Release Notes for Cisco NCS 1000 Series, IOS XR Release 25.4.1

Product impact

Feature

Description

NCS 1014 Configuration

Ease of Use

400ZR Coherent Probe support

The DP04QSDD-E26-A1 pluggable supports 400G ZR coherent probe functionality on the NCS1K14-EDFA2 card. The Pluggable is tunable across C band frequency range and serves as a transponder performing probe functionality. The coherent probe provides link tests before provisioning an active service on the Optical fiber.

Additionally, this pluggable allows PRBS monitoring on trunk ports without the need to enable maintenance mode.

Software Reliability

Remote reset of client optics

You can now remotely reset a client optics using a new CLI command and Yang model. This capability does not apply to CIM 8. This feature allows you to perform cold reboots remotely for optics to resolve issues caused due to Hot or optics Struck cases. Remote power cycling enables more flexible and programmable management of optics.

Supported optics are:

●     400GE

●     4x100GE

●     All QSFP optics

●     ZR optics, including QDD-ZR, QDD-ZR+, 400G-ZR, and 400G Bright ZR+

CLI:

The command reload transceiver Optics R/S/I/P cold is introduced

Yang model:

The new yang model Cisco-IOS-XR-reset-optics-act.yang is introduced

Software Reliability

1G Speed support on OSC Gigabit Ethernet

The Gigabit Ethernet interface on the OSC now supports data rates up to 1 Gbps, in addition to the existing 100 Mbps.

This enhancement allows you to configure the interface speed to 1 Gbps, enabling the use of UDC ports to extend your Data Communication Network (DCN) for monitoring remote NCS 1010 and NCS 1020 sites.

To enable 1 Gbps throughput for the Gigabit Ethernet interface, use the command interface gigabitEthernet R/S/I/P and set the speed to 1000.

IP based Packet forwarding Throughput on OSC Gigabit is maximum 200Mbps and UDC Traffic Over OSC Gigabit is maximun upto 880Mbps.

For speed configuration options:

·       The 100 Mbps speed can be configured using the command speed 100.

·       If the speed configuration is removed using the command no speed, the default speed will revert to 100 Mbps.

·       Configuring a 10 Mbps speed is not supported and will result in failure.

Software Reliability

OTDR enhancements

These functionality enhancements have been implemented on the ONS-QSFP-OTDR pluggable of the NCS1K14-EDFA2 card:

·     OTDR results now include total measured loss and     total measured length alongside existing measurements.

·     Unique names can be assigned to SOR files for easier identification.

·     SOR files from automatic and manual OTDR scans are organized into separate folders to differentiate between file types.

CLI:

The keyword label string is added to the command otdr-start controller ots R/S/I/P direction.

Software reliability

MOLS2.0 Signal Span Loss Enhancement

The enhanced signal span loss enables you to set the expected and threshold values for managing RX signal span loss.

The enhancement enables the line system to:

·     monitor the change in RX signal span loss value,

·     compare the current and expected RX signal span loss values,

·     check if the span loss difference is within the set threshold values, and

·     raise the relevant alarms, if the span loss difference is more than the threshold values.

New CLI parameters added for span-loss attribute on the LINE OTS controller are:

·     rx-expected-span-loss

·     rx-exp-rel-thr-deg <10…420>

·     rx-exp-rel-thr-fail <10...420>

To enable the expected RX signal span loss:

rx-expected-span-loss

To disable the expected RX signal span loss:

no span-loss rx-expected-span-loss

Modified YANG models are:

●     Native YANG Model - Cisco-IOS-XR-olc-cfg.yang

●     Open Config model - openconfig-transport-line-common.yang

New alarms are introduced:

●     OLC_SPAN_LOSS_FM_RX_SIGNAL_DEGRADE     - Rx signal span loss degraded

●     OLC_SPAN_LOSS_FM_RX_SIGNAL_FAIL    - Rx signal span loss failed    

Software Reliability

7-day 15-minute optics PM  history

This enhancement enables the collection and storage of 15-minute performance monitoring samples, collecting up to 672 samples. Previously, the CLI bucket range was 1–32; now, it is increased to 1–672. The feature is supported on NCS 1010 and NCS 1014 platforms.

