Cisco unveils four-slot CRS-1, announces Sprint as customer

SEPTEMBER 5, 2006 -- Cisco Systems (search Cisco) today announced a four-slot version of its CRS-1 Carrier Routing System (search CRS-1). The new router provides 320 Gbits/sec of total switching capacity in what Cisco claims is the industry's most compact 40-Gbit/sec-per-slot chassis, enabling deployment at regional points-of-presence (POPs), MSO hub locations, and data center peering sites.

Cisco's latest development enables providers to deploy CRS-1s more broadly and at lower entry cost, allowing rapid deployment and continued expansion of IPTV, digital video, and other advanced business and residential IP services, say company representatives. The four-slot CRS-1 joins the 16-slot platform (1.2 Tbits/sec) and the eight-slot platform (640 Gbits/sec), all of which feature cross-slot-compatibility for continued investment protection.

The Cisco IP next-generation network (NGN) enables the development and delivery of application- and subscriber-aware services to help providers increase revenue and enhance efficiencies for improved profitability and control of their networks and business, says the company.

Sprint (search Sprint) has been evaluating the CRS-1 since 2004 and will deploy it beginning in Q4 2006. The new four-slot chassis will enable Sprint to deploy 40-Gbitsec routing more broadly and at a lower cost.

"By creating a smaller form factor for the CRS-1 platform, Cisco is enabling us to lower costs and more efficiently handle the convergence of voice, video, data, and mobility services, while still gaining the scalability, reliability, and service flexibility that the platform provides," explains Iyad Tarazi, vice president of network development, Sprint. "Deploying the CRS-1 is key to our convergence strategy and Sprint's focus on the global IP network as a key enabler of mobility services."

National LambdaRail Inc. (NLR), a consortium of U.S. research universities and private sector technology companies, has been using the CRS-1 for more than a year and also is evaluating the new four-slot platform.

"A four-slot configuration of the Cisco CRS-1 Carrier Routing System will enable us to deploy additional 40-Gbit/sec routers, extending and increasing the throughput of our network," reports Tom West, president of National LambdaRail. "This allows us to more effectively allocate our equipment and still enjoy the benefits of scalability, reliability, and service flexibility that the Cisco CRS-1 platform offers."

Distributed deployment of 40-Gbit/sec routing helps ensure that providers are able to meet the ever-increasing demand for video services delivery, including digital cable, IPTV, video-on-demand (VoD) and high-definition television (HDTV). According to Cisco representatives, the CRS-1 is the industry's only carrier router to provide continuous system operation and offer what the company claims is unprecedented service flexibility and system longevity. The Cisco CRS-1 is powered by Cisco IOS XR Software, a unique, self-healing, distributed operating system designed for always-on operation while scaling system capacity up to 92 Tbits/sec.

Publicly announced CRS-1 customers include BT; Cable & Wireless; Comcast; China Telecom (ChinaNet); China Education and Research Network (CERNET); Korea Telecom; the National Institute of Informatics' SuperSINET research network in Japan; National LambdaRail; MTS Allstream; Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center(PSC); SaskTel; Softbank Yahoo! BB; Strato Medien AG; Swisscom; Shanghai Telecom; Telstra; and VTR.

"Extending throughput and capacity that enables high-speed premium services like video and IPTV are service providers' primary objectives," contends Tony Bates, senior vice president and general manager of the Service Provider Routing Technology Group at Cisco. "Cisco developed the four-slot CRS-1 in direct response to requests from our service provider customers, who wanted to be able to deploy the 40-Gbit/sec CRS-1 with a smaller form factor and less capital expenditure per deployment."

The CRS-1 four-slot single-shelf system will be available in November. The starting system list price is $160,000.