Cisco AS54-DFC-CT3A
AS5400 CT3A DFC card
Product Highlights
Maintaining high-density voice and data infrastructure on legacy Cisco AS5400-series gateways requires reliable, purpose-built trunk cards — and sourcing them after end-of-life can be a challenge.
The Cisco AS54-DFC-CT3A is the CT3A-revision Dial Feature Card (DFC) designed for the Cisco AS5400 and AS5400HPX Universal Gateway platforms. As a plug-in expansion module, it provides physical T-3 line termination via BNC connectors and includes bantam jacks for non-intrusive monitoring of individual T1 circuits within the channelized T3 stream. The card supports up to 672 DS0 channels, enabling high-capacity voice, fax, and data services over a single CT3 trunk.
The AS54-DFC-CT3A is the updated revision of the earlier AS54-DFC-CT3 trunk card and is fully supported on the Cisco AS5400XM Universal Gateway. It slots into any available DFC expansion slot in the chassis, making it straightforward to add or replace CT3 trunk capacity. Whether you are sustaining a carrier-class point-of-presence (POP) or an enterprise TDM-to-IP migration environment, this card delivers the density and reliability the AS5400 platform is known for.
Note: The Cisco AS5400 series has been retired by Cisco (End-of-Life). This card is available as a replacement spare for existing deployments.
Features & Benefits
Channelized T3 Trunk Connectivity
The AS54-DFC-CT3A provides a full channelized T3 interface, multiplexing up to 28 T1 lines into a single CT3 trunk. This delivers high-density port capacity — up to 672 DS0 channels — in a single card slot, maximizing chassis utilization and reducing per-port costs.
Built-In Monitoring via Bantam Jacks
Two front-panel bantam jacks allow non-intrusive monitoring of individual T1 signals within the CT3 stream. Network engineers can perform line testing and diagnostics without taking the trunk offline, reducing troubleshooting time and minimizing service disruption.
Plug-In Expansion Module
Designed as a hot-swappable plug-in module, the AS54-DFC-CT3A installs into any DFC slot in the AS5400-series chassis. Online insertion and removal (OIR) support simplifies maintenance and capacity upgrades without requiring a full system reboot.
Multi-Service Voice Gateway Support
The card integrates with the AS5400 platform's voice, fax, and data service architecture. Combined with the appropriate DSP feature cards, it enables IP-based voice (VoIP), fax-over-IP, and dial-access services — making it a critical component for carrier POP and enterprise TDM gateway deployments.
Deployment Scenarios
Carrier Point-of-Presence (POP) Gateway
Service providers operating legacy Cisco AS5400-based POPs use the AS54-DFC-CT3A to terminate high-density CT3 trunks from the PSTN. The card's 672-channel capacity supports large-scale voice and dial-access aggregation in a compact form factor.
Enterprise TDM-to-IP Migration
Enterprises maintaining TDM voice infrastructure alongside IP networks rely on the AS5400 gateway with CT3 DFC cards to bridge legacy PBX and PSTN connections to VoIP. The AS54-DFC-CT3A provides the trunk interface needed to sustain these hybrid environments.
Replacement Spare for EOL Deployments
With the AS5400 series officially retired by Cisco, organizations still running these gateways need replacement trunk cards to maintain uptime. The AS54-DFC-CT3A serves as a direct spare to restore or expand CT3 capacity without a full platform migration.
General
Interfaces & Connectivity
Physical
Compatibility
Compatibility Notes
Compatible Platforms:
- Cisco AS5400XM Universal Gateway
- Cisco AS5400HPX Universal Gateway
Revision Note: The AS54-DFC-CT3A is the updated revision of the AS54-DFC-CT3. The AS5400XM also supports AS54-DFC-CT3 trunk cards shipped after January 2005 (board revision 73-4089-07 or higher). Older AS54-DFC-CT3 cards are not supported on the AS5400XM.
EOL Status: The Cisco AS5400 series (including AS5400XM and AS5400HPX) has been retired and is no longer sold or supported by Cisco. This card is available as a secondary-market replacement spare.
Downloads & Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
| Part Number | Product | Key Difference |
|---|---|---|
| AS54-DFC-CT3 | AS5400 CT3 DFC Card (Original Revision) | Earlier revision of the CT3 DFC; only cards shipped after Jan 2005 (rev 73-4089-07+) are compatible with the AS5400XM. |
| AS54-DFC-2CT1 | AS5400 2-Port T1/PRI DFC Card | Lower-density option with 2 channelized T1/PRI ports instead of a full CT3 trunk; suited for smaller deployments. |
| AS54-DFC-4CT1 | AS5400 4-Port T1 DFC Card | Mid-density trunk card with 4 T1 ports; offers more granular T1 connectivity vs. the aggregated CT3 approach. |
| AS54-DFC-8CT1 | AS5400 8-Port T1 DFC Card | Higher T1 port count (8 ports) but still below the 28-T1 equivalent density of a single CT3 trunk card. |