ISR 4000 Modules Datasheet for Cisco 1GE and 10GE WAN Modules

Cisco 4000 Series Gigabit Ethernet WAN modules add routed Gigabit Ethernet and, for one service module, 10 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity to Cisco 4000 Series Integrated Services Routers. The modules use Small Form-Factor Pluggable (SFP), SFP+, and copper RJ-45 connectivity as applicable to the model, and are intended for Ethernet WAN access, inter-VLAN routing, and high-speed connections to LAN switches and servers.

These interfaces operate as routed Layer 3 ports. They do not provide Layer 2 switching between ports on the module, between module ports and other router ports, or between VLANs locally on the module. An externally connected switch may terminate a Layer 2 trunk on a module port, but the host router routes all traffic entering the module. Layer 2 trunk and VLAN information is not switched to other ports in the system.

None of the Gigabit Ethernet WAN modules support Power over Ethernet (PoE).

Module selection at a glance

The SM-X-4X1G-1X10G has mutually exclusive operating modes:

• Four-port Gigabit Ethernet mode
• One-port 10 Gigabit Ethernet mode

Activating the 10 Gigabit Ethernet port disables the other ports. It is therefore not a four-port Gigabit module with an additional concurrently active 10 Gigabit port.

The ordering forms shown in the datasheet are:

• NIM-1GE-CU-SFP(=)
• NIM-2GE-CU-SFP(=)
• SM-X-6X1G(=)
• SM-X-4X1G-1X10G(=)

The equal sign suffix is shown as part of the ordering notation.

Presales sizing rules

Use the following rules when selecting and sizing a module:

1. Select a NIM when one or two additional routed Ethernet interfaces are required and the router has an available NIM position or an appropriate adaptor arrangement.
2. Select the SM-X-6X1G when port density is more important than a single high-speed interface. It provides six routed Gigabit Ethernet ports in one service-module position.
3. Select the SM-X-4X1G-1X10G when the design requires either four Gigabit interfaces or one 10 Gigabit interface. Do not count the four Gigabit ports and the 10 Gigabit port as simultaneously available.
4. Verify the physical slot type before quoting. NIM and SM-X modules do not use the same native slot category, although the NIM modules can also be installed in an enhanced SM-X slot with an adaptor card.
5. Confirm Cisco IOS XE, platform, and SFP support for the exact router, module, and optic combination before final configuration.
6. Treat all module ports as routed interfaces. A separate switching platform is required when local Layer 2 switching between module ports is needed.
7. Do not include PoE power budgets in the design. These modules do not support PoE.
8. Check the number of available NIM and SM-X slots when multiple modules are proposed. The number of installed modules is limited by platform slot density.
9. For the SM-X-4X1G-1X10G, establish the required operating mode before calculating port count, bandwidth, and optics.
10. Use aggregate interface statistics for capacity and fault analysis. The modules report packet and byte statistics per port, not per VLAN.

The datasheet does not provide a forwarding throughput figure, aggregate switching capacity, packet-per-second value, or oversubscription ratio. Capacity planning should therefore use the router platform’s documented performance characteristics and the service-provider circuit rates rather than assigning an unstated module throughput value.

Feature and compatibility comparison

Auto-switchover and auto-failover require Cisco IOS XE Software Release 3.16 or later. The same functions are also supported on the dual-physical-layer Gigabit Ethernet interfaces on the router front panel.

Input packet classification is available on the two SM-X modules. Two classification methods are supported:

• IPv4 and IPv6 classification
• Standard IEEE 802.1Q classification

These methods are mutually exclusive. IPv4 and IPv6 classification rules can be enabled on up to three external ports, and the same rules must apply to both IPv4 and IPv6 addresses. IEEE 802.1Q-based classification is supported on all ports.

Interface behavior and operations

The modules are based on the technology used by the onboard Gigabit Ethernet and SFP ports of the Cisco 4000 Series ISR. Feature support is therefore described as identical to that of the onboard ports.

The interfaces can be used for:

• Ethernet WAN access
• Routed inter-VLAN connectivity
• High-speed router-to-switch connections
• Router-to-server connectivity
• Aggregation of Ethernet circuits from multiple providers
• Fiber and copper aggregation within a building or campus
• Picocell and femtocell transport aggregation

The modules are not Ethernet switches. A design that requires VLAN switching, local port bridging, or switching traffic between several module ports must include a separate switching platform or use an appropriate external switch architecture.

Statistics are available at an aggregate level per port. Reported measurements include:

• Policy drops
• Oversubscription drops
• Unicast input and output packet counts
• Broadcast input and output packet counts
• Input and output byte counts

Per-VLAN packet and byte statistics are not generated by these modules.

