Bandwidth limit of ASR9K + MOD160-TR + 2xMPA-8X10GE

sa17 · ‎01-04-2022

We have the following hardware in ASR 9006 (fans and PSU skipped):

RP/0/RSP0/CPU0:asr#admin show platform
Node            Type                      State            Config State
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
0/RSP0/CPU0     A9K-RSP-4G(Active)        IOS XR RUN       PWR,NSHUT,MON
0/RSP1/CPU0     A9K-RSP-4G(Standby)       IOS XR RUN       PWR,NSHUT,MON
0/2/CPU0        A9K-MOD160-TR             IOS XR RUN       PWR,NSHUT,MON
0/2/0           A9K-MPA-8X10GE            OK               PWR,NSHUT,MON
0/2/1           A9K-MPA-8X10GE            OK               PWR,NSHUT,MON

We had 8 x 10 gbps in a single bundle-ether (four ports out of eight were used on each MPA-8X10GE).
Some days ago we exceeded 80 gbps.
There were rumours that it's maximum capacity for our MOD160. But we added two more ports (now five out of eight ports are used on each MPA-8X10GE), and this seems to work: now it routes 86 gbps (86 in, 86 out).

What maximum routing bandwidth can we expect? Can we achieve 160 gbps just by stuffing more sfp+ modules in it?

Giuseppe Larosa · ‎01-04-2022

Hello @sa17 ,

>> Can we achieve 160 gbps just by stuffing more sfp+ modules in it?

I do think so.

We should examine datasheet but the A9K-160-TR should be able.

Edit:

the datasheet is here:

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/routers/asr-9000-series-aggregation-services-routers/data_sheet_c78-663866.html

Edit 2:

from Cisco Live: ASR9000 architecture

https://www.ciscolive.com/c/dam/r/ciscolive/us/docs/2018/pdf/BRKARC-2003.pdf

Hope to help

Giuseppe

sa17 · ‎01-05-2022

Thank you for reply.

the datasheet is here:
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/routers/asr-9000-series-aggregation-services-routers/data_sheet_c78-663866.html

This document does not mention bandwidth.

from Cisco Live: ASR9000 architecture
https://www.ciscolive.com/c/dam/r/ciscolive/us/docs/2018/pdf/BRKARC-2003.pdf

I have read these supplemental materials for learning courses, but they puzzle more than help. They don't answer a direct question like I asked here.

Two years ago, we tried to use A9K-MOD80-TR, and it didn't sustain around 50-60 gbps, so we had to buy MOD160. We still don't clearly understand why.