Description
Product Overview of the Cisco A900-IMA-8Z 8 Ports Expansion Module
The Cisco A900-IMA-8Z ASR900, an 8-Port 10 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) 10Gbase-x Plug-in Interface Module. This expansion module, equipped with Small Form-Factor Pluggable Plus (SFP+), promises enhanced performance and versatility for networking professionals. The ASR900 Series 8 Ports by Cisco is renowned for its high-performance routers designed to meet the demanding requirements of modern networking. The A900-IMA-8Z is a notable addition to this series, offering advanced capabilities for organizations striving for excellence in their network infrastructure.
Features and Benefits
The Cisco A900-IMA-8Z is an 8-port 10GbE SFP+ expansion module designed for use with the Cisco ASR 900 series of routers. Here are the features and benefits of this module:
Features
- Port Configuration: The module provides 8 ports, each supporting 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) speeds, with the use of SFP+ transceivers.
- High-Speed Connectivity: The module delivers high-speed connectivity with line-rate forwarding of up to 80 Gbps.
- Hot-Swappable: The module is hot-swappable, allowing for easy installation or replacement without disrupting network traffic.
- Energy Efficient: The module is designed to be energy efficient, using low power consumption and reducing operational costs.
- Compatibility: The module is compatible with the Cisco ASR 901, 903, and 907 routers.
Benefits
- Scalability: The module provides an easy and cost-effective way to expand the network infrastructure, adding 10GbE ports to the Cisco ASR 900 series of routers.
- High-Performance Networking: The module delivers high-performance networking with low latency and high throughput, making it ideal for use in data centers, service provider networks, and large enterprise networks.
- Future-Proofing: The module provides a flexible and scalable network infrastructure, capable of meeting the demands of future network applications and services.
- Simplified Network Management: The module can be managed using Cisco IOS software, providing a unified and consistent management experience across the Cisco ASR 900 series of routers.
- Reliability and Availability: The module supports a range of redundancy features, such as link aggregation and hot standby, to ensure high availability and failover protection.
Advantages of the Cisco A900-IMA-8Z ASR900Enhanced Performance
The Cisco A900-IMA-8Z ASR900 module is engineered to deliver optimal performance in high-demand environments. The 10 Gigabit Ethernet ports ensure swift data transfers, reducing latency and enhancing overall network responsiveness. This level of performance is crucial for applications such as video streaming, cloud computing, and real-time collaboration tools.
Flexibility in Network Design
The eight ports provided by the module offer network architects a high degree of flexibility when designing and optimizing their network topology. Whether it’s creating redundant connections for critical systems or establishing high-speed links between core switches, the Cisco A900-IMA-8Z ASR900 empowers network professionals with the tools they need to design efficient and resilient networks.
Cost-Effective Scalability
Scalability is a paramount concern for businesses experiencing growth. The Cisco A900-IMA-8Z ASR900 module addresses this need by providing an economical solution for expanding network capacity. Instead of investing in an entirely new networking infrastructure, businesses can leverage the module’s eight ports to meet increased demand without significant capital expenditures.
Seamless with Existing Infrastructure
The 10Gbase-x standard ensures compatibility with a wide range of networking equipment. This means that the Cisco A900-IMA-8Z ASR900 module can be seamlessly integrated into existing network setups, allowing organizations to enhance their infrastructure without the need for a complete overhaul.
Security Features
The Cisco A900-IMA-8Z 8-Port 10GbE SFP+ Expansion Module provides a range of security features to protect the network and its data. Here are some of the security features of this module:
- Access Control: The module supports access control features, such as MAC address filtering, VLAN tagging, and port security, to prevent unauthorized access to the network and its devices.
- Authentication and Authorization: The module supports authentication and authorization protocols, such as IEEE 802.1x and RADIUS, to ensure that only authorized users can access the network.
- Encryption: The module supports encryption features, such as IPsec and SSL/TLS, to secure data in transit over the network and protect it from interception and unauthorized access.
- Denial of Service (DoS) Protection: The module provides DoS protection features, such as an IP source guard, to prevent network attacks and protect the network from flooding or other forms of malicious traffic.
- Firewall: The module supports firewall features, such as Access Control Lists (ACLs), to filter and block traffic based on predefined rules and policies.
