Cisco Catalyst IR1101 Industrial Router 5G, Dual LTE and –40 to 60°C

The Cisco Catalyst IR1101 Rugged Series Router is a compact, modular industrial router for connecting remote assets over cellular, Gigabit Ethernet, serial, fiber, and GPIO interfaces. It combines Cisco IOS XE routing and security with a ruggedized chassis, dual-cellular options, industrial environmental ratings, and expansion modules for SCADA, local storage, SFP, and field I/O applications.

Product Positioning and Deployment Fit

The IR1101 is intended for distributed industrial and IoT deployments where equipment must operate in constrained cabinets, tolerate wide temperature ranges, and provide secure communications over cellular or wired WAN connections. Typical applications include:

• Utility distribution automation and secondary substations
• Remote SCADA and RTU connectivity
• Pipeline and oilfield monitoring
• Roadside transportation cabinets
• Industrial automation
• Remote asset management
• Financial and other distributed facilities
• Edge application hosting
• Public-safety and FirstNet-capable deployments when the appropriate cellular module is selected

The base chassis provides four Fast Ethernet LAN ports, a combo Gigabit Ethernet RJ45/SFP WAN interface, an isolated RS-232 serial interface, an alarm input, USB console access, and modular cellular support. Expansion modules add a second active cellular connection, additional SFP ports, serial interfaces, Ethernet ports, GPIO, and optional local storage.

The platform accepts nominal input voltages from +/-12V to +/-48V DC, with an operating input range of 9.6 to 60V DC. This range supports direct connection to many industrial DC power systems without requiring a separate converter at the router.

Architecture and Modular Expansion

The IR1101 uses a base chassis and field-replaceable expansion modules. The expansion interface is powered through the router, so the expansion module does not require a separate power input.

The modular architecture supports several deployment profiles:

The ordering table identifies the serial expansion module as IRM-1100-4A2T4, while the interface and physical specification tables identify it as IRM-1100-4A2T. This identifier should be reconciled during quotation and order validation.

The base platform can support one cellular module. With an appropriate expansion module, the router supports dual active LTE operation. Dual active cellular enables concurrent connections to two cellular networks for WAN redundancy, load balancing, differentiated services, and increased aggregate service availability.

Interfaces and Industrial Connectivity

Base platform interfaces

The base chassis includes:

• One combo 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet port using RJ45 or SFP
• Four 10/100BASE-T Fast Ethernet LAN ports
• One isolated RS-232 RJ45 DTE serial port
• One mini Type-B USB console port
• One alarm input port
• Modular 4G LTE, LTE Advanced, or 5G cellular support

The four Fast Ethernet ports support IEEE 802.1Q VLANs and Layer 3 VLAN interfaces. They also provide 4 kV isolation for electrostatic discharge protection.

The Gigabit Ethernet WAN interface can operate as a Layer 3 routed interface or as a Layer 2 switched interface. An additional 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet SFP interface is available on applicable expansion modules.

Serial connectivity

The base serial interface is an isolated RS-232 asynchronous RJ45 DTE interface supporting speeds up to 115,200 baud. Supported serial use cases and protocols include:

• SCADA transport
• DNP3
• IEC 60870 T101-104
• Raw Socket TCP
• Raw Socket UDP

The serial and Ethernet expansion module adds four isolated asynchronous serial interfaces supporting RS-232, RS-485, and RS-422 in DCE mode. It also adds two Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 LAN interfaces.

The IR1101 supports raw socket transport as an alternative to Block Serial Tunnel. It also supports DNP3 serial-to-DNP3/IP and IEC 60870 T101-to-T104 translation, allowing the router to function as a SCADA protocol gateway during migration from legacy serial infrastructure to IP networks.

SFP and GPIO connectivity

The SFP and GPIO expansion module provides:

• Four Gigabit Ethernet L2/L3 SFP ports
• Eight dry/wet contact GPIO ports

This configuration is appropriate where fiber is used for substation or plant interconnection and where the router must monitor cabinet alarms, breaker status, environmental contacts, or other field signals.

Cellular Module Selection

Cellular module selection must be based on geography, carrier certification, required throughput, supported bands, and whether the application requires LTE, 5G non-standalone, or 5G standalone operation.

The published cellular rates are theoretical. Throughput degradation may occur at high temperature. Actual performance also depends on carrier configuration, signal quality, spectrum, antenna installation, subscriber plan, and network loading.

