Router Hardware Management Guide for Cisco 8000 Series Routers, Cisco IOS XR Releases

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Router Hardware Management Guide for Cisco 8000 Series Routers, Cisco IOS XR Releases

Compatibility mode for various NPU types

Updated: July 1, 2026

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Explains the compatibility mode that allows line cards based on different NPU types to coexist on the same Cisco 8000 series router, and details the resulting boot and operational behavior for each scenario.

Compatibility mode for NPU types is a functionality that:

  • allows you to configure the operational mode of line cards within a router, and

  • enables interoperability and performance optimization when mixing different generations of NPU-based hardware.

Table 1. Feature history table

Feature Name

Release Information

Description

Configure Compatibility Mode for P200-based Line Cards

Release 25.4.1

You can now configure the compatibility settings for line cards installed in a router to operate in P200 mode. When P200 mode is enabled, only F100-based Fabric Cards (FCs) and P200-based line cards are supported.

To enable the P200 NPU mode, use the hw-module profile npu-compatibility command.

Optimizing NPU Mode Compatibility for Route Processor Upgrades

 Release 24.1.1

When installing Route Processor (RP) cards from different NPU modes or NPU families, the system prioritizes newer generations over older generations. Upgrading to a newer RP, like the 8800-RP2, maintains performance by allowing the use of the Q200 NPU mode without needing to revert to Q100 NPU mode.

You can switch to a different NPU mode by using the hw-module profile npu-compatibility command.

Configure Compatibility Mode for Q100 and Q200-based Line Cards

Release 7.7.1

You can now configure the compatibility behavior of line cards to operate in Q100 mode (default behavior) or in Q200 mode when you have a mix of Q100-based line cards and Q200-based line cards that are installed in a router.

In earlier releases, in a mixed mode combination, if multiple generations of line cards were installed on a distributed chassis, the second-generation line cards interoperated with the first-generation line cards. As as result, the NPUs to set lower resource limits for the newer generation line cards to ensure backward compatibility. The router couldn't fully use the improved scale, higher capacity, and enhanced features of the newer generation line cards.

This compatibility feature now enables you to select if you want the line cards to operate in Q100 or Q200 NPU mode.

The hw-module profile npu-compatibility command is introduced for this feature.

This table details the old and the new behavior when a mix of line cards from different NPUs is installed on a router.

Scenario

If..

Then..

Example

Old behavior

you install a mix of Q100-based line cards and Q200-based line cards

the Q200-based line cards operate in a scaled-down (Q100) mode by default.

If a router has a Q100 NPU-based line card and you add a line card from the Q200 NPU-based line card, the Q200 NPU line card operates in a scaled down mode to work with the Q100 line cards.

New behavior

 you want line cards to operate in Q100 (default behavior), Q200, or P100 mode you can select the mode.

If you select Q200 mode, the router boots only the Q200-based line cards and gracefully shuts down the Q100-based line cards.

FAQs about the compatibility modes for various NPU types

  • Can the line cards still be used in scaled down mode, like in the previous scenario?

    Yes, you can still switch to the previous implementation, if you may, to the scaled down mode.

  • What all ASICs can participate in the compatibility mode implementation?

    P200, P100, Q200, Q100.

  • Is there any default ASIC set by the system?

    The ASIC default is based on the Fabric Cards (FCs) and route processor cards used in a distributed chassis. However, you can choose to change the ASIC mode to Q200, Q100, P100, or P200.

  • Do I need to reboot the router after implementing a new NPU mode?

    Yes, reboot the router for the new NPU mode to take effect.

  • What defines an NPU mode?

    The Route Processor determines NPU mode (RP) and the Fabric Card (FC). During the router boot-up process, it initially identifies the RP and the FC, setting the corresponding NPU mode regardless of the line cards present in the router.

Guidelines for NPU compatibility mode

These guidelines apply when you configure the line cards from different ASIC families.

Line card behavior

  • By default, a mix of Q100 and Q200 line cards results in the Q200 line cards operating in Q100 (scaled-down) mode. Configuring Q100 mode results in the same (default) behavior. Similarly, a mix of P100 and Q200 line cards results in the Q200 line cards operating in P100 (scaled-down) mode. Configuring P100 mode results in the same (default) behavior.

  • Reboot the router for the compatibility mode to take effect. If the system detects a non-compatible line card, it shuts down that line card. For example, in Q200 mode, the router boots only the Q200-based line cards and gracefully shuts down the Q100-based line cards.

  • If you have various line cards installed from different NPU families, the newer generation line cards take precedence over an older generation line card. The precedence followed by the system is: P200 > P100 > Q200 > Q100.

Optimizing line card performance

To use the improved scale, higher capacity, and feature-rich capabilities of the Q200-based line cards, use the hw-module profile npu-compatibility command and set it to operate in the Q200 mode. Else, the Q200-based line cards scale down to the Q100 mode, which is the default behavior. The same behavior applies to the P100-based line cards.

Fabric card behavior

  • 8800-RP Route Processor Card - if the router boots up with an 8800-RP route processor card without any fabric card, then the default mode is set to Q100.

  • 8800-RP2 Route Processor Card - if the router boots up with a 8800-RP2 route processor card without any fabric card, then the router sets the default mode to P100. If you insert a Q200 fabric card, then router reload is required.

  • Swapping Fabric Cards - if the router initially boots with Q200 fabric cards and you later replace them with F100 fabric cards, a router reload is necessary.

Route processor behavior

  • For 8800-RP, the default NPU mode is Q100. For 8800-RP2, the default NPU mode is Q200.

