Cisco 8000 Series Secure Router Ethernet WAN Modules Data Sheet
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The Ethernet WAN modules for the Cisco® 8000 Series Secure Routers bring high-density Small Form-Factor Pluggable (SFP+ and SFP) connectivity, supporting 100-Mbps, 1-Gbps, and 10-Gbps Ethernet, to the 8000 Series. These modules provide robust, high-performance WAN connectivity, enabling secure and versatile network deployments for enterprises, small businesses, and service providers. With a strong focus on Layer 3 routing capabilities, these modules are ideal for extending secure WAN and Metro Ethernet links and are fully integrated with Cisco's SD-WAN solutions.
Moreover, Layer 3 ports available on these Network Interface Modules (NIMs) have complete feature parity with the router’s embedded WAN ports.
Cisco has introduced two new Ethernet WAN modules designed specifically for the Cisco 8000 Series Secure Routers:
● C-NIM-WAN-2X: Cisco 2-port 10-Gbps/1-Gbps WAN with 256-bit WAN MACsec (Figure 1)
● C-NIM-WAN-4S: Cisco 4-port 100-Mbps/1-Gbps WAN with 256-bit WAN MACsec (Figure 2)
C-NIM-WAN-2X: 2-port 1-Gbps/10-Gbps WAN NIM
The C-NIM-WAN-2X offers two 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GE) SFP+ WAN ports, providing flexible 1 Gigabit Ethernet (1GE) or 10GE speeds. It provides a price-effective option to instantly expand your WAN capabilities with two high-performance interfaces. This NIM helps future-proof your network by allowing scalable capacity while boosting performance and reliability for critical applications through enhanced connectivity and redundancy. Designed for seamless integration, the C-NIM-WAN-2X leverages your router's advanced security and SD-WAN intelligence, delivering agile, secure, and optimized connectivity for your enterprise.
C-NIM-WAN-4S: 4-port 100-Mbps/1-Gbps WAN
The C-NIM-WAN-4S offers four SFP ports supporting 100BASE-FX and 1000BASE-X fiber connections. The module supports 256-bit WAN MACsec and MAC filtering. It is designed to significantly expand your router's capacity, allowing for diverse connections, increased bandwidth aggregation, or robust link redundancy. The four 100-Mbps/1-Gbps WAN ports help ensure that your critical applications run smoothly and your network remains agile, all while seamlessly integrating with the 8000 Series' advanced security and SD-WAN intelligence for optimized and secure enterprise connectivity.
These Ethernet WAN modules are based on the technology of the onboard Gigabit Ethernet and SFP/SFP+ ports of the Cisco 8000 Series Secure Router platforms. Feature support will be identical to that of the onboard ports.
● Dedicated Layer 3 WAN functionality: Both modules are designed exclusively for Layer 3 routing, helping ensure optimal performance and maintaining clear WAN-only positioning. L3 feature parity aligns with FPGE/FTPE.
● Secure WAN connectivity with MACsec: Integrated WAN MACsec (256-bit) provides robust encryption for secure WAN and Metro Ethernet links, protecting data integrity and confidentiality across the network.
● Versatile port speeds and density:
◦ C-NIM-WAN-2X: Features two SFP+ ports supporting flexible 1-Gbps or 10-Gbps speeds, ideal for high-bandwidth applications.
◦ C-NIM-WAN-4S: Offers four SFP ports supporting 100-Mbps or 1-Gbps speeds, providing higher port density for diverse WAN access requirements.
● SD-WAN ready: Both modules are fully compatible with Cisco's SD-WAN solutions, allowing for simplified management, optimized application performance, and enhanced network agility.
● High-performance internal uplink: A 10GE internal uplink helps ensure high-speed data transfer within the router, minimizing bottlenecks and maximizing overall system performance.
● Flexible deployment: As NIMs, they offer modularity and can be installed in compatible Cisco 8000 Series Secure Routers. Up to three NIMs can be installed on the Cisco C8375-E-G2 router using the C-SM-NIM-ADPT adapter.
● Extensive transceiver support: The modules support a wide range of SFP and SFP+ transceivers for compatibility with various fiber types and distances. For supported SFP transceivers refer to the Cisco Optics-to-Device Compatibility Matrix.