The P-5GS6-RC-GL supports GSMA SGP.32 remote SIM profile swaps over the air using 3FF removable eSIMs with eUICC capability. Its GPS/GNSS support is designed for passive antennas. Active antennas requiring bias voltage are not supported.

The 450 MHz LTE option is available for the 1101-A-K9 platform and requires the Network Advantage license. It is intended for applications such as utility grids and mission-critical networks where longer propagation characteristics, wider geographic coverage, and indoor signal penetration are important. The module is supplied through the Cisco partner ecosystem identified in the product material.

Routing, Security, QoS, and High Availability

The IR1101 runs a universal Cisco IOS XE image. The documented software requirement is Cisco IOS XE Software Release 16.10.1 or later.

Routing and network services include:

• RIPv1 and RIPv2
• OSPFv2 and OSPFv3
• BGP
• EIGRP
• GRE and multipoint GRE
• VRF Lite
• NHRP
• NAT
• DHCP server, relay, and client
• Dynamic DNS
• DNS proxy and DNS spoofing
• IPv4 and IPv6 multicast
• IPv6 routing and forwarding
• STP
• L2TPv3 over subinterfaces and VLANs
• Serial data encapsulation and relay

Security functions include:

• IPsec
• SSL VPN
• DMVPN
• FlexVPN
• Group Encrypted Transport VPN
• IPsec over IPv6
• VRF-aware IPsec
• IPsec stateful failover
• NAT transparency
• PKI
• Hardware-accelerated encryption
• AES-256, SHA-384, and SHA-512
• Quantum Computer Resistant algorithms
• Zone-based policy firewall
• Stateful inspection firewall
• VRF-aware firewall
• Application inspection and control
• Control Plane Policing
• Integrated Threat Control
• Network foundation protection

The two software tiers are:

QoS is supported across LAN, WAN, and cellular interfaces. Cellular WAN interfaces support up to eight concurrent bearers for traffic classification and prioritization. Available QoS functions include LLQ, WFQ, CBWFQ, class-based traffic shaping and policing, policy-based routing, DSCP mapping, CBWRED, RSVP, cRTP, DiffServ, hierarchical QoS, and QoS pre-classification and pre-fragmentation.

High-availability functions include dual active LTE backhaul, dual SIM cellular failover, VRRP, and HSRP. Multi-bearer QoS depends on the cellular carrier supporting the necessary services.

Management and Operations

For small deployments, Cisco WebUI provides GUI-based staging and configuration through guided workflows.

For large industrial fleets, Cisco IoT Field Network Director provides:

• Zero-touch deployment and secure enrollment
• Role-based access
• User audit trails
• Secure communications across networks and VPN tunnels
• Geo-fencing
• Alerts and notifications
• Cellular and Ethernet monitoring
• Lifecycle management
• Real-time operational visibility

Cisco Catalyst Center and Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Manager provide enterprise network integration, centralized configuration, WAN policy, and management across Internet, MPLS, and cellular connections.

Embedded operational features include:

• Cisco IOS Embedded Event Manager for event detection and automated corrective actions
• IP SLA for measuring jitter, response time, packet loss, and connectivity
• SNMP, Syslog, and NetFlow
• Cellular diagnostic logging through the module diagnostic interface
• NETCONF, RESTCONF, IETF YANG, Python scripting, and custom libraries

Physical, Power, and Environmental Specifications

The base chassis measures 2.36 x 5.22 x 4.92 inches, or 60 x 132.5 x 124.9 mm, in height, width, and depth. The base chassis weighs 2.25 lb, or 1.02 kg.

Expansion module dimensions are:

• IRM-1100-SP or IRM-1100-SPMI: 1.3 x 5.2 x 4.9 inches, or 33 x 132 x 124 mm
• IRM-1100-4A2T or IRM-1100-4S-8I: 0.9 x 5.2 x 4.9 inches, or 23 x 132 x 124 mm

Expansion module weights are:

• IRM-1100-SPMI: 1.65 lb, or 0.75 kg
• IRM-1100-SP: 1.45 lb, or 0.66 kg
• IRM-1100-4A2T or IRM-1100-4S8I: 0.94 lb, or 0.43 kg

Mounting options include panel, wall, and DIN rail installation in vertical or horizontal orientations. The ingress protection rating is IP30.