Updated CLI command parameter:

show controllers Controller-type R/S/I/P pm history 15-min optics 1 bucket <1-672>

New CLI command introduced:

performance-mgmt controller 15-min extend days <0-7>, where 0 stands for 8 hours.

This enhancement provides comprehensive visibility into interface performance by recording 15-minute counters over a 7-day period. This allows users to effectively monitor and assess network interface health status.

Software Reliability

Enhanced temperature monitoring parameters for optics

Monitoring parameters for optical pluggable modules are enhanced with new CLI attributes and Open Config leaves.

The CLI attribute TEMP MODULE indicates the temperature of the pluggable modules in these CLI command output:

●     show environment all

●     show environment temperature

●     show environment temperature location <lc location>

These temperature parameters are supported through the openconfig-platform-transceiver.yang model:

●     alarm-status

●     instant

●     interval

●     avg

●     max

●     min

●     min-time

●     max-time

●     alarm-severity [present only when alarm-status is true]

●     alarm-threshold [present only when alarm-status is true]

Software Reliability

SUDI Support for CIM8 Pluggable

SUDI (Secure Unique Device Identifier) enables customers to confirm that a module is a genuine Cisco product. This feature helps protect against the use of counterfeit modules.

NCS 1014 Factory Reset

Software Reliability

Factory Reset

This feature allows customers to remove all data from the device before initiating a Product Return and Replace (PRR). This process ensures that all sensitive customer information is permanently deleted and cannot be recovered.

NCS 1014 System Setup and Software Installation

Software Reliability

GCC0 interface support on NCS1K4-QXP-K9 card

This feature introduces GCC0 interface support in Trunk OpenROADM mode for the DP04QSDD-HK9 pluggable on the NCS1K4-QXP-K9 card. The feature is supported on NCS 1004 and NCS 1014 platforms.

The Coherent DSP controller supports the GCC0 interface, enabling you to remotely manage, monitor, and operate the chassis and line cards, especially in environments without direct Data Communication Network (DCN) accesss.

Software Reliability

Enhanced Channel Automatic Power Control (APC) support on EDFA2 Card

This feature introduces enhanced channel control and management on the EDFA2 card, enhancing configuration and management capabilities. It allows users to configure the expected input power at full channel load as a single, unified parameter, streamlining previous legacy BST1 configurations with new CLI commands. These commands automatically configure BST1 gain and facilitate the raising or clearing of two new alarms per channel for improved monitoring.

Additionally, this feature enables users to control the initial setup of channels, amplifiers, and thresholds required for Metro Open Line System (MOLS) deployment.

New Alarms introduced:

·       OLC_APC_FM_CHANNEL_LOW_INPUT_POWER

·       OLC_APC_FM_CHANNEL_HIGH_INPUT_POWER

New CLI commands introduced:

·       channel-minimum-input-psd

·       expected-total-input-power

·       channel-rx-power-low-rel-thr

·       channel-rx-power-high-rel-thr

You can configure these commands using the OpenConfig model. The transport line common model is augmented to support channel configuration on the EDFA2 card.

NCS 1014 Data Models

Software Reliability

Enhanced OpenConfig Transceiver Threshold monitoring

You can now monitor read-only power threshold values for all Grey (client) optics (including 400G, 4x100G, and 100G) and Coherent Optics using the openconfig-platform-transceiver.yang model. This support extends across all form factors, such as ZR, CFP, and CIM8.

Monitoring these thresholds is crucial for ensuring stable and reliable operation, especially for high-power 400G optics.

Software Reliability

OpenConfig OSPF augmentation to support distribute link-state

This enhancement introduces support for the OSPF distribute link-state capability within the openconfig-network-instance.yang model through a new extended YANG model.

New Extended YANG model introduced:
Cisco-IOS-XR-openconfig-ospfv2-ext.yang

This feature allows OpenConfig to deliver Operations, Administration, and Maintenance (OAM) functionality for distributed link-state capability.

Software Reliability

gNOI otdr.proto enhancements

The gNOI otdr.proto has these enhancements:

·     Displays total measured loss and total measured length in OTDR results, in addition to existing measurements.

·     Allows assignment of unique names to SOR files for easier identification.

