Cisco ASR 1000 as voice gateway, WAN edge router, and internet router

[lieuyong10]

Hi all, just wonder if it is possible to use Cisco ASR 1000 series router to function as a voice gateway (connected via 2 E1 links to PSTN), WAN edge router (connected to MPLS VPN WAN), and internet router (connected to Internet) ?
Thanks:)

[Collin Clark · Accepted solution]

You can. Here's a quote from the ASR1000 datasheet-

Next-generation voice and multimedia example: Cisco Unified Border Element (SP Edition):

The SBC application (named Cisco Unified Border Element [SP Edition]) performs the voice and video gateway functions simultaneously with regular IP data services. No appliance or additional service blade is required. The control protocols and media protocols work transparently within a complex voice architecture.

Hope it helps

[lieuyong10]

Hi Collin,
Thanks a lot!

Is there any disadvantage when using Cisco ASR as voice gateway, WAN edge router, and internet router when compared with traditional deployment such as 1 Cisco ISR router for voice gateway, and 1 Cisco ISR router for wan edge and internet?

[Collin Clark]

I don't think there are any disadvantages. Providing all three services on a single router is nice. You can add as much redundancy as you like, you only have a single platform to manage, etc. The ASR has a ton of power so that shouldn't be a concern. IOS XE has some minor differences from IOS, but nothing too bad.