Network Convergence System 5500 Series Routers—Opening the Architecture


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Key Capabilities

Flexible Packaging—Easy Routine Upgrades and Maintenance

Flexible packaging is an enhancement that modularizes and delivers the Cisco IOS XR operating system as RPM packages.

The base software is becoming leaner that contains only required mandatory packages. Other optional packages are separated out and made available as individually installable RPM packages. Users have the flexibility to select and install the services they want by choosing relevant RPMs. Redhat Package Manager (RPM) based delivery of packages enable easier and faster system updates.

Flexible packaging also supports automatic dependency management whereby, while the user is updating an RPM, the system identifies all relevant dependent packages and updates them. The system uses standard LINUX tools to manage dependency during upgrades.

For the detailed list of release specific feature set matrix (packages) and associated filenames, see , Release 6.1.3 Packages

Data Models—Faster Programmatic and Standards-based Configuration

Data models are a programmatic and standards-based way of configuring and collecting operational data of a network device, replacing the process of manual configuration. Using Data models, Cisco IOS XR operating system supports the automating of configurations that belong to multiple routers across the network. Data models are written in a standard, industry-defined language, which can define a new configuration and state an existing configuration on a network.

Traditional CLI-based configurations, are proprietary, cumbersome, and highly text-based. Managing automated operations on a large network using CLIs is a challenge.

Cisco IOS XR supports the YANG data modeling language. YANG can be used with the Network Configuration Protocol (Netconf) or with gRPC (google-defined Remote Procedure Calls) to automate programmable network operations. Data models allow administrators to customize settings easily and automatically, without wasting time on manual configuration.

To get started with using data models, see the Obtain Data Models section in Cisco IOS XR Programmability Configuration Guide for the NCS 5500 Series Router.

Application Hosting—Efficient Leverage of Third-Party Tools

Application hosting gives administrators a platform for leveraging their own tools and utilities. Cisco IOS XR supports third-party off-the-shelf applications built using Linux tool chains. Users can run custom applications cross-compiled with the software development kit that Cisco provides. Application hosting is offered in two variants: Native and Container.

With networking rapidly moving to virtual environments, the need for a network operating system that supports operational agility and efficiency through seamless integration with existing tool chains became a key requirement for our customers.

Cisco IOS XR uses a 64-bit Linux-based operating system that simplifies the integration of applications, configuration management tools, and industry-standard zero touch provisioning mechanisms to meet the DevOps style workflows for service providers.

To access the SDK to build packages that use the Linux distribution offered by Cisco, and to host applications natively, see Build RPMs for Native Application Hosting section in the Cisco IOS XR Application Hosting Configuration Guide .

Telemetry—Push Towards Smarter Visibility

Streaming telemetry lets users direct data to a configured receiver for analysis and troubleshooting purposes in order to maintain the health of the network. This is achieved by leveraging the capabilities of machine-to-machine communication.

Traditionally, organizations used the pull model to collect data, where a client pulls data from network elements. This pull model, however, does not scale when there is more than one network management station in the network. These traditional techniques do not cater to all the underlying information of the router, and they require manual intervention.

Tuning a network based on real-time data is crucial for seamless operation of the network. Instead of a pull model, using a push model to continuously stream data out of the network enhances the operational performance and reduces the troubleshooting time. Data can be pushed out at intervals determined by the administrator, at a cadence as low as 10 seconds. Using sophisticated algorithms, a back-end server can then analyze data received from the Cisco IOS XR operating system. The data can be encoded in JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) or Google Protocol Buffers (GPB). This analysis enables back-end management systems to measure and even predict control-plane and data-plane trends.

Software Features Introduced in Cisco IOS XR Software Release 6.1.3

IPv4 Prefix Scale support in Non-TCAM Line cards

Non-TCAM linecards can install 1 million IPv4 prefixes into their hardware resource memory based on the global internet prefix distribution profile. This is an improvement over previously supported scale where the non-TCAM linecards supported 256K non/32 and 750K /24 and /32 IPv4 prefixes.

Refer to the Cisco Network Convergence System 5500 Series Data Sheet to learn about non-TCAM linecards.

Use the hw-module fib ipv4 scale internet-optimized command in global configuration mode and reload all non-TCAM line cards to activate the increased scale value.

Support for IP-in-IP Decapsulation

IP datagrams that are encapsulated with an outer IP header before transmission through an IP tunnel are stripped of the header on exiting the tunnel. IP-in-IP decapsulation is now supported on NCS 5500.

For more information, see the Interface and Hardware Component Configuration Guide for Cisco NCS 5500 Series Routers and the Interface and Hardware Component Command Reference for Cisco NCS 5500 Series Routers guides.

