Cisco Cisco CRS-X Multishelf System Datenbogen

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Data Sheet

Cisco CRS Multichassis System

The Cisco

Carrier Routing System (CRS) offers industry-leading performance,

advanced services intelligence, environmentally conscious design, and system
longevity. The Cisco CRS is powered by a chipset architecture based on
multidimensional engineering and Cisco IOS

XR Software, a unique self-healing,

distributed operating system.

The increasing demand for bandwidth, propelled by new devices, cloud technologies, machine-to-machine

communication, and media-rich applications, presents a capacity challenge in core networks. Expanding the core

capacity with the Cisco CRS is a transparent, cost-effective process. Built for the next generation of Internet

technologies, the Cisco CRS delivers continuous, always-on operations, capable of scaling from a single-chassis

deployment into a massive multichassis system.

Scaling from a single-chassis to a multichassis system allows service providers to expand their network without

increasing the complexity of their routing architecture. A Cisco CRS multichassis system consists of two major

elements: a line card chassis (LCC) and a fabric card chassis (FCC). The LCC hosts performer route processor

(PRP) cards, the first and third stages of switch fabric cards, and line cards that provide the physical interface and

process data packets. The FCC hosts the second stage of the switch fabric cards. The LCC and FCC are

connected by a set of optical cables. Expanding your core network capacity is a smooth process for the Cisco

CRS, supported by in-service hardware and software upgrades.

Network capacity can be increased in incremental steps with the back-to-back capabilities of the Cisco CRS 8-Slot

and CRS16-Slot Line Card Chassis. When more network capacity is needed, chassis can be added to the system

without complicating the network architecture. Existing CRS 8-slot LCCs can be paired back to back and are

scalable to match the capacity of a CRS 16-slot LCC. With these capabilities, the CRS system offers an

unprecedented level of investment protection.

A Cisco CRS 16-slot back-to-back system (Figure 1) allows network operators to double the network capacity

without the need for an FCC to handle the multidirectional data flow. A back-to-back system is also called a 2+0

system because it includes two LCCs and zero FCCs. A CRS back-to-back multichassis system provides the same

capacity and capabilities as a traditional 2+1 multichassis deployment (two LCCs and one FCC). The 2+0 back-to-

back system has all the benefits of a 2+1 multichassis system while mitigating capital expenditures (CapEx) and

operating expenses (OpEx) by eliminating the immediate need for an FCC. Pairing two LCCs to create a CRS

back-to-back system does not require any dedicated slots for interconnection; switch fabric cards and optical

cables connect the chassis to form a single logical system that maintains full bandwidth between chassis.