The Cisco SLASR1-AES is the Advanced Enterprise Services license for the ASR 1000 Series Aggregation Services Routers. This perpetual right-to-use (RTU) license upgrades existing IP Base (IPB) software images to unlock a comprehensive suite of enterprise-grade features, enabling service providers and large enterprises to deploy advanced WAN aggregation, MPLS services, and secure connectivity solutions.
Key Capabilities Unlocked by AES License
- Advanced MPLS Services: Supports Layer 2 VPN (L2VPN) including Virtual Private LAN Service (VPLS), Layer 3 VPN (L3VPN), and Point-to-Multipoint L3VPN for scalable service provider edge deployments.
- Hierarchical Quality of Service (QoS): Multi-level Hierarchical QoS with up to 8 levels of policing and queuing, ideal for video, voice, and data prioritization in converged networks.
- Security Enhancements: Zone-Based Policy Firewall (ZBFW), IPSec VPN, GRE, and FlexVPN for secure site-to-site and remote access connectivity.
- Performance Routing (PfR): Intelligent path selection based on application performance metrics, delay, loss, and jitter.
- Rich IPv6 Support: Full IPv6 routing suite including OSPFv3, BGP4+, IS-IS, and multicast.
Upgrade Path and Deployment
The SLASR1-AES license is specifically designed as an upgrade from the base IPB feature set. Once activated via Cisco Smart Licensing or traditional PAK, it transforms the ASR 1000 router into a high-performance edge platform capable of handling up to 200 Gbps throughput depending on the chassis and embedded services processors (ESPs). This license applies universally across the ASR 1000 portfolio, ensuring consistent feature availability from compact 1RU models like ASR1001-X to high-density chassis such as ASR1013.
Advanced Routing and Services
- BGP with full route reflectors, confederations, and policy-based routing.
- Multicast protocols including PIM-SM, PIM-SSM, and Source Specific Multicast (SSM).
- Application Visibility and Control (AVC) for deep packet inspection and NBAR2 classification.
- Intelligent WAN optimization with PfRv3 for dynamic path control.
Operational Benefits
Deploying the AES license maximizes the investment in ASR 1000 hardware by providing future-proof scalability for evolving network demands. It supports embedded packet processing for services without external appliances, reducing latency and operational complexity. Ideal for branch offices, data centers, and WAN edges requiring carrier-class reliability and service demarcation.