Router with maximum SFP support

[mo shea]

Hi

Is there any existing cisco router that accepts at least 6 SFP modules. I have six incoming fiber connections each on a different subnet that I'd want to NAT to different subnets. I thought that a 3750 12S would do the job but it turned out that it doesnt support NAT. A 6500 would do but I am looking for a budget solution. I think it is possible to use a 3750 12S and connect it to a router or firewall via trunk and use subinterfaces then NAT these interfaces. But doing this on a single box, perhaps a router or firewall would be great.

All help is appreciated.

Thanks

[Leo Laohoo · Accepted solution]

What's the speed of each of the fibre ports?

The 3945/E can support multiple SM-2GE-SFP-CU.

If you are going to say that you want to push 1 Gbps per fibre optic, then you need to be looking at the ASR 1004 with RP2 and ESP 20. 

[Reza Sharifi · Accepted solution]

Hi,

If you get a 3945E, it comes with 2 on board fiber SFP ports.  You can then add 2 of the cards Leo mentioned to get to 6 ports total.

HTH

[Joseph W. Doherty · Accepted solution]

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Posting

How much sustained throughput are you looking for while supporting your 6 gig ports?  3945E can struggle with even with single gig, let alone 6 gig.  For the latter, you'll probably want to start with the ASR series.

[mo shea]

Thanks for the feedback, very helpful.

I am not expecting full 6 Gig traffic at the same time, probably two fiber links will be hovering close to the 1 gig limit at a time. Even the other end of the NAT device connecting to our Data Center is still 1 Gig, so even if the sustained input is 6 gig, output will still remain at 1G.

The ASR 1004 is out of our budget range, and after a quick price lookup I found that a 3945 with 2 SFP cards is more or less the same as a 3750 12S + ASA 5520, so I need advice on the disadvantages of the two solutions, single box versus two.

Thanks again

[Joseph W. Doherty]

Disclaimer

The   Author of this posting offers the information contained within this   posting without consideration and with the reader's understanding that   there's no implied or expressed suitability or fitness for any purpose.   Information provided is for informational purposes only and should not   be construed as rendering professional advice of any kind. Usage of  this  posting's information is solely at reader's own risk.

Liability Disclaimer

In   no event shall Author be liable for any damages whatsoever (including,   without limitation, damages for loss of use, data or profit) arising  out  of the use or inability to use the posting's information even if  Author  has been advised of the possibility of such damage.

Posting

Again, a 3945E can struggle with sustained gig, which is why (in the attached white paper) Cisco only recommends it for up to 350 Mbps.  (Cisco's recommendation is very conservative, but you should be aware of it.)

The difference between routers and switches and firewalls is feature orientation (and performance).  A 3750 switch can handle gig easily.  I'm unsure of the performance of the ASA, but I suspect it's somewhere between a typical L2/L3 switch and a software based router.  (An ASR 1000 might be faster than any/most ASAs, but again, unsure.)

Otherwise, perhaps the biggest difference between single box vs. two, you have two devices to manage and support rather than one.  Depending on deployment, you have two that might fail rather than one.

Personally, I wouldn't be too concerned about one vs. two devices, I would focus on are your requirements being meet for the budget you working under.

[Leo Laohoo]

Please be aware that there are TWO (2) distinct models of the 3945:  "Plain" and the one that ends with "E".

I understand your concern that the price of the ASR is out-of-reach.  Budget speaks louder than words, unfortunately.

Take our "warning" to management and get them to sign-off on it.