·     Organizes SOR files from auto and manual OTDR scans into separate folders to distinguish between file types.

·     Provides an option to disable Auto Negotiation, which is set to false by default, directly from the gNOI proto.

Software Reliability

OC UDC support in EDFA2 card

This feature introduces UDC capability, allowing UDC traffic on the EDFA2 card using OpenConfig models. The NCS 1014 supports PTP ports, which can be converted to UDC ports for carrying UDC traffic.

These pluggables are supported:

·       ONS-SI-GE-LX

·       GLC-TE

NCS 1010 Optical Applications

Software Reliability

OTDR Enhancements

These enhancements have been made to OTDR functionality:

·         OTDR results now include total measured loss and     total measured length alongside existing measurements.

·     Unique names can be assigned to SOR files for easier identification.

·     SOR files from automatic and manual OTDR scans are organized into separate folders to differentiate between file types.

CLI:

The keyword label string is added to the command otdr-start controller ots R/S/I/P direction.

NCS 1001 System Setup and Software Installation

Ease of Setup

Zero Touch Provisioning of Remote NCS 1001 Devices via DHCP Frame Relay over OSC

This feature enables you to configure the NCS 1001 device, connected to the DCN, to function as a DHCP Frame Relay over the OSC channel. This supports zero touch provisioning for remote NCS 1001 devices. With this capability, you can provision NCS 1000 devices remotely, removing the need for onsite personnel or manual configuration. This saves time and effort, especially in locations that are difficult to access. It is particularly beneficial in RON architecture where all links are point to point.

Cisco Optical Site Manager

Ease of setup

Install Cisco Optical Site Manager on NCS 1001 or NCS 1004

You can now install Cisco Optical Site Manager on NCS 1001 and NCS 1004 platforms, enhancing optical network management across more devices. NCS 1001 supports one software package in its repository, while NCS 1004 can store two.

NCS 1014 already supports this feature, and this release extends the capability to NCS 1001 and NCS 1004.

Upgrade

Additional Trunk Rates for the NCS1K14-2.4T-X-K9 Card

The Select Card Mode page of the Card Configuration Wizard has been updated to configure these trunk rates in the muxponder mode for 2x100-GE client traffic:

●     400G

●     500G

●     600G

Ease of use

Amplifier Working Mode Support for NCS 1001

You can now choose between Channel Power and Fixed Gain modes when configuring the working mode for Cisco NCS 1001 cards in the Amplifier section of the Provisioning tab.
In Channel Power mode, the amplifier keeps each channel at a set power. In Fixed Gain mode, it adjusts gain based on spectral density for flexible and wider channel deployments.

Ease of use

Submarine Mode for OLT Card on NCS 1010

You can now enable submarine mode for the OLT card of an NCS 1010 device from the Submarine Mode column of the Optical Degrees section. Submarine mode helps you maintain constant output power at SLTE with a configurable attenuation profile, supporting the requirements of subsea systems through RX and TX ports.

Ease of use

Real-Time CPU and Memory Monitoring

You can now monitor real-time CPU usage and memory data in the CPU Utilization and Memory sections of the Maintenance tab. This helps you quickly assess device performance and take action as needed. The feature is supported on all NCS 1000 platforms.

Software Reliability

Support for NCS1K14-EDFA2 card in Cisco Optical Site Manager

Cisco Optical Site Manager now supports the NCS1K14-EDFA2 card. To use the EDFA2 card, set the optical type to ROADM.

The EDFA2 card supports these pluggables and passive modules:

·       ONS-SC-PTP-1510: Optical Supervisory Channel (OSC) pluggable

·       ONS-QSFP-OTDR: Optical Time-Domain Reflectometer (OTDR) pluggable

·       DP01QSDD-ZT5-A1: Coherent probe pluggable

·       NCS1K-MD-32O-CE: 32-channel Odd Mux/Demux Patch Panel, C-band Enhanced

·       NCS1K-MD-32E-CE: 32-channel Even Mux/Demux Patch Panel, C-band Enhanced

This integration enables comprehensive Operations, Administration, and Maintenance (OAM) capabilities for the card within Cisco Optical Site Manager.