- Network Segmentation: The module supports network segmentation features, such as Virtual Routing and Forwarding (VRF) and Virtual LAN (VLAN), to create separate network domains and isolate traffic between them.
- Network Monitoring: The module supports network monitoring features, such as NetFlow, to monitor network traffic and identify potential security threats or anomalies.
- Redundancy: The module supports redundancy features, such as link aggregation and hot standby, to ensure high availability and failover protection in case of network failures or attacks.
These security features help to ensure the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of the network and its data, making the Cisco A900-IMA-8Z 8-Port 10GbE SFP+ Expansion Module a secure and reliable option for high-performance networking environments.
Use Cases and ApplicationsData Centers
In the realm of data centers, where high-performance connectivity is non-negotiable, the Cisco A900-IMA-8Z ASR900 module shines. Its eight 10 Gigabit Ethernet ports are well-suited for connecting servers, storage systems, and other critical components within the data center environment. The module’s hot-swapping capability also proves invaluable in data center scenarios where uptime is of utmost importance.
Enterprise Networks
For large enterprises with complex networking requirements, the Cisco A900-IMA-8Z ASR900 module provides the necessary firepower. The module’s scalability allows enterprises to adapt to changing demands, while its compatibility with various networking devices simplifies integration into existing enterprise networks. This versatility makes it a valuable asset in corporate environments where a robust and flexible network infrastructure is paramount.
Service Providers
Service providers, whether offering internet services or managed networking solutions, can leverage the Cisco A900-IMA-8Z ASR900 module to enhance their service offerings. The high-speed 10 Gigabit Ethernet ports cater to the bandwidth demands of modern communication services, ensuring that service providers can deliver a reliable and high-performance network to their customers.
High Availability and Redundancy Options
The Cisco A900-IMA-8Z 8-Port 10GbE SFP+ Expansion Module provides high availability and redundancy options to ensure the reliability and availability of the network. Here are some of the options available:
- Link Aggregation: The module supports link aggregation, also known as port trunking, which allows multiple physical links to be grouped to form a logical link with higher bandwidth and redundancy.
- Hot Standby: The module supports hot standby features, such as Hot Standby Router Protocol (HSRP) and Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol (VRRP), which allow backup routers to automatically take over in case of a failure or outage.
- Load Balancing: The module supports load balancing features, such as Equal-Cost Multipath (ECMP), which distributes traffic across multiple paths to optimize performance and availability.
- Redundant Power: The module supports redundant power options, such as dual power supplies, to ensure uninterrupted power supply and protect against power outages or failures.
- Redundant Fans: The module has built-in redundant fans to ensure cooling and prevent overheating or hardware failure.
- Graceful Restart: The module supports graceful restart features, which enable a router or switch to maintain its forwarding state during a software upgrade or restart, minimizing disruption to network traffic.
- Non-Stop Forwarding (NSF): The module supports NSF features, which enable a router or switch to continue forwarding packets during a software upgrade or restart, providing uninterrupted network service.
These high availability and redundancy options help to ensure that the network remains available and reliable even in the event of failures or outages, making the Cisco A900-IMA-8Z 8-Port 10GbE SFP+ Expansion Module a dependable choice for mission-critical networks.
General Information of the Cisco A900-IMA-8Z Expansion Module
- Manufacturer: Cisco
- Part Number or SKU# A900-IMA-8Z
- Product Type: Expansion Module
Technical Information of 10 Gigabit Expansion Module
- Form Factor: Plug-in Module
- Ports: 10 Gigabit SFP+ X 8
- Cabling Type: Ethernet 10gbase-x
- Data Link Protocol: 10 GIGE
In general, the Cisco A900-IMA-8Z ASR900 is a powerful 8-Port 10 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) 10Gbase-x Plug-in Interface Module that brings enhanced performance, scalability, and reliability to networking environments. With its 10Gbase-x technology, SFP+ compatibility, and seamless integration with Cisco’s ASR900 Series routers, it stands as a versatile solution for a variety of networking needs. Whether deployed in enterprise networks, data centers, or by service providers, the A900-IMA-8Z is poised to meet the challenges of today and adapt to the demands of tomorrow, making it a sound investment for organizations striving for excellence in their network infrastructure.
