The Cisco Visual Network Index forecasts that global IP traffic will increase threefold by 2021 driven by both mobile and wireline traffic. Mobile networks are seeing a dramatic evolution as they prepare for the transition from LTE to 5G. The demands on the service provider network will not be limited to exponentially higher bandwidth at lower operating costs but will also require the capabilities to support new applications such as pervasive mobile broadband, massive IoT, tactile internet, smart city and virtual reality.

The Cisco Network Convergence System 55A2 Series Routers are designed for cost-effective delivery of these next generation services. These routers are high capacity, compact form factor, low power consumption devices providing flexibility with two modular bays. Modular Port Adaptors (MPA) and fixed ports on the chassis provides flexibility with options of different port types along with industry-leading MACSec encryption support. The Cisco NCS 55A2 Series Routers combine a comprehensive and scalable feature set of Layer 2 VPN (L2VPN) and Layer 3 VPN (L3VPN) services and a rich set of mobile features for a dense converged aggregation platform. Capabilities such as advanced packet classification, segment routing, ultra-wide ECMP, programmable network management and telemetry are added to the robust and mature features already present in Cisco IOS XR Software.

The Cisco NCS 55A2 Series Router provides IP over Dense Wavelength-Division Multiplexing (DWDM) capability through MPA, collapsing network layers by tightly integrating DWDM interfaces with the routing platform, thereby helping customers to increase operational efficiency by simplifying management and accelerating service delivery. This IPoDWDM solution further reduces transport elements, while supporting advanced features dramatically reducing operating expenses and capital cost. MPA uses CFP2 Digital Coherent Optics (DCO) form factor transceivers.