Cisco ASR1000 RP2 Processor

Key Features of the Cisco ASR 1000 Series Route Processor 

Advanced Routing Capabilities with Optional Redundant Processor Support

The Cisco ASR1000-RP2 delivers exceptional advanced routing capabilities designed for carrier grade IP and multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) packet infrastructures. This route processor provides comprehensive support for single route processor solutions while also enabling optional redundant processor support for enhanced network reliability. The ASR1000-RP2 incorporates sophisticated IKE negotiation capabilities for maintaining IP security (IPsec) authentication and encryption methods, ensuring secure data transmission across enterprise and service provider networks. The processor’s advanced architecture supports building integrated timing supply (BITS) output functionality, providing precise timing distribution critical for telecommunications infrastructure. These features make the ASR1000-RP2 an ideal choice for organizations requiring robust routing performance with enterprise-grade security capabilities.

High Availability Failover and Stateful Switchover Technology

The Route Processor 2 incorporates industry-leading high availability failover mechanisms through sophisticated stateful switchover capabilities that ensure minimal service disruption during network maintenance or component failures. The system supports fully redundant operations with hot swappable capabilities, allowing administrators to perform maintenance tasks without affecting network operations. When deployed in redundant configurations, the ASR1000-RP2 enables seamless failover between active and standby processors while maintaining critical state information and routing tables. The stateful switchover technology preserves routing protocol adjacencies and forwarding information, ensuring that network traffic continues without interruption during processor transitions. This advanced failover capability significantly enhances network reliability and reduces the operational impact of planned maintenance activities.

Memory Scalability and Enhanced Performance Architecture

The ASR1000-RP2 features impressive memory scalability with support for up to 16 GB DRAM, providing substantial capacity for large routing tables and complex network configurations. This enhanced memory architecture enables the processor to handle demanding enterprise and service provider environments while maintaining optimal performance levels. The system includes multiple connectivity options with ethernet ports, auxiliary ports, and USB port connectivity for comprehensive management and configuration flexibility. The processor integrates seamlessly with other components in the ASR 1000 series, providing a cohesive platform for complex routing and switching requirements. The scalable memory design ensures that the route processor can accommodate growing network demands while maintaining consistent performance across diverse deployment scenarios.

Integrated Management and Service Capabilities

The Cisco ASR1000-RP2 serves as the central management processor for ASR 1000 series routers, providing comprehensive router configuration and monitoring capabilities through multiple management interfaces. The processor includes dedicated ethernet ports for out-of-band management, auxiliary ports for console access, and USB port connectivity for local configuration and maintenance tasks. Advanced service capabilities include support for session border controller functionality, stateful firewall policy distribution, and comprehensive quality of service management. The system runs Cisco IOS XE software, providing a robust and feature-rich operating environment that supports modern networking protocols and advanced security features. These integrated management capabilities enable efficient network operations while providing the flexibility needed for complex service provider and enterprise deployments.

Specifications of the Cisco ASR 1000 Series Route Processor 

Hardware Platform and Memory Architecture

The Cisco ASR1000-RP2 is engineered as a high-performance plug-in module designed for modular ASR 1000 series chassis including the ASR 1004, ASR 1006, ASR 1006-X, ASR 1009-X, and ASR 1013 models. The processor incorporates advanced hardware architecture with memory scalability supporting up to 16 GB DRAM for handling large routing tables and complex network configurations. The system includes integrated storage capabilities with solid-state drive technology for reliable boot operations and configuration storage. Built-in clock circuitry provides Stratum-3 timing capabilities with building integrated timing supply (BITS) input and output functionality for telecommunications-grade timing distribution.

Software Capabilities and Protocol Support

The ASR1000-RP2 operates on Cisco IOS XE software platform, providing comprehensive Layer 3 routing protocols including OSPF, BGP, EIGRP, and RIP with advanced features for enterprise and service provider environments. The system supports multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) with full traffic engineering capabilities, enabling sophisticated traffic management and quality of service implementations. Advanced security features include comprehensive IPsec support with IKE negotiation, maintaining IP security for encrypted communications across WAN connections. The processor provides extensive support for network virtualization technologies including VRF-Lite and MPLS VPNs for service provider applications.

Redundancy and High Availability Features

The route processor incorporates sophisticated redundancy mechanisms including Route Processor Redundancy (RPR) and stateful switchover (SSO) capabilities for maintaining network availability during component failures or maintenance activities. The system supports both hardware redundancy with dual route processors and software redundancy options for single route processor solutions, providing flexibility for different deployment requirements. Nonstop Forwarding (NSF) capabilities ensure continuous packet forwarding during control plane switchovers, minimizing service disruption during failover events. The processor includes comprehensive monitoring and management features for tracking system health and performance metrics across all components.

ASR 1000 Series Family Comparison

Within the ASR 1000 series route processor family, the ASR1000-RP2 provides enhanced capabilities compared to the original RP1 model, offering increased memory scalability and BITS output functionality. The Route Processor 2 supports up to 16 GB DRAM compared to 4 GB on the RP1, making it suitable for larger scale deployments requiring extensive routing table capacity. The newer ASR1000-RP3 offers even greater performance with up to 64 GB DRAM and enhanced processing capabilities for the most demanding applications. All models in the ASR 1000 series share the same Cisco IOS XE software platform and management interfaces, ensuring consistent operational procedures and investment protection across different performance tiers.

At Network Republic, our end-user accounts are covered by a 1-Year Warranty on all hardware—whether New, New Open Box, New Pull, Refurbished, or Refurbished by Manufacturer —from the date of delivery. This warranty covers hardware defects under normal use and allows for repair, replacement, or in-house credit at our discretion.

For resellers and wholesale purchases, we offer a 30-Day Warranty limited strictly to functional issues or defects upon arrival, including dead-on-arrival (DOA) items; it does not apply to problems arising after prolonged use. Resellers are responsible for inspecting and testing products within the 30-day window. This warranty excludes accidental damage, misuse, cosmetic wear, third-party modifications, and software-related issues unrelated to hardware failure. Check out our full warranty policy here.

Software licenses are not covered under the standard return and warranty policies and need to be activated on the hardware within 7 days of receipt. Any issues need to be reported immediately, within 10 days, so we can issue an exchange. Under no circumstances will refunds be issued for software licenses.