  • A newer generation Route Processor (RP) card takes precedence over an older generation RP card when installed from different NPU modes. The precedence followed by the system is: P200 > P100 > Q200 > Q100.

  • If you have Q200-based line cards and an older generation RP card (8800-RP) installed on your router, the router boots with Q100 ASIC mode for the line cards. However, you can change the ASIC mode from Q100 to Q200 by using the hw-module profile npu-compatibility command. Setting the ASIC mode to a newer generation ASIC allows you to use their improved scale, higher capacity, and feature-rich capabilities when you replace your RPs with a newer generation RP.

    For instance, if your router is equipped with an 8800-RP route processor card set to ASIC mode as Q200, upgrading to an 8800-RP2 RP card won't require changing the ASIC mode from Q100 to Q200.

Compatibility mode support on line cards

This table lists the Q100, Q200, P100-based, and P200 line cards that support the compatibility mode:

ASIC Family Line Card

Q100-based line cards

8800-LC-48H

8800-LC-36FH

Q200-based line cards

88-LC0-34H14FH

88-LC0-36FH

88-LC0-36FH-M
P100-based line cards

88-LC1-36EH

88-LC1-12TH24FH-E

88-LC1-52Y8H-EM

Restrictions for NPU compatibility mode

Restrictions for compatibility mode configuration

These restrictions apply when you configure the line cards from different ASIC families:

  • The hw-module profile npu-compatibility command isn't configurable on the Cisco 8200 Series fixed router and the Cisco 8608 router.

  • Q100-based ASIC is not supported with 8800-RP2-S.

  • P200-based ASIC.

Configure NPU compatibility mode

To configure a router for handling line cards of different NPU-based line cards, use the hw-module profile npu-compatibility command. To go back to the default mode, use the no form of this command.

These are the options available in command and their descriptions:

npu-compatibility

Allows you to make a router compatible with a NPU family.

mode-name

Allows you to set the mode, such as Q100, Q200, P100 , or P200.

Procedure

1.

Enter global configuration mode.

Example:

Router# configure
2.

Use the hw-module profile npu-compatibility command to define the operational NPU mode for the router. In this example, the NPU compatibility mode is set to Q200.

Example:

Router(config)#hw-module profile npu-compatibility q200
Tue Dec 7 15:06:53.697 UTC
3.

Save the changes.

Example:

Chassis mode will be activated after a manual reload of chassis/all line cards
Router:ios(config)#commit
4.

When prompted, reload the router.

Example:

Tue Dec 7 15:06:54.646 UTC
LC/0/1/CPU0:Dec 7 15:06:54.796 UTC: npu_drvr292:
%FABRIC-NPU_DRVR-3-HW_MODULE_PROFILE_NPU_COMPATIBILITY_CHASSIS_CFG_CHANGED : Please reload
chassis for the configuration to take effect
end
5.

Verify the running configuration and the software version. The Version field defines the software version.

Example:


Router# show ver
Mon Jun 27 19:25:52.947 UTC
Cisco IOS XR Software, Version 7.7.1.27I LNT
Copyright (c) 2013-2022 by Cisco Systems, Inc.

Build Information:
 Built By     : ingunawa
 Built On     : Wed Jun 01 23:50:09 UTC 2022
 Build Host   : iox-ucs-060
 Workspace    : /auto/iox-ucs-060-san1/prod/7.7.1.27I.SIT_IMAGE/8000/ws
 Version      : 7.7.1.27I
 Label        : 7.7.1.27I

cisco 8000 (VXR)
cisco 8808 (VXR) processor with 32GB of memory
ios uptime is 3 minutes
Cisco 8808 8-slot Chassis

Router#

Router# conf
Mon Jun 27 19:24:40.621 
Router(config)#hw-module profile npu-compatibility ?
  
  P100  Use P100 for Chassis mode
  Q100  Use Q100 for Chassis mode
  Q200  Use Q200 for Chassis mode
6.

Verify the compatibility matrix on the router.

Example:

Router# show hw-module profile npu-compatibility matrix
Wed Nov 17 02:00:28.652 UTC
Node              Card Type                NPU Type
-------------------------------------------------------
0/0/CPU0          88-LC0-36FH              Q200
0/1/CPU0          88-LC1-36EH              P100
0/2/CPU0          88-LC1-36EH              P100
0/3/CPU0          88-LC1-36EH              P100

            Compatibility       Compatibility       Compatibility       Compatibility       Compatibility       Compatibility       Compatibility
NPU Type   Mode Q100            Mode Q200            Mode G100            Mode P100            Mode A100            Mode K100            Mode F100
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Q100        Compatible          Not Compatible      Not Compatible      Not Compatible      Not Compatible      Not Compatible      Not Compatible
Q200        Compatible          Compatible          Not Compatible      Not Compatible      Not Compatible      Not Compatible      Not Compatible
G100        Not Compatible      Compatible          Compatible          Not Compatible      Not Compatible      Not Compatible      Not Compatible
P100        Not Compatible      Not Compatible      Not Compatible      Not Compatible      Not Compatible      Not Compatible      Not Compatible
A100        Not Compatible      Not Compatible      Not Compatible      Not Compatible      Not Compatible      Not Compatible      Not Compatible
K100        Not Compatible      Not Compatible      Not Compatible      Not Compatible      Not Compatible      Not Compatible      Not Compatible
F100        Not Compatible      Not Compatible      Not Compatible      Not Compatible      Not Compatible      Not Compatible      Not Compatible
Default mode : P100
Router#