The Cisco® ME 4924-10GE Switch is a next-generation Layer 3 user-facing premise equipment (UPE) aggregation device purposely built for high-performance Carrier Ethernet networks. Based on Cisco Catalyst® 4900 Series Switch technology, the Cisco ME 4924 delivers on the performance, availability, and form factor required in residential broadband triple-play service aggregation and business Ethernet deployments.
Product Overview
The Cisco ME 4924 (Figure 1) is the first switch optimized for UPE aggregation based on Cisco Catalyst 4900 Series technology. It provides the line-rate performance required to deliver data, voice, and video services to thousands of subscribers simultaneously. Service providers have the choice of uplinking to a 10 GE or 1 GE backbone using a variety of Small Form-Factor Pluggable (SFP) and X2 optic types.
Figure 1. Cisco ME 4924-10GE Switch
Configuration
• Twenty-four Gigabit Ethernet SFP User to Network Interfaces (UNI) and four Gigabit Ethernet SFP uplinks/ trunk ports with an additional two 10 Gigabit Ethernet X2 uplinks
• Redundant field-replaceable AC and DC power supplies
• Removable fan tray with redundant fans
• 1 rack unit (RU) form factor
The Cisco ME 4924 comes standard with the IP Base Software image (Table 1). This image includes the Layer 2 feature set, as well as Routing Information Protocol (RIP) and Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (EIGRP) stub support.
For greater service breadth and network flexibility, the Cisco ME 4924 supports the Enterprise Services image, which provides advanced Layer 3 features such as advanced IP routing protocols, including: RIPv1 and 2, EIGRP, Open Shortest Path First (OSPF), Border Gateway Protocol Version 4 (BGPv4), and Intermediate System-to-Intermediate System (IS-IS).
Table 1. Software Configuration Options for the Cisco ME 4924-10GE Switch
Software Image
Description
IP Base Image
Standard Layer 3 image, including RIPv1 and v2, static routes, includes EIGRP stub
Enterprise Services Image
Enhanced Layer 3 image, includes OSPF, IS-IS, EIGRP, and Border Gateway Protocol (BGP), AppleTalk, and Internetwork Packet Exchange (IPX) software routing. Also includes all IP Base Image features.
SFP-based Gigabit Ethernet ports accommodate a wide range of 1000BASE-X SFP transceivers. The options include Cisco 1000BASE-T, 1000BASE-SX, 1000BASE-LX, 1000BASE-ZX, and coarse wavelength-division multiplexing (CWDM) SFP transceivers.
The Cisco Metro Ethernet switching portfolio includes the industry-leading Cisco ME 6524, ME 3750, and ME 3400 Series intelligent Ethernet switches. By using Cisco ME switches for metro access and aggregation along with Cisco Catalyst 6500 and Catalyst 4500 Series Switches and Cisco 7600 Series routers in the aggregation/core layers, service providers can build a flexible, integrated network with end-to-end intelligence.
Applications
Metro Ethernet aggregation switches are typically deployed in central office locations. Service providers are often challenged to find enough space to deploy equipment. To ease this obstacle, the Cisco ME 4924 is designed with a compact form factor (1RU). In addition, it is built with high-performance 10 Gigabit Ethernet uplinks to further reduce the space required to deliver triple-play services to residential customers. A typical broadband service deployment contains customer premise equipment (CPE) connected to large UPE nodes that aggregate hundreds of individual users. High performance UPE network nodes have fiber GE uplinks that connect to PE-aggregation devices like the Cisco ME 4924. PE-aggregation devices need to aggregate traffic from thousands of users and uplink to the Network Provider Edge (NPE). Figure 2 shows a typical SP network.
Figure 2. Service Provider Network
Triple-Play Service
Triple-play service is a popular choice for service providers. By combining Internet access, voice, and video services into a single unified offering, service providers can generate higher average revenue per user (ARPU) and increase customer retention. The Cisco ME 4924 is optimized for triple-play service. By delivering essential features in the areas of QoS, multicast, and security, the Cisco ME 4924 helps service providers increase their competitive edge by deploying successful triple-play services.
Increased Service Availability
The Cisco ME 4924 can be equipped with an optional redundant power supply, available in both AC and DC versions. The power supply redundancy gives service providers an immediate failover capability in the case of a power supply or circuit failure. Power redundancy decreases the chance of service outage and allows the service provider to offer a service-level agreement (SLA) with a higher level of service availability.
The power supplies for the Cisco ME 4924 are also field-replaceable and hot-swappable, allowing service providers to replace a failed power supply without interrupting their customers' service. The redundant power supplies built into the Cisco ME 4924 enable service providers to build a resilient, highly available network.
Security
The Cisco ME 4924 supports a comprehensive set of security features for connectivity and access control, including access control lists (ACLs), authentication, port-level security, and identity-based network services with 802.1x and extensions. The ACLs allow service providers to restrict unwanted traffic into their networks by denying packets based on source and destination MAC addresses, IP addresses, or TCP/User Datagram Protocol (UDP) ports. All ACL lookups are done in hardware, so forwarding and routing performance is not compromised when implementing ACL-based security in the network.
Key Features and Benefits
Table 2 describes the key features and benefits of the Cisco ME 4924.
Table 2. Key Features and Benefits of Cisco ME 4924-10GE Switch
• Compact form factor (1RU) allows for deployment in space-constrained areas.