Installation and serviceability

The modules can be installed before or after the router is mounted. The Cisco Gigabit Ethernet WAN modules support hard Online Insertion and Removal (OIR), allowing insertion into the router while the router is powered on.

The NIM-1GE-CU-SFP and NIM-2GE-CU-SFP can also be used in an enhanced SM-X slot with an adaptor card. Installation planning must account for the required slot, adaptor, router model, and available physical space.

Use the show diag command to check hardware information for the Cisco Gigabit Ethernet WAN service modules.

For installation, observe the specified intrabuilding cabling restrictions. To comply with Telcordia GR-1089 Network Equipment Building Standards requirements for electromagnetic compatibility and safety, Gigabit Ethernet ports must connect only to intrabuilding or unexposed wiring or cable. The intrabuilding cable must be shielded, with the shield grounded at both ends. The intrabuilding ports must not be metallically connected to interfaces that connect to outside-plant wiring. These interfaces are intended for intrabuilding use and require isolation from exposed outside-plant cabling. Adding primary protectors alone is not sufficient protection for metallic connection to outside-plant wiring.

LED interpretation

The modules provide enable and link indicators around the SFP and RJ-45 ports. The indicators show module self-test and operational status.

The speed indicator applies to the supported port speed states shown in the datasheet. The product information does not define an additional 10 Gigabit blink code for the SM-X-4X1G-1X10G.

Deployment patterns

Ethernet WAN and provider aggregation

The SM-X-6X1G is suited to a router that terminates several sub-rate Gigabit Ethernet WAN connections from different Internet service providers. Each provider handoff remains a routed interface on the ISR. This supports designs that use multiple Internet connections, private WAN transport, or a combination of private and public WAN services.

The NIM-2GE-CU-SFP is appropriate when the design needs two Ethernet WAN connections, such as a primary circuit and a secondary circuit. The NIM-1GE-CU-SFP serves a single additional Ethernet handoff.

Auto-switchover and auto-failover can be used where supported by the router and software design. The module capability does not by itself define the routing policy or failover criteria.

Campus and intracampus connectivity

The SM-X-6X1G supports a mixture of copper and fiber cabling options through its dual-mode Gigabit Ethernet interfaces. It can provide routed connections to campus distribution, building aggregation, servers, or other network infrastructure without requiring a separate switch for the specific routed aggregation function.

The datasheet identifies a configuration using two service modules and the four onboard ports in a Cisco 4451-X chassis. That combination can support up to 16 routed fiber ports in the chassis.

Mobile access aggregation

The SM-X-4X1G-1X10G and SM-X-6X1G can be used to aggregate links from multiple intermediate distribution frames in picocell and femtocell deployments. The service modules consolidate those routed links in the ISR and can reduce the number of separately managed aggregation devices.

For this use case, the SM-X-4X1G-1X10G should be selected according to the required mode. Use four-port Gigabit mode for multiple Gigabit links, or one-port 10 Gigabit mode when the uplink requires a 10 Gigabit SFP+ interface.

Physical and environmental specifications

Physical specifications

Environmental specifications

The following limits apply to all models:

MTBF, heat dissipation, power consumption, and acoustic noise values are not specified in the datasheet. Rack, cabinet, and room-level thermal planning must use the applicable Cisco 4000 Series ISR chassis documentation and the installed platform configuration.

Warranty, support, and service planning

The datasheet does not state a warranty period, hardware replacement entitlement, software support entitlement, response time, or service-level option for these modules. Warranty and technical service coverage must therefore be established from the applicable purchase configuration and service contract.

Technical assistance is available through the Cisco Support website, which provides documentation and tools for troubleshooting Cisco products and technologies. Access to most support tools requires a Cisco.com user ID and password. Available support resources include product documentation, troubleshooting tools, field notices, product alert subscriptions, technical services newsletters, and RSS feeds.

Presales proposals should identify the required support contract separately from the hardware SKU. The module ordering part number alone does not define a replacement response level or software support commitment.

Documentation and implementation references

Implementation work should use the relevant documents for:

• Connecting the NIM-1GE-CU-SFP and NIM-2GE-CU-SFP
• Connecting the SM-X-6X1G and SM-X-4X1G-1X10G
• Configuring the NIM-1GE-CU-SFP and NIM-2GE-CU-SFP
• Configuring the SM-X-6X1G and SM-X-4X1G-1X10G
• Cisco 4451-X hardware installation
• Cisco 4451-X software configuration
• Cisco network module and interface card regulatory compliance and safety
• Cisco 4400 Series ISR documentation

Before final deployment, verify the selected SFP or SFP+ optic, router platform, available slot, and Cisco IOS XE software support for the intended interface combination.