Cisco A900-RSP3C-400-W
ASR 900 Route Switch Processor 3, 400G, XL Scale, Wide
Product Highlights
Service provider and enterprise aggregation networks demand route switch processors that can keep pace with growing bandwidth requirements while operating in challenging environments. The Cisco A900-RSP3C-400-W is the wide form-factor Route Switch Processor 3 (RSP3C) engineered specifically for the Cisco ASR 907 chassis, delivering 400G throughput with XL Scale service tables and wide-temperature resilience.
At the heart of the ASR 900 Series architecture, the RSP3C serves as the centralized engine handling control-plane processing, data-plane packet forwarding, and network timing functions. Its dedicated Carrier Ethernet ASIC delivers up to 480 Gbps of maximum interface throughput and 600 Mpps forwarding performance for both IPv4 and IPv6 traffic — making it ideal for converged networks running MPLS, Carrier Ethernet, and advanced traffic engineering.
Designed for outside-plant cabinets, remote CO locations, and other sites where environmental control is limited, the wide-temperature rating ensures continuous operation where standard-temperature equipment cannot. With 8 GB DRAM and 8 GB flash, the A900-RSP3C-400-W supports the full breadth of Cisco IOS XE features, from L2/L3 VPNs to circuit emulation services. Whether you are scaling a metro Ethernet aggregation ring or converging TDM and packet services onto a single platform, this RSP delivers the performance and reliability service providers require.
Features & Benefits
High-Performance Packet Processing
The RSP3C features a dedicated Carrier Ethernet ASIC that separates data-plane forwarding from control-plane operations. This architecture delivers up to 480 Gbps maximum interface throughput and 600 Mpps forwarding for both IPv4 and IPv6, ensuring wire-rate performance even under heavy traffic loads.
XL Scale Service Tables
The XL Scale designation provides enlarged forwarding and service tables compared to standard-scale RSP variants. This enables large-scale deployments of MPLS L2/L3 VPNs, Carrier Ethernet services, and extensive routing table entries — critical for service providers managing thousands of customer circuits.
Wide-Temperature Resilience
Rated for extended operating temperature ranges, the A900-RSP3C-400-W is purpose-built for deployment in outdoor cabinets, remote central offices, and other environments where climate control is limited or unavailable. This eliminates the need for costly HVAC infrastructure at remote aggregation sites.
Converged Ethernet & TDM Support
The RSP3C is compatible with a broad portfolio of Cisco ASR 900 interface modules spanning 100GE, 40GE, 10GE, and 1GE Ethernet as well as TDM/SONET/SDH and CEM modules. This allows operators to converge legacy TDM services and modern Ethernet traffic onto a single platform, simplifying network architecture and reducing operational costs.
Carrier-Class Cisco IOS XE
Running Cisco IOS XE Software, the RSP3C benefits from a modular, resilient software architecture designed for always-on service provider environments. IOS XE delivers feature velocity, in-service software upgrades, and robust process isolation to minimize the blast radius of any software fault.
Deployment Scenarios
Metro Ethernet Aggregation
Deploy the A900-RSP3C-400-W in ASR 907 chassis at metro aggregation nodes to consolidate high-density 10GE and 100GE uplinks from access rings. The 400G throughput and XL Scale tables support thousands of Carrier Ethernet EVCs and MPLS pseudowires across a metro footprint.
TDM-to-Packet Migration
Service providers transitioning legacy SONET/SDH and TDM circuits to packet-based transport can leverage the RSP3C's compatibility with both Ethernet and TDM/CEM interface modules. This enables a phased migration strategy on a single ASR 907 platform, protecting existing revenue streams while building out next-generation services.
Outdoor / Remote Aggregation Sites
The wide-temperature rating makes this RSP ideal for deployment in street cabinets, cell-tower shelters, and remote CO locations where environmental conditions are uncontrolled. Operators avoid the capital and operational expense of dedicated cooling systems while maintaining carrier-class reliability.
Mobile Backhaul Aggregation
Aggregate traffic from multiple cell sites using high-density 10GE interface modules in the ASR 907 chassis. The RSP3C's MPLS and traffic engineering capabilities enable differentiated QoS for mobile backhaul, supporting SLA-driven transport for 4G/5G services.
General
Performance
Memory
Physical
Power
Environmental
Software
Chassis Compatibility
Lifecycle
Compatibility Notes
Chassis Compatibility
- ASR 907 — The A900-RSP3C-400-W (wide form factor) is designed exclusively for the Cisco ASR 907 chassis.
- For the ASR 903 chassis, use the small form-factor equivalent: A900-RSP3C-400-S.
Compatible Ethernet Interface Modules
- A900-IMA1C (1-Port 100GE CPAK)
- A900-IMA2F (2-Port 40GE QSFP)
- A900-IMA8Z (8-Port 10GE SFP+)
- A900-IMA2Z
- A900-IMA1X
- A900-IMA8S
- A900-IMA8S1Z
- A900-IMA8T
- A900-IMA8T1Z
- A900-IMA1Z8S-CXMS
Compatible TDM/ATM Interface Modules
- A900-IMA1Z8S-CX
- A900-IMA48D-C
- A900-IMA48T-C
- A900-IMA3G-IMSG
- A900-IMA1Z8S-CXMS
Software
- Requires Cisco IOS XE Software. TDM/CEM module support was added in IOS XE Release 3.18SP.
- Interface module and protocol support depends on the combination of RSP version, chassis, software version, and slot number. Consult the Cisco ASR 900 Series Interface Modules Datasheet for the full compatibility matrix.
Important Note
- Interface module slot compatibility varies. Refer to the Cisco ASR 900 Series release notes for your target IOS XE version for detailed slot-level restrictions.
Downloads & Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
| Part Number | Product | Key Difference |
|---|---|---|
| A900-RSP3C-400-S | ASR 900 RSP3C 400G XL Scale (Small/Non-Wide) | Same 400G/XL Scale capabilities in small form factor for the ASR 903 chassis instead of ASR 907. |
| A900-RSP3C-200-S | ASR 900 RSP3C 200G (Small) | Lower 200G throughput tier for ASR 903; suitable for smaller aggregation deployments with reduced bandwidth needs. |
| A900-RSP2A-128 | ASR 900 RSP2A 128G | Previous-generation RSP with 128G throughput; lower scale and performance but may serve legacy or smaller deployments. |