MACSec

The Media Access Control Security (MACsec) encryption is introduced on the NCS 5500 Network Convergence Routers. MACsec is a Layer 2 IEEE 802.1AE standard for encrypting packets between two MACsec-capable routers.

For more information see Implementing MACsec Encryption chapter in the Cisco NCS 5500 Network Convergence Router System Security Configuration Guide.

Hardware Introduced in Release 6.1.3

This release introduces a new chassis in the NCS 5500 series:

  • Cisco NCS 5516—This is a 16-slot modular chassis, which provides the main data path between each line card through the fabric interface, and holds the following components:

    • Route Processors (up to two RP modules)

    • System controllers (up to two system controller modules)

    • Fabric modules (up to six fabric modules behind the fan trays)

    • Fan trays (three)

    • Power supplies (ten with the n+1 power redundancy mode) of the following types:

      • 3kW Standard AC power supply

      • 3kW Universal DC power supply

This release also introduces a new line card for the NCS 5500 router:

  • NC55-36x100G-S MACsec line card—This linecard provides 36 ports in QSFP28 form factor. It also offers 3.6T bps Ethernet traffic on the front panel to Fabric that support 5.4T bps. Additionally, it offers 100GE interfaces support through the pluggable QSFP28 and QSFP+. MACsec is supported on all 36 ports.

For more information, see the Hardware Installation Guide for Cisco NCS 5500 Series Routers guide.

Release 6.1.3 Packages

This table lists the Cisco IOS XR Software feature set matrix (packages) with associated filenames.

Table 1. Release 6.1.3 Packages for Cisco NCS 5500 Series Router

Composite Package

Feature Set

Filename

Description

Cisco IOS XR IP Unicast Routing Core Bundle

ncs5500-mini-x.iso-6.1.3

Contains base image contents that includes:

  • Host operating system

  • System Admin boot image

  • IOS XR boot image

Individually-Installable Optional Packages

Feature Set

Filename

Description

Cisco IOS XR Manageability Package

ncs5500-mgbl-3.0.0.0-r613.x86_64.rpm

Extensible Markup Language (XML) Parser, Telemetry, Netconf, gRPC and HTTP server packages.

Cisco IOS XR MPLS Package

ncs5500-mpls-2.1.0.0-r613.x86_64.rpm

ncs5500-mpls-te-rsvp-2.2.0.0-r613.x86_64.rpm

MPLS and MPLS Traffic Engineering (MPLS-TE) RPM.

Cisco IOS XR Security Package

ncs5500-k9sec-2.2.0.0-r613.x86_64.rpm

Support for Encryption, Decryption, Secure Shell (SSH), Secure Socket Layer (SSL), and Public-key infrastructure (PKI)

Cisco IOS XR ISIS package

ncs5500-isis-1.1.0.0-r613.x86_64.rpm

Support ISIS

Cisco IOS XR OSPF package

ncs5500-ospf-1.0.0.0-r613.x86_64.rpm

Support OSPF

Multicast Package

ncs5500-mcast-2.0.0.0-r613.x86_64.rpm

Support Multicast

Determine Software Version

Log in to the router and enter the show version command: 

RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router# show version
Cisco IOS XR Software, Version 6.1.4
Copyright (c) 2013-2016 by Cisco Systems, Inc.

Build Information:
Built By : <username>
Built On : Thu Jun 29 15:31:09 PDT 2017
Build Host : iox-lnx-032
Workspace : /auto/srcarchive13/production/6.1.4/ncs5500/workspace
Version : 6.1.4
Location : /opt/cisco/XR/packages/

cisco NCS-5500 () processor 
System uptime is 4 hours, 36 minutes

RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router# show version
Cisco IOS XR Software, Version 6.1.3
Copyright (c) 2013-2016 by Cisco Systems, Inc.

Build Information:
 Built By     : <username>
 Built On     : Mon Feb 13 03:34:54 PST 2017
 Build Host   : iox-lnx-032
 Workspace    : /auto/srcarchive16/production/6.1.3/ncs5500/workspace
 Version      : 6.1.3
 Location     : /opt/cisco/XR/packages/

cisco NCS-5500 () processor 
System uptime is 13 hours, 51 minutes

Caveats

Caveats describe unexpected behavior in Cisco IOS XR Software releases.

