The Cisco ASR 901 Series Aggregation Services Routers are hardened, high-speed, low-power-consumption routers optimized for any-generation cell-site Radio Access Network (RAN) backhaul and Ethernet access. By using Cisco ASR 901 routers, operators can reduce backhaul operating costs, simplify and converge their RAN and Ethernet access networks, and enhance their profit opportunities with mobile and premium Ethernet services.

RAN cell sites are places of transformation between mobile radio and mobile transport networks. Cost-effective RAN backhaul requires the ability to securely aggregate the transport of traffic from both traditional and next‑generation radios across multiple transport options available at the cell site, be they macro, pico, or enterprise small cells. The Cisco ASR 901 routers are designed to minimize operating costs and optimize this radio-to-transport transformation through scalable time-division multiplexing (TDM) and IP/Ethernet interfaces for any combination of multivendor, multigeneration radios and transport networks.

Product Overview

The Cisco ASR 901 Series Aggregation Services Routers are compact cell-site and Ethernet access routers specifically designed to clock, aggregate, and backhaul mixed-generation RAN traffic. Cisco ASR 901 routers prioritize and process cell-site voice, data, and signaling traffic as part of the Cisco Unified RAN Backhaul solution for reliable transport across any available backhaul networks, including T1/E1, ATM, Carrier Ethernet, microwave, WiMAX, and service provider Wi-Fi networks.

Designed for cell sites and Carrier Ethernet access, the Cisco ASR 901 differentiating features include:

●   Low power consumption

●   Line rate performance for all Layer 2 and Layer 3 interfaces

●   Flexible clocking options: TDM, Building Integrated Timing Supply (BITS), GPS (10Mhz, 1PPS/ToD),1588v2, and Synchronous Ethernet (SyncE)

●   Secure Mobile Transport: with IPSec and Network Address Port Translation (NAPT)

●   Extended operating temperatures

●   Small form factor: 1 rack unit (RU) with 8.3 - 9.1 in. depth

●   Redundant power and cooling

●   Pay-as-you-grow investment model