The Cisco Optical Site Manager supports only these capabilities:

·       Inventory

·       Alarms and alarm history

·       Provisioning (Amplifier, ZRPlus Interfaces, Interface, Ethernet Interfaces, and Optical Channel)

·       Performance monitoring and TCA (Threshold crossing alerts)

·       Maintenance (Live Data, Environmental Monitoring, and Power Monitoring)

·       Optical Degrees, Internal patchcord (IPCs), Network Function Virtualization (NFV)

Hardware Reliability

USB inventory support

NCS 1001 can now retrieve information from additional passive devices connected to its USB ports. The feature extends support beyond previously supported passive devices, allowing you to access data from a wider range of connected equipment. The passive devices include:

●     NCS 1000 32 chs Even Mux/Demux Patch Panel (NCS1K-MD-32E-CE )

●     NCS 1000 32 chs Odd Mux/Demux Patch Panel (NCS1K-MD-32O-CE)

●     Cisco ONS 15216 4 Channel OADMs

CLI:

The keyword usb-port port number passive-eeprom {il | manuf | all } is added to the command show hw-module.

Hardware Reliability

Pluggable Support

The NCS1K14-EDFA2 line card now supports these pluggables:

·       DP04QSDD-E26-A1

·       GLC-TE

CSCwr67622

CIM-8 trunk experiences high switching time during PSM switching

CSCws26448

Enabling 2x100GE support on NCS1K14-2.4T-X-K9 line card slice mode with 400/500/600G trunk rates

CSCwr96071

Disk space alarm differentiation mismatch between Cisco Optical Site Manager and XR

CSCwr99969

Cisco Optical Site Manager displays incorrect Status and Results after STOP action

Composite package

Cisco IOS XR Core Bundle + Manageability Package

ncs1010-x64-25.4.1.iso

IOS Contains required core packages, including operating system, Admin, Base, Forwarding, SNMP Agent, FPD, and Alarm Correlation and Netconf-yang, Telemetry, Extensible Markup Language (XML) Parser, HTTP server packages. XR Base Image

Individually installable packages

Cisco IOS XR Telnet Packages

xr-telnet-25.4.1v1.0.0-1.x86_64.rpm

xr-telnet-ncs1014-25.4.1.v1.0.0-1.x86_64.rpm

Install these packages to support Telnet.

Cisco IOS XR Security Package

xr-k9sec-pid-eb216ea0977bb9c7-25.4.1.v1.0.0-1.x86_64.rpm

xr-k9sec-25.4.1.v1.0.0-1.x86_64.rpm

xr-k9sec-pid-ncs1014-25.4.1.v1.0.0-1.x86_64.rpm

xr-k9sec-f544c7c7d37890ec-25.4.1.v1.0.0-1.x86_64.rpm

Support for Encryption, Decryption, IP Security (IPsec), Secure Socket Layer (SSL), and Public-key infrastructure (PKI).

Cisco IOS XR Cisco Discovery Protocol (CDP) Packages

xr-cdp-25.4.1v1.0.0-1.x86_64.rpm

xr-cdp-ncs1014-25.4.1v1.0.0-1.x86_64.rpm

xr-cdp-f544c7c7d37890ec-25.4.1v1.0.0-1.x86_64.rpm

xr-telnet-f544c7c7d37890ec-25.4.1v1.0.0-1.x86_64.rpm

Install these packages to support CDP.

Composite package

Cisco IOS XR Core Bundle + Manageability Package

NCS1004-iosxr-px-k9-25.4.1.tar

Contains required core packages, including operating system, Admin, Base, Forwarding, SNMP Agent, FPD, and Alarm Correlation and Netconf-yang, Telemetry, Extensible Markup Language (XML) Parser, HTTP server packages

Individually installable packages

Cisco IOS XR Security Package

ncs1004-k9sec-1.0.0.0-r2541.x86_64.rpm

Support for Encryption, Decryption, IP Security (IPsec), Secure Socket Layer (SSL), and Public-key infrastructure (PKI).

Cisco IOS XR OTN-XP DP Package

ncs1004-sysadmin-otn-xp-dp

-24.5.1-r2411.x86_64.rpm

(part of ncs1004-iosxr-px-k9-24.5.1.tar)

Install this data path FPD packages on the OTN-XP card. This package is mandatory for datapath bring up.