The following open caveats apply to the current Cisco IOS XR Software Release

Identifier

Description
CSCvc85330

invalid osi provided seen after ds restart and admin access fails/hangs from xr

Determine Firmware Support

Log in to the router and enter show hw-module fpd command in EXEC mode:

For NCS 5501

RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router# show hw-module fpd

                                                                    FPD Versions
                                                               =================
Location   Card type        HWver FPD device       ATR Status   Running Programd
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0/RP0     NCS-5501          0.2   MB-MIFPGA            CURRENT    1.01    1.01  
0/RP0     NCS-5501          0.2   Bootloader           CURRENT    1.05    1.05  
0/RP0     NCS-5501          0.2   CPU-IOFPGA           CURRENT    1.12    1.12  
0/RP0     NCS-5501          0.2   MB-IOFPGA            CURRENT    1.04    1.04

For NCS 5501-SE

RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router# show hw-module fpd
    

                                                                 FPD Versions
                                                               =================
Location   Card type        HWver FPD device       ATR Status   Running Programd
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0/RP0     NCS-5501-SE       0.4   MB-MIFPGA            CURRENT    1.02    1.02  
0/RP0     NCS-5501-SE       0.4   Bootloader           CURRENT    1.11    1.11  
0/RP0     NCS-5501-SE       0.4   CPU-IOFPGA           CURRENT    1.12    1.12  
0/RP0     NCS-5501-SE       0.4   MB-IOFPGA            CURRENT    1.07    1.07

For NCS 5502

RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router# show hw-module fpd    
                                                                    FPD Versions
                                                               =================
Location   Card type        HWver FPD device       ATR Status   Running Programd
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0/RP0     NCS-5502          0.2   DC-MIFPGA            CURRENT    1.02    1.02  
0/RP0     NCS-5502          0.2   MB-MIFPGA            CURRENT    1.02    1.02  
0/RP0     NCS-5502          0.2   Bootloader           CURRENT    1.11    1.11  
0/RP0     NCS-5502          0.2   CPU-IOFPGA           CURRENT    1.12    1.12  
0/RP0     NCS-5502          0.2   DC-IOFPGA            CURRENT    1.05    1.05  
0/RP0     NCS-5502          0.2   MB-IOFPGA            CURRENT    1.05    1.05
0/PM1     NC55-2KW-ACFW     0.4   PO-PriMCU-ACFW       CURRENT  257.519 257.519 
0/PM3     NC55-2KW-ACFW     0.4   PO-PriMCU-ACFW       CURRENT  257.519 257.519

For NCS 5502-SE

RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router# show hw-module fpd 
                                                                    FPD Versions
                                                               =================
Location   Card type        HWver FPD device       ATR Status   Running Programd
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0/RP0     NCS-5502-SE       0.6   DC-MIFPGA            CURRENT    1.02    1.02  
0/RP0     NCS-5502-SE       0.6   MB-MIFPGA            CURRENT    1.02    1.02  
0/RP0     NCS-5502-SE       0.6   Bootloader           CURRENT    1.11    1.11  
0/RP0     NCS-5502-SE       0.6   CPU-IOFPGA           CURRENT    1.12    1.12  
0/RP0     NCS-5502-SE       0.6   DC-IOFPGA            CURRENT    1.05    1.05  
0/RP0     NCS-5502-SE       0.6   MB-IOFPGA            CURRENT    1.05    1.05  
0/PM1     NC55-2KW-ACFW     0.4   PO-PriMCU-ACFW       CURRENT  257.519 257.519 
0/PM3     NC55-2KW-ACFW     0.4   PO-PriMCU-ACFW       CURRENT  257.519 257.519

