Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) has unveiled the Cisco CRS-3 Carrier Routing System (CRS) -- which, as its name implies, has three times the horsepower as its previous CRS-1 platform. Cisco says the multi-chassis CRS-3 will provide 322 Tbps of capacity, which the company asserts is 12X of its closest competition.
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Cisco says the CRS-3 will enable unified service delivery of Internet and cloud services with service intelligence spanning service provider Internet Protocol Next-Generation Networks (IP NGNs) and data centers. The new Cisco Data Center Services System is designed to provide tight links between the Cisco CRS-3, Cisco Nexus family, and Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) to enable unified service delivery of cloud services. This intelligence also includes carrier-grade IPv6 and core IP/MPLS technologies that permit new IP NGN architectural efficiencies.
Unique capabilities, according to Cisco, include a Network Positioning System (NPS) that provides Layers 3 to 7 application information for best path to content, improving consumer and business experiences while reducing costs. Also, cloud virtual private network (VPN) for infrastructure as a service (IaaS) is designed to enable “pay-as-you-go” for compute, storage, and network resources by automating Cisco CRS-3 and Cisco Nexus Inter-Data center connections for Cisco UCS.
The Cisco CRS-3 offers what the company termed “dramatic” operational expense savings and up to 60 percent savings on power consumption compared to competitive platforms, the company added. Existing Cisco CRS-1 customers can upgrade to CRS-3 capabilities by reusing the existing chassis, route processors, fans, and power systems with the addition of new line cards and fabric. These upgrades can be performed in-service and be provided by Cisco Services to ensure a smooth transition, the company says. (There are 5,000 CRS-1s in deployment, Cisco noted.)
AT&T recently tested the Cisco CRS-3 as part of the 100-Gigabit backbone network technology trial it announced this week.
The Cisco CRS-3 is currently in field trials, and its pricing starts at $90,000 U.S.