Power specifications are:

• Nominal voltage: +/-12V to +/-48V DC
• Input range: 9.6 to 60V DC
• Maximum input current: 1.24A at 9.6V DC
• Minimum input current: 0.26A at 60V DC
• Idle consumption: 6.6W
• Typical consumption: 9.8W
• Maximum consumption: 12W
• Additional typical consumption with IRM-1100-SP or IRM-1100-SPMI and a second cellular module: 10W
• Additional consumption with IRM-1100-4S8I: 6.4W

Environmental operating limits are:

• -40 to 60 C in a sealed NEMA cabinet with no airflow
• -40 to 70 C in a vented cabinet with 40 LFM of air
• -40 to 75 C in a forced-air enclosure with 200 LFM
• Type tested at 85 C for 16 hours
• Operating altitude at 40 C up to 13,800 feet
• Non-operating temperature from -40 to 85 C
• Non-operating shock of 50-60G, with a stated minimum of 3.76 m/s
• Vibration from 3 to 500 Hz at 1.12 GRMS, with breakpoints at 10 and 100 Hz

The datasheet does not specify an acoustic noise rating. It also does not provide an MTBF value. These items should be treated as unspecified for acoustic-sensitive installations and reliability calculations.

Applicable standards include IEC 61850-3, IEEE 1613, EN 50121-4, FirstNet Capable, Verizon Frontline, FIPS 140-2, Common Criteria, DoDIN APL, and USGv6. Hazardous-location standards include Class 1 Division 2, IECEx Class I Zone 2 gas group IIC, and ATEX Class I Zone 2 gas group IIC.

SFP Selection Rules

Supported SFP options range from 100 Mbps to Gigabit Ethernet and from 100 meters to 80 km, depending on the transceiver.

Industrial-rated options should be selected for the router’s operating environment. The datasheet states that non-industrial or commercial SFPs can reduce the system temperature profile because the IR1101 is designed for an industrial internal component temperature range.

Complete Ordering Matrix

Antennas and other accessories are not automatically included with the router. Presales bills of material should include the required cellular antennas, GPS/GNSS antenna where applicable, lightning protection, SFPs, mounting hardware, power equipment, and software or management subscriptions.

Warranty and Technical Services

The IR1101 includes a Cisco 5-year limited hardware warranty. The warranty does not provide all operational benefits available through a technical service contract.

Cisco SMARTnet Service provides:

• Global Cisco TAC access at all times
• Cisco online resources, communities, and tools
• Available advance hardware replacement options including NBD, 8 x 5 x 4, 24 x 7 x 4, and 24 x 7 x 2 service levels
• Onsite parts replacement and installation options
• Operating system software updates within the licensed feature set
• Proactive diagnostics and real-time alerts for Smart Call Home-enabled devices

Cisco Smart Foundation Service provides:

• NBD advance hardware replacement where available
• Business-hours SMB TAC access, subject to regional access levels
• Access to Cisco online resources and the SMB knowledge base
• Online technical resources through the Smart Foundation portal
• Operating system bug fixes and patches

Presales Sizing Rules

1. Select the cellular module by carrier certification and RF band support, not only by nominal throughput.
2. Use dual active cellular only when the expansion module, second cellular module, SIM strategy, antenna arrangement, and carrier services are all included in the design.
3. Budget approximately 10W additional typical consumption for the dual-cellular configuration using the applicable expansion module.
4. Add 6.4W for the IRM-1100-4S8I expansion module when calculating cabinet power.
5. Use industrial-rated SFPs for installations exposed to the router’s full environmental range.
6. Select the serial expansion module when more than one isolated serial device is required.
7. Select the SFP and GPIO expansion module when fiber density or dry/wet contact monitoring is required.
8. Use Network Advantage when the design requires MPLS, mobile IP, application-aware QoS, or Cisco Edge Intelligence entitlement.
9. Verify carrier support for multi-bearer QoS; router capability alone does not guarantee carrier delivery.
10. Treat published cellular speeds as theoretical and account for temperature, RF conditions, carrier loading, and service-plan limitations.
11. Confirm cabinet airflow before quoting the higher operating temperature limits.
12. Include antennas and lightning arrestors explicitly because they are not included automatically.
13. Validate the expansion-module identifier before order entry where the documentation uses both IRM-1100-4A2T and IRM-1100-4A2T4.
14. Do not use the datasheet for MTBF or acoustic-noise planning because those values are not specified.