For NCS 5508

RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router# show hw-module fpd
                                                            FPD Versions
                                                               =================
Location   Card type        HWver FPD device       ATR Status   Running Programd
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0/0       NC55-24X100G-SE   0.403 MIFPGA               CURRENT    0.03    0.03  
0/0       NC55-24X100G-SE   0.403 Bootloader           CURRENT    1.11    1.11  
0/0       NC55-24X100G-SE   0.403 IOFPGA               CURRENT    0.12    0.12  
0/1       NC55-36X100G-S    0.4   MIFPGA               CURRENT    0.06    0.06  
0/1       NC55-36X100G-S    0.4   Bootloader           CURRENT    1.11    1.11  
0/1       NC55-36X100G-S    0.4   IOFPGA               CURRENT    0.09    0.09  
0/2       NC55-36X100G      0.302 MIFPGA               CURRENT    0.09    0.09  
0/2       NC55-36X100G      0.302 Bootloader           CURRENT    1.17    1.17  
0/2       NC55-36X100G      0.302 IOFPGA               CURRENT    0.15    0.15  
0/3       NC55-24H12F-SE    0.201 MIFPGA               CURRENT    0.02    0.02  
0/3       NC55-24H12F-SE    0.201 Bootloader           CURRENT    1.11    1.11  
0/3       NC55-24H12F-SE    0.201 IOFPGA               CURRENT    0.08    0.08  
0/4       NC55-36X100G      0.106 MIFPGA               CURRENT    0.09    0.09  
0/4       NC55-36X100G      0.106 Bootloader           CURRENT    1.17    1.17  
0/4       NC55-36X100G      0.106 IOFPGA               CURRENT    0.15    0.15  
0/5       NC55-36X40G       0.1   MIFPGA               CURRENT    0.03    0.03  
0/5       NC55-36X40G       0.1   Bootloader           CURRENT    1.11    1.11  
0/5       NC55-36X40G       0.1   IOFPGA               CURRENT    0.20    0.20  
0/6       NC55-24X100G-SE   0.1   MIFPGA               CURRENT    0.03    0.03  
0/6       NC55-24X100G-SE   0.1   Bootloader           CURRENT    1.11    1.11  
0/6       NC55-24X100G-SE   0.1   IOFPGA               CURRENT    0.12    0.12  
0/RP0     NC55-RP           1.1   Bootloader           CURRENT    9.23    9.23  
0/RP0     NC55-RP           1.1   IOFPGA               CURRENT    0.09    0.09  
0/RP1     NC55-RP           1.0   Bootloader           CURRENT    9.23    9.23  
0/RP1     NC55-RP           1.0   IOFPGA               CURRENT    0.09    0.09  
0/FC1     NC55-5508-FC      0.305 Bootloader           CURRENT    1.70    1.70  
0/FC1     NC55-5508-FC      0.305 IOFPGA               CURRENT    0.16    0.16  
0/FC3     NC55-5508-FC      0.109 Bootloader           CURRENT    1.70    1.70  
0/FC3     NC55-5508-FC      0.109 IOFPGA               CURRENT    0.16    0.16  
0/FC5     NC55-5508-FC      1.0   Bootloader           CURRENT    1.70    1.70  
0/FC5     NC55-5508-FC      1.0   IOFPGA               CURRENT    0.16    0.16  
0/SC0     NC55-SC           1.4   Bootloader           CURRENT    1.70    1.70  
0/SC0     NC55-SC           1.4   IOFPGA               CURRENT    0.08    0.08  
0/SC1     NC55-SC           1.4   Bootloader           CURRENT    1.70    1.70  
0/SC1     NC55-SC           1.4   IOFPGA               CURRENT    0.08    0.08

For NCS 5516

RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router# show hw-module fpd
                                                               
                                                                FPD Versions
                                                               =================
Location   Card type        HWver FPD device       ATR Status   Running Programd
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0/0       NC55-18H18F       1.0   Bootloader           CURRENT    1.11    1.11 
0/0       NC55-18H18F       1.0   IOFPGA               CURRENT    0.20    0.20 
0/0       NC55-18H18F       1.0   MIFPGA               CURRENT    0.03    0.03 
0/4       NC55-36X100G-S    0.4   Bootloader           CURRENT    1.11    1.11 
0/4       NC55-36X100G-S    0.4   IOFPGA               CURRENT    0.09    0.09 
0/4       NC55-36X100G-S    0.4   MIFPGA               CURRENT    0.06    0.06 
0/7       NC55-24H12F-SE    1.0   Bootloader           CURRENT    1.11    1.11 
0/7       NC55-24H12F-SE    1.0   IOFPGA               CURRENT    0.08    0.08 
0/7       NC55-24H12F-SE    1.0   MIFPGA               CURRENT    0.02    0.02 
0/11      NC55-36X100G      1.1   Bootloader           CURRENT    1.17    1.17 
0/11      NC55-36X100G      1.1   IOFPGA               CURRENT    0.15    0.15 
0/15      NC55-36X100G      1.1   Bootloader           CURRENT    1.17    1.17 
0/15      NC55-36X100G      1.1   IOFPGA               CURRENT    0.15    0.15 
0/RP0     NC55-RP           1.0   Bootloader           CURRENT    9.23    9.23 
0/RP0     NC55-RP           1.0   IOFPGA               CURRENT    0.09    0.09 
0/RP1     NC55-RP           1.0   Bootloader           CURRENT    9.23    9.23 
0/RP1     NC55-RP           1.0   IOFPGA               CURRENT    0.09    0.09
The above show output lists the hardware components that are supported in current release with their status. The status of the hardware must be CURRENT; Running and Programd version must be similar.

Other Important Information

  • The total number of bridge-domains (2*BDs) and GRE tunnels put together should not exceed 1518.

    Here the number 1518 represents the multi-dimensional scale value.

  • The offline diagnostics functionality is not supported in NCS 5500 platform. Therefore, the hw-module service offline location command will not work. However, you can use the (sysadmin)# hw-module shutdown location command to bring down the LC.

Upgrading Cisco IOS XR Software

Cisco IOS XR Software is installed and activated from modular packages, allowing specific features or software patches to be installed, upgraded, or downgraded without affecting unrelated processes. Software packages can be upgraded or downgraded on all supported card types, or on a single card (node).

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