy-based routing, and implementing network traffic engineering.

4. MPLS and VPN Support:

   • Like other models in the ASR 900 Series, the A901-6CZ-F-A supports MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching), which enables service providers and enterprises to implement efficient data transport, traffic engineering, and scalable VPNs (Virtual Private Networks).
   • With support for Layer 2 and Layer 3 VPNs, this router is ideal for delivering secure, isolated networking services to different customers or departments while maintaining high performance across the network.

5. Cisco IOS XR Software:

   • The A901-6CZ-F-A runs on Cisco IOS XR, a highly scalable and reliable operating system designed for carrier-class routing. This OS offers advanced automation, traffic management, and high availability features, which are essential for managing complex network infrastructures.
   • With Cisco IOS XR, users can manage the router remotely, deploy new services, and handle fault isolation and recovery seamlessly.

6. Security Features:

   • The A901-6CZ-F-A includes various security features to ensure that data transmitted across the network is protected. These features include IPSec VPNs, firewall capabilities, Access Control Lists (ACLs), and protection against Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks.
   • These features are important for maintaining secure communication and preventing unauthorized access or service disruptions, especially in service provider environments.

7. Energy Efficiency:

   • The A901-6CZ-F-A is designed to be energy-efficient, ensuring that users can reduce operational costs in large-scale deployments. The energy-efficient design is important for reducing electricity bills and supporting green initiatives in enterprise and data center environments.

8. Redundancy and High Availability:

   • Like other Cisco ASR models, the A901-6CZ-F-A supports redundant power supplies and hot-swappable fans for continuous operation. These features ensure that the router remains operational even in the event of a failure in one of the components, which is critical for mission-critical applications where uptime is essential.
   • The high availability and redundancy features minimize downtime and help ensure uninterrupted service delivery.

9. Virtualization and Multi-Tenant Support:

   • The A901-6CZ-F-A supports various network virtualization technologies such as VXLAN (Virtual Extensible LAN) and MPLS VPNs, allowing organizations to create virtual networks over shared physical infrastructure. These technologies help optimize resource usage and allow multiple tenants or departments to share the same network while maintaining isolation between their traffic.
   • This is particularly useful for cloud service providers, managed service providers, and enterprises that require network separation for different business units or customer groups.

10. Flexible Upgradability:

    • The A901-6CZ-F-A offers modular flexibility in its design, allowing users to upgrade components like power supplies or network interfaces if necessary. This flexibility is important for users who need to scale their network capacity as demands evolve over time.

Specifications:

• Form Factor: 1RU (rack-mounted)
• Ports: 6 x 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) ports (SFP+ or fiber-optic interfaces)
• Routing Capabilities: Supports Layer 3 routing, IPv4/IPv6, BGP, OSPF, IS-IS, MPLS, VPNs, and more
• Software: Cisco IOS XR operating system
• Security: IPSec VPNs, firewall, ACLs, DDoS protection
• Redundancy: Hot-swappable fans and dual redundant power supplies
• Virtualization: Supports VXLAN, MPLS VPNs, and VLANs
• Power: Energy-efficient design
• Dimensions: 1.75 x 17.3 x 15.6 inches (44.5 x 438 x 396 mm)
• Weight: Approx. 7.7 kg (16.9 lbs)

Use Cases:

1. Branch Office Connectivity:

   • The A901-6CZ-F-A is an excellent choice for branch offices that require secure, high-performance connectivity to the central office or data center. Its 6 x 10GbE ports provide sufficient bandwidth for aggregation and secure communication, while its small form factor makes it ideal for space-constrained environments.

2. Service Provider Edge:

   • For service providers, the A901-6CZ-F-A is ideal for edge deployments, offering high-speed connectivity, MPLS, VPN services, and security features that allow providers to deliver managed services to customers securely and efficiently.

3. Enterprise Edge Routing:

   • The A901-6CZ-F-A serves as an enterprise edge router, aggregating traffic from various branches or remote offices and securely routing it to the core network. It is perfect for companies that need to ensure high-performance and secure connectivity for remote offices.

4. Multi-Tenant Cloud Services:

   • The A901-6CZ-F-A is suited for cloud service providers or managed services providers offering virtualized services to customers. Its support for VXLAN and MPLS VPNs makes it an excellent choice for creating isolated, virtualized network environments for multiple tenants.

5. Data Center Interconnect:

   • The router can be used in data center interconnect scenarios, where it provides high-speed, low-latency connectivity between multiple data centers. This allows for the seamless transfer of data and intercommunication between different locations in the network.

Differences from Other ASR 900 Series Models:

• The A901-6CZ-F-A offers 6 x 10GbE ports, which provides a good balance between performance and port density. This makes it suitable for edge or small-scale aggregation deployments.
• Compared to larger models like the ASR 9000 series, which may offer higher port densities and additional service features, the A901-6CZ-F-A is a more compact, cost-effective solution for smaller environments or edge routing.
• It is positioned as a mid-range model in the ASR 900 Series, ideal for customers looking for high-performance routing without the need for very high port density or larger-scale aggregation found in the ASR 9000 models.