● Advanced features: Include MAC filtering capabilities for enhanced network control and security.
Table 1. Specifications
| Attribute |
Cisco 2-port 1-Gbps/10-Gbps WAN NIM C-NIM-WAN-2X |
Cisco 4-port 100-Mbps/1-Gbps WAN C-NIM-WAN-4S |
| Form factor |
NIM |
NIM |
| Platforms supported |
C8375-E-G2 C8235-E-G2 C8231-E-G2 |
C8375-E-G2 C8235-E-G2 C8231-E-G2 |
| Required Cisco IOS® Release |
17.18.1 or later |
17.18.1 or later |
| WAN connection |
1000BASE-X SFP |
100/1000M BASE-T |
| Ports |
2x SFP+ WAN ports |
4x SFP WAN ports |
| Power over Ethernet |
No |
No |
| MACsec support |
256-bit |
256-bit |
| Online insertion and removal |
Yes |
Yes |
| 10GE backplane connection to forwarding engine |
Yes |
Yes |
NIM density with C-SM-NIM-ADPT
The Gigabit Ethernet WAN modules are supported on the Cisco 8000 Series Secure Routers with an available NIM slot, specifically the C8231-E-G2, C8235-E-G2, and C8375-E-G2. You may deploy as many modules as the platform slot density allows. Table 2 shows the maximum NIM density possible per platform.
Table 2. NIM density for 8000 Series Secure Routers
| Platform |
NIM and Service Module (SM) slots |
Maximum supported NIMs with C-SM-NIM-ADPT |
| C8231-E-G2 |
1 NIM |
SM adapter not supported |
| C8235-E-G2 |
1 NIM |
SM adapter not supported |
| C8375-E-G2 |
1 NIM, 1 SM |
3x NIMs |
The Gigabit Ethernet WAN modules have several EN (enabled) or L (link) LEDs located around the SFP and SFP+ ports. The LEDs indicate that the module has passed its self-test and is available to the router.
Table 3. LED status indicators
| LED |
Color |
Description |
| EN |
Green/amber |
System status Off: No power. Green steady on: The module is powered on and is functioning correctly. Green blink: Boot-up phase or in ROM monitor mode. Amber steady on: The module has some failure. |
| SFP ports (C-NIM-WAN-4S) |
Green/amber |
LED L Off: Not present. Green steady on: Link up. Amber steady on: SFP is not supported or is in a fault state. |
| SFP+ ports (C-NIM-WAN-2X) |
Green/amber |
SFP+ status Off: No SFP detected or inserted. Green steady on: SFP is powered up and enabled, no activity. Green blink: SFP is powered up and enabled, active. Amber steady on: The module has some failure. |
You can install service modules and network modules either before or after mounting the router. Key features to note:
Online insertion and removal: When installing in a NIM slot, both online insertion and online removal are supported.
Multiple NIMs supported per chassis: The C8375-E-G2 can support up to three units of C-NIM-WAN-2X/C-NIM-WAN-4S in any combination with the C-SM-NIM-ADPT.
Warning: To comply with the Telcordia GR-1089 Network Equipment Building Standards (NEBS) for electromagnetic compatibility and safety, connect the Gigabit Ethernet ports only to intrabuilding or unexposed wiring or cable. The intrabuilding cable must be shielded and the shield must be grounded at both ends. The intrabuilding port(s) of the equipment or subassembly must not be metallically connected to interfaces that connect to the Outside Plant (OSP) or its wiring. These interfaces are designed for use as intrabuilding interfaces for Type 2 or Type 4 ports only, as described in Telcordia GR-1089-CORE, and they require isolation from the exposed OSP cabling. The addition of primary protectors is not sufficient protection to be able to connect these interfaces metallically to OSP wiring.
Hardware Installation Guide: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/routers/secure-routers/interface-modules/hardware-installation-guide/installing-the-cisco-nim-2x-4s-module.html
Software Configuration Guide: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/routers/secure-routers/interface-modules/software-config-guide/c-nim-2x-4s-scg-book.html
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