For more information on digitally signed images, see Cisco ASR 9000 Series Aggregation Services Router
System Management Configuration Guide.
Ethernet Line Card and MPA Comparison
The first generation Cisco ASR 9000 line cards are available in base, extended, and low-queue versions. All
other generations of line cards are available in Transport and Service Edge versions. All versions are functionally
equivalent, but vary in configuration scale and buffer capacity. The following table provides comparative
information about the various line cards and MPAs. For detailed information about the various transceiver
modules, see Cisco Transceiver Modules on Cisco.com.
For supported transceivers modules, refer to the Transceiver Module Group (TMG) Compatibility Matrix
Tool:
https://tmgmatrix.cisco.com/home
Table 10: Cisco Ethernet Line Card or MPA Hardware Comparison
Module TypeNumber of PortsProduct NumberCisco Series Ethernet Line Card or MPA
XFP (10GE ports)
SFP (GE ports)
2x10GE
20xGE
A9K-2T20GE-B2-Port 10GE + 20-Port GE Combination Line Card
XFP (10GE ports)
SFP (GE ports)
2x10GE
20xGE
A9K-2T20GE-E2-Port 10GE + 20-Port GE Extended Combination
Line Card
XFP (10GE ports)
SFP (GE ports)
2x10GE
20xGE
A9K-2T20GE-L2-Port10GE + 20-Port GE Low Queue Combination
Line Card
SFP+ (10GE ports)
SFP (GE ports)
4x10GE
16xGE
A9K-4T16GE-TR4-Port 10GE+16-Port GE Combination Line Card,
Packet Transport Optimized
SFP+ (10GE ports)
SFP (GE ports)
4x10GE
16xGE
A9K-4T16GE-SE4-Port 10GE+ 16-Port GE Extended Combination
Line Card, Service Edge Optimized
XFP4A9K-4T-B4-Port 10GE Line Card
XFP4A9K-4T-E4-Port 10GE Extended Line Card
XFP4A9K-4T-L4-Port 10GE Low Queue Line Card
XFP8A9K-8T/4-B8-Port 10GE DX Line Card
XFP8A9K-8T/4-E8-Port 10GE DX Extended Line Card
XFP8A9K-8T/4-L8-Port 10GE DX Low Queue Line Card
XFP8A9K-8T-B8-Port 10GE Line Rate Card
XFP8A9K-8T-E8-Port 10GE Extended Line Rate Card
Cisco ASR 9000 Series Aggregation Services Router Ethernet Line Card Installation Guide
11
Overview
Ethernet Line Card and MPA Comparison