Cisco CISCO7206VXR
Cisco 7206VXR, 6-slot chassis
Product Highlights
What's Included
Chassis only, Power supply not included
When your network infrastructure demands a flexible, modular routing platform that can be tailored to exact requirements, the CISCO7206VXR delivers. This 6-slot router chassis from the Cisco 7200 VXR Series provides a proven foundation for enterprise WAN aggregation, service provider edge, and multiservice deployments.
The Cisco 7206VXR chassis features six port adapter slots, a dedicated I/O controller slot, and a network processing engine (NPE) or network services engine (NSE) slot — eight total expansion slots that let you build precisely the router you need. Its rack-mountable 3U form factor fits standard 19-inch cabinets, and Online Insertion and Removal (OIR) support means you can hot-swap port adapters without disrupting traffic.
Dual power supply bays allow for redundant, load-sharing power configurations for high-availability environments. All major components — processor, memory, power supplies, I/O controllers, and port adapters — are field-replaceable, keeping mean time to repair low and operational uptime high. Please note: this listing is for the chassis only with rackmount kit (ACS-7200-RMK); power supply, NPE, I/O controller, and port adapters are sold separately. The Cisco 7200 VXR Series is an End-of-Life product; pre-owned units remain a cost-effective option for maintaining or expanding existing 7200-based networks.
Features & Benefits
Modular 6-Slot Architecture
The CISCO7206VXR provides six port adapter slots that accept a broad portfolio of Cisco 7200-compatible LAN, WAN, and voice port adapters. This modularity lets you configure the exact interface mix your network requires — from Gigabit Ethernet and Fast Ethernet to serial, ATM, and Packet over SONET — without replacing the entire platform.
Hot-Swappable, Field-Serviceable Design
Online Insertion and Removal (OIR) allows port adapters to be added, removed, or replaced while the router is running, minimizing downtime during upgrades or maintenance. Every major subsystem — processor, memory, power supply, I/O controller, and port adapters — is independently field-replaceable, reducing mean time to repair and total cost of ownership.
Redundant Power Support
The chassis accommodates up to two power supplies of the same type (AC or DC) in a hot-swappable, load-sharing configuration. This redundancy ensures the router continues to operate even if one power supply fails — a critical requirement for production network environments. Power supplies are sold separately for this chassis-only listing.
Compact Rack-Mountable Form Factor
At just 3U (5.25" H × 16.8" W × 17" D), the Cisco 7206VXR fits efficiently into standard 19-inch racks. The included rackmount kit (ACS-7200-RMK) provides everything needed for secure rack installation, and the chassis supports both side-to-side and front-to-back airflow mounting options.
Deployment Scenarios
Enterprise WAN Aggregation
The Cisco 7206VXR serves as a WAN aggregation router at enterprise headquarters or regional hub sites. Its six port adapter slots allow simultaneous termination of multiple WAN links — serial, T1/E1, T3/E3, or ATM — consolidating connectivity into a single, manageable platform.
Service Provider Edge / Managed CPE
Service providers have deployed the 7200 VXR Series as managed customer premises equipment (CPE) or at the provider edge. The modular architecture allows each chassis to be configured to match the customer's specific interface and bandwidth requirements without stocking multiple fixed-configuration routers.
Lab, Test, and Legacy Network Maintenance
For organizations maintaining existing Cisco 7200-based networks or running certification labs, a pre-owned CISCO7206VXR chassis provides a cost-effective way to source replacement hardware or expand lab environments without the expense of new-generation equipment.
General
Expansion / Slots
Midplane / Bus
Physical
Power
Environmental
Field-Replaceable Components
Compliance / Certifications
Compatibility Notes
Important — Chassis Only: This listing includes the bare CISCO7206VXR chassis and one rackmount kit (ACS-7200-RMK). A network processing engine (NPE) or network services engine (NSE), an I/O controller, at least one power supply, and port adapters must be ordered separately to build a functional router.
Compatible Network Processing Engines: NPE-225, NPE-400, NPE-G1, NPE-G2, NSE-1 (different NPEs support different throughput levels and Cisco IOS feature sets).
Compatible I/O Controllers: C7200-I/O, C7200-I/O-2FE/E, C7200-I/O-FE-MII, C7200-I/O-GE+E.
Power Supplies: Accepts AC-input (PWR-7200-AC) or DC-input power supplies. Dual supplies of the same type provide redundancy. Mixed AC/DC is not supported.
Software: Requires Cisco IOS. Minimum supported release varies by NPE — consult the Cisco Hardware/Software Compatibility Matrix for your specific NPE.
Downloads & Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
| Part Number | Product | Key Difference |
|---|---|---|
| CISCO7204VXR | Cisco 7204VXR 4-Slot Chassis | 4 port adapter slots vs. 6 — smaller footprint for deployments requiring fewer interfaces |
| 7206VXR/NPE-G1 | Cisco 7206VXR with NPE-G1 Bundle | Pre-bundled with NPE-G1 processor and I/O controller — ready to deploy out of the box |
| 7206VXR/NPE-G2 | Cisco 7206VXR with NPE-G2 Bundle | Includes the higher-performance NPE-G2 engine with 3 GigE/FE/E ports and IP software |
| CISCO7206VXR-DC | Cisco 7206VXR 6-Slot Chassis (DC) | Same chassis but ships with 1 DC power supply — suited for telco/DC-powered environments |
