New: About Cisco 4000 Series ISR Gigabit Ethernet WAN Modules

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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)

The Cisco 4-Port Gigabit or 1-Port 10 Gigabit Ethernet WAN Service Module can be operated in two mutually exclusive modes:

4-port Gigabit Ethernet mode
1-port 10 Gigabit Ethernet mode; use of the 10 Gigabit Ethernet port disables the other ports

Module Feature Comparison-the main four types of Ethernet WAN modules

Variable	Cisco 1-Port Gigabit Ethernet WAN NIM (NIM-1GE-CU-SFP)	Cisco 2-Port Gigabit Ethernet WAN NIM (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)
Form Factor	Network Interface Module (NIM)	NIM	Single-wide Enhanced Service Module (SM-X)	SM-X
Cisco 4000 Series ISR support	All	All	Platforms with SM-X slot	Platforms with SM-X slot
Auto-switchover and auto-failover^*	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Input packet classification on module	No	No	Yes^**	Yes^**
MACsec support^* (IEEE 802.1AE)	No	256-bit	No	No

^* Requires Cisco IOS XE Software Release 3.16. Auto-switchover and auto-failover are also supported on front-panel Gigabit Ethernet ports on the Cisco 4000 Series ISRs.
^** For the classifications of packets on the input queue (to apply quality of service [QoS]), two types of classification methods are supported: based on either IPv4 and IPv6 or standard 802.1Q. These methods are mutually exclusive.

The IPv4 and IPv6 classification rules can be enabled on up to three of the external ports. The same rules must apply to both IPv4 and IPv6 addresses. The 802.1Q-based classification is supported on all ports.

The Cisco Gigabit Ethernet WAN Modules report the packet and byte statistics at an aggregate level per port. These statistics cannot be generated per VLAN. These measurements include policy drops, oversubscription drops, unicast, broadcast input, and output packet bytes or counts.

Installation-How to Install the service modules and network modules?

You can install service modules and network modules either before or after mounting the router. The 1- and 2-port NIMs also support the enhanced service module (SM-X) slot with an adaptor card. The Cisco Gigabit Ethernet WAN Modules support hard online insertion and removal (OIR). You can insert them into the router while the router is powered on.

Warning: To comply with the Telcordia GR-1089 Network Equipment Building Standards (NEBS) for electromagnetic compatibility and safety, connect the Gigabit Ethernet ports only to intrabuilding or unexposed wiring or cable. The intrabuilding cable must be shielded and the shield must be grounded at both ends. The intrabuilding port(s) of the equipment or subassembly must not be metallically connected to interfaces that connect to the outside plant (OSP) or its wiring.

Platform, SFP, and Cisco IOS XE Software Release Support

The Cisco Gigabit Ethernet WAN Modules are generally supported on all Cisco 4000 Series ISRs subject to the availability of an appropriate slot. You may deploy as many modules as the platform slot density allows.

For specific details about platform, SFP, and Cisco IOS XE Software support, visit the Ethernet WAN section at: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/routers/4000-series-integrated-services-routers-isr/relevant-interfaces-and-modules.html.

For configuration instructions, refer to the “Configuring Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, or Gigabit Ethernet Interfaces” chapter of Configuring LAN Interfaces. The guidelines in this chapter apply to all Cisco modular access routers.

For more configuration instructions and other related documents, refer to the “Related Documents and Links” section on page 6 of that document.

Note: Use the show diag command to check the hardware information of the Cisco Gigabit Ethernet WAN Service Modules.

Module LED Indicators

The Cisco Gigabit Ethernet WAN Modules have several EN (Enabled) or L (Link) LEDs located around the SFP and RJ-45 ports. The LEDs indicate that the module has passed its self-test and is available to the router.

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

	Cisco 1-Port Gigabit Ethernet WAN NIM (NIM-1GE-CU-SFP)	Cisco 2-Port Gigabit Ethernet WAN NIM (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)
Form Factor	NIM	NIM	SM-X	SM-X
Dimensions (H x W x D)	1.25 x 3.50 x 7.24 in. (32 x 89 x 184 mm)	1.25 x 3.50 x 7.24 in. (32 x 89 x 184 mm)	1.57 x 8.11 x 8.15 in (40 x 206 x 207 mm)	1.57 x 8.11 x 8.15 in (40 x 206 x 207 mm)
Weight	240 grams	252 grams	872 grams	848 grams

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