Cisco 5940 Series Embedded Services Router Data Sheet

The Cisco^® 5900 Series Embedded Services Routers (ESRs) are optimized for mobile and embedded networks that require IP routing and services. The flexible, compact form factor of the Cisco 5900 Routers, complemented by Cisco IOS^® Software and Cisco Mobile Ready Net capabilities, provide highly secure data, voice, and video communications to stationary and mobile network nodes across wired and wireless links.

The Cisco 5940 ESR is a high-performance, ruggedized router designed for use in harsh environments—offering reliable operation in extreme temperatures and under shock and vibration conditions typical for mobile applications in rugged terrain. With onboard hardware encryption, the Cisco 5940 ESR offloads encryption processing from the router engine to provide highly secure yet scalable video, voice, and data services for mobile and embedded outdoor networks. The router offers high performance, four Gigabit Ethernet interfaces, and a rich Cisco IOS Software feature set, providing investment protection for customers deploying bandwidth-intensive applications in mobile or embedded networks in public safety, transportation, defense, and energy markets.

The Cisco 5940 ESR is a 3U CompactPCI (CPCI) router card that is available in both air- and conduction-cooled models. At only 100 x 160 mm (roughly the size of a 4- x 6-in. photograph), the Cisco 5940 ESR solves critical size, weight, and power challenges. Cisco has an ecosystem of partners and systems integrators that embed Cisco 5900 Series Router Cards into industry-standard, commercially available enclosures and custom enclosures, tailored to the unique environments in which these routers are deployed. An optional rear transition module (RTM) is available for applications requiring access to the I/O connectors through standard RJ-45 connectors. Figures 1 and 2 show the Cisco 5940 ESR models.

Applications

You can use the Cisco 5940 ESR in a variety of applications, discussed in the following sections.

Mobile Networks

The Cisco 5940 ESR establishes a mobile network in vehicles, extending corporate resources securely to employees in the field within the public safety, transportation, and defense markets. It offers a scalable network platform, establishing a mobile network for first-responder vehicles, armored vehicles, and passenger and freight rail trains.

To ensure transparent connectivity to the roaming vehicle network, Cisco has integrated standards-based Mobile IP software into the Cisco IOS Software running on the Cisco 5940 ESR. Mobile IP allows transparent roaming over multiple wireless networks. For mission-critical mobile communications, you can deploy the Cisco 5940 ESR with the capability to take advantage of the Cisco Mobile Ready Net, with the following features:

●     Access to mission-critical information: Transparent access and transfer of voice, data, and video information

●     Infrastructure-less networking: Reaching beyond the range of a fixed network

●     Self-forming temporary ability: Immediate connection with no preconfiguration of peers required; no need for connectivity to centralized network

Embedded Networks

The Cisco 5940 ESR extends IP networks to outdoor locations when integrated into environmentally hardened cabinets or other outdoor infrastructures, enabling systems integrators to offer custom solutions tailored to meet their customers’ needs. Systems integrators also can embed the Cisco 5940 ESR into existing outdoor infrastructures such as border security systems to tie remote networks into a manageable, highly secure IP network. For example, the Cisco 5940 ESR provides a high-performance router for aggregating peripheral devices onto an IP network, including video surveillance cameras and chemical sensors.

On-Demand Network Connectivity

In disaster situations, regular network connectivity is often not available because of damaged network infrastructure or the lack of network capacity. In these situations, the Cisco 5940 ESR provides on-demand network connectivity for homeland-security and emergency-response applications. Government response teams and tactical military teams must have a versatile network platform with the following characteristics:

●   High performance in a small form factor

●   Portability

●   Low power consumption

●   Ability to handle harsh environments

●   Sophisticated networking capabilities such as quality of service (QoS) to ensure the most important data gets through when links are degraded, and security to protect the network and the data transmitted over the network

The Cisco 5940 ESR offers this versatility, based on industry standards that take advantage of the rich ecosystem of complementary systems and products.

Main Features and Benefits

Table 1 outlines the features and benefits of the Cisco 5940 ESR.

Table 1.       Features and Benefits of Cisco 5940 ESR

Product Specifications

Tables 2 through 4 list hardware, software, and dimensional specifications for the Cisco 5940 ESR.

Table 2.       Hardware Specifications for Cisco 5940 ESR

Table 3.       Software Specifications for Cisco 5940 ESR

Table 4.   Dimensions of Cisco 5940 ESR

Ordering Information

To place an order, visit the Cisco Ordering Home Page and refer to Table 5.

Table 5.       Ordering Information for Cisco 5940 ESR

To Download the Software

Visit the Cisco Software Center to download Cisco IOS Software. A Cisco.com account is required to access this website. Table 6 lists the Cisco IOS Software images available for the Cisco 5940 ESR.

Table 6.       Cisco IOS Software Images for Cisco 5940 ESR

Service and Support

Realize the full business value of your technology investments with smart, personalized services from Cisco and our partners. Backed by deep networking expertise and a broad ecosystem of partners, Cisco Services enable you to successfully plan, build, and run your network as a powerful business platform. Whether you are looking to quickly seize new opportunities to meet rising customer expectations, improve operational efficiency to lower costs, mitigate risk, or accelerate growth, we have a service that can help you.

For more information about Cisco Services, refer to Cisco Technical Support Services or
Cisco Advanced Services.

For More Information

For more information about the Cisco 5940 Embedded Services Router, visit http://www.cisco.com/go/5900 or contact your local Cisco account representative.

For more information about Cisco Mobile Ready Net, visit https://www.cisco.com/web/strategy/government/defense_adhocmobility.html or contact your local Cisco account representative.