Your trusted guide to choosing the right edge router for enterprise and service provider networks
When it comes to enterprise-grade routing, the Cisco ASR 1000 Series has long been a reliable choice for high-performance edge and aggregation applications. Whether you’re scaling up your network, upgrading legacy equipment, or building a new WAN edge, this guide will walk you through what you need to know before buying.
Why Choose the ASR 1000 Series?
The ASR1000 line strikes an excellent balance between scalability, performance, and resilience. These routers support services such as firewalling, NAT, QoS, and VPN at hardware speeds, making them ideal for large branch offices, data centres, and service provider environments.
They’re powered by Cisco’s QuantumFlow Processor (QFP), which handles multiple parallel tasks with efficiency and security in mind.
Key Models at a Glance
| Model | Form Factor | Throughput (Gbps) | Typical Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASR1001-X | 1RU | 2.5 – 20 | Mid-size branches, enterprise edge |
| ASR1002-X | 2RU | 5 – 36 | WAN aggregation, regional data hubs |
| ASR1006-X | 4RU | Modular | Large enterprise and data centres |
| ASR1009-X | 7RU | Modular | Service provider edge, high throughput |
| ASR1001-HX | 1RU | 10 – 100 | Compact, high-performance workloads |
Note: Throughput is software-licensed and scalable.
What to Look for When Buying
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Performance Needs
Match the model to your expected traffic volume. Modular models like the ASR1006-X allow upgrades as your requirements grow. -
Redundancy Options
Most models support dual power supplies, redundant route processors (RP2 or RP3), and embedded services processors (ESP100, ESP200, etc.) for high availability. -
Licensing
Understand what features require licenses (IPSec, Performance, Advanced Services). You can choose between perpetual and smart licensing. -
Refurbished vs New
Buying a refurbished ASR can save up to 60% vs new, without compromising performance. Just ensure you’re sourcing from a reliable reseller (like us!). -
End-of-Life (EoL) and Support
Cisco’s EoL announcements affect SmartNet support eligibility. However, third-party support and spare parts are readily available for many EoL models.
Refurbished Cisco ASR – A Smart Alternative
At Flux IT, we offer professionally refurbished ASR routers fully tested by Cisco-certified engineers, complete with warranties and optional configuration services. Whether you need a quick replacement or a full-scale rollout, we’ll help you source the right unit—fast.
Ready to Upgrade or Expand?
We stock a wide range of Cisco ASR1000 series routers and spares, both new and refurbished. If you’re unsure what model fits your needs or need help with configuration, we’re here to help.
Request a Quote
Simply fill out the form to tell us about your RFQ requirements. For a fast response, call 03330 048885, or use Livechat
