Overview
The Cisco® Network Convergence System 57C3 Series Routers are designed for cost-effective delivery of next-generation networking services. These are high-capacity and low-power-consuming devices available in a 3-rack-unit compact form factor. The chassis along with the Modular Port Adapters (MPAs) provide options of using different types of interfaces ranging from 1GE to 400GE along with industry-leading MACSec encryption and Class C Timing support. These devices also provide Control Plane redundancy, thereby enabling high availability and reliability.
The Cisco NCS 57C3 Series Routers are well equipped for a range of applications such as Carrier Ethernet Aggregation, Subscriber Services, Business Ethernet, Mobile Edge, Campus, Peering and Core roles. Powered by the industry-leading Cisco IOS® XR Software, the NCS 57C3 supports a rich and comprehensive set of features like QoS, IP/MPLS, Segment Routing, SRv6, and Ethernet VPN (EVPN).
This chassis is targeted for roles such as mobile-edge, peering, carrier Ethernet aggregation, business Ethernet, campus / core deployments — anywhere you need high port flexibility, performance, and high availability in a relatively small footprint.
Specifications
| Chassis Model | NCS-57C3-MOD-SYS (Base chassis) |
| Fixed Port Configuration | 48 fixed ports supporting 1/10/25 Gbps on SFP/SFP28, plus 8 fixed 100 Gbps ports via QSFP28/QSFP100G. |
| Modular Port Adapter (MPA) Slots | Up to 3 MPA units. Slot 1 supports 400 G, Slots 2 & 3 support 800 G (with suitable MPAs). |
| Route Processor | NC57-MOD-RP2-E: 8 cores @ 2 GHz, 32 GB DRAM, 256 GB Flash. Includes console, management Ethernet, USB. |
| Forwarding ASIC / NPU | Broadcom Jericho2C based internal line card for forwarding plane. |
| Performance | Up to 2.4 Tbps forwarding capacity (with MPAs) in the base chassis. |
| Redundancy / High Availability | • Dual route processors (control plane redundancy) • 1+1 redundant power supplies (AC or DC) • Multiple hot-swappable fan trays for cooling redundancy |
| Power Supplies | Supports 1600 W AC (NC57-1600W-ACFW) or 1600 W 48 V DC (NC57-1600W-DCFW). |
| Cooling / Fans | Six hot-swappable fan trays: front-to-back airflow. Slots 0-1 use 60 mm fans; slots 2-5 use 40 mm fans. Designed for (with full cooling) operation up to 50°C under certain conditions. |
| Environmental / Operating Conditions | Includes specs for temperature, power draw etc: typical vs maximum under load, thermal limitations tied to optics modules. |
| Software | IOS XR 7.4.1 or later. Support for features like Segment Routing, EVPN, MACsec encryption, etc. |
| Physical Size | |
|---|---|
| Rack Units / Height | 3 RU (~130.5 mm) |
| Width | ~438 mm |
| Depth | ~284 mm |
| Weight | ~11.25 kg (~24.8 lbs) for the base chassis, plus accessories (fans, PSUs, MPAs) adding to total |
| Power Consumption | Approximate Values (without MPAs and with IMIX / typical traffic) |
|---|---|
| Typical (25°C) | ≈ 445 W |
| Maximum (50°C) | ≈ 675 W |