• Support for SFP and X2 transceivers provides flexible uplink options.
• Both AC and DC power options are available.
Triple-Play Services
• 10 GE uplinks allow for easy delivery of high-bandwidth services such as video on demand and high-definition TV (HDTV).
High-Performance IP Routing
• Basic IP Unicast routing protocols (static and RIPv1 and v2) are supported for small-network routing applications.
• Advanced IP Unicast routing protocols (OSPF, EIGRP, and BGPv4) are supported for load balancing and constructing scalable networks.
• Hot Standby Router Protocol (HSRP) provides dynamic load balancing and failover for routed links.
Intelligent QoS and Traffic Management
• Sharing, shaping, and strict-priority configurations determine scheduling of egress traffic.
Wire-Speed Performance in All Directions
• High-performance switching is maintained regardless of the number of route entries or Layer 3 and Layer 4 services enabled.
Product Architecture
Based on the Catalyst 4900 Series Switching Engine
The Cisco ME 4924 shares the same packet processing engine as the Catalyst 4900 Series. This processing engine allows for ultralow latency and predictable performance regardless of the number and type of services enabled.
Wire-Speed Performance in All Directions
The Cisco ME 4924 delivers wire-speed throughput with low latency for data-intensive applications using a 96-Gbps switching fabric with a forwarding rate of 71 million packets per second (mpps) in hardware for Layer 2-4 traffic. High-performance switching is maintained regardless of the number of route entries or Layer 3 and 4 services enabled. Hardware-based Cisco Express Forwarding routing architecture allows for increased scalability and performance. X2 10 Gigabit Ethernet optics provide 20 Gigabit Ethernet wire-speed uplinks for maximum throughput of traffic over high-performance backbone rings.
Service Management Options
The Cisco ME 4924 offers a superior command-line interface (CLI) for detailed configuration. In addition, it supports CiscoWorks and the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) for networkwide management. Service providers can integrate the Cisco ME 4924 transparently into their OSS and enable improved flow-through provisioning.
Technical Specifications
Performance and Switching Specifications
• 96-Gbps nonblocking switch fabric
• 71-mpps Layer 2 forwarding (hardware)
• 71-mpps Layer 3 and 4 forwarding - IP routing, Cisco Express Forwarding-based (hardware)
• No performance penalty for granular QoS functions
• ANCP enables a distributed, network based conditional access control for multicast, policy distribution and enforcement
Comprehensive Management
• Manageable through CiscoWorks network-management software on a per-port and per-switch basis, providing a common management interface for Cisco routers, switches, and hubs
• connect the Management Port to the management network for telneting to the supervisor without using the console port, even in IOS mode.
• Store multiple crashdumps in the bootflash
• Manageable through Cisco Network Assistant
• SNMPv1, v2, and v3 instrumentation, delivering comprehensive in-band management
• CLI-based management console to provide detailed out-of-band management
• Remote Monitoring (RMON) software agent to support four RMON groups (history, statistics, alarms, and events) for enhanced traffic management, monitoring, and analysis
• Support for all nine RMON groups through the use of a Cisco SwitchProbe analyzer (Switched Port Analyzer [SPAN]) port, which permits traffic monitoring of a single port, a group of ports, or the entire switch from a single network analyzer or RMON probe
• Analysis support, including ingress port, egress port, and VLAN SPAN
Cisco CWDM SFP 1490 nm; Gigabit Ethernet and FC (violet)
Cisco CWDM SFP 1510 nm; Gigabit Ethernet and FC (blue)
Cisco CWDM SFP 1530 nm; Gigabit Ethernet and 1G/2G FC (green)
Cisco CWDM SFP 1550 nm; Gigabit Ethernet and FC (yellow)
Cisco CWDM SFP 1570 nm; Gigabit Ethernet and FC (orange)
Cisco CWDM SFP 1590 nm; Gigabit Ethernet and FC (red)
Cisco CWDM SFP 1610 nm; Gigabit Ethernet and FC (brown)
Supported X2 Transceivers
Table 4. X2 Transceivers Supported by
X2 Transceivers
10 Gigabit Ethernet CX4, up to 15m on IBX4 cable
10 Gigabit Ethernet LX4, 300m on multimode fiber (MMF)
10 Gigabit Ethernet SR, 26 to 300m on MMF (depends on MMF type)
10 Gigabit Ethernet LR, 10 km on single-mode fiber (SMF) (G.652)
10 Gigabit Ethernet ER, 40 km on single-mode fiber (SMF) (G.652)
10 Gigabit Ethernet ZR, 80km on single-mode fiber (SMF) (G.652)
10 Gigabit Ethernet DWDM, 80km on single-mode fiber (SMF) (G.652)
Power Supply Specifications
The Cisco ME 4924 offers a choice of 300-watt (W) AC or DC power supplies. The switch can operate with one power supply present. When two power supplies are installed, the switch shares the power load between the two supplies (Table 4).
Table 5. AC and DC Power Supply Specifications
Specification
300W AC
300W DC
Input Current
4A at 110V
2A at 220V
8A at -48 to -60V
Output Current
25A at 12 VDC
25A at 12 VDC
Weight
2.0 kg
2.0 kg
Heat Dissipation
1023 BTU per hour
1023 BTU per hour
Switch Dimensions
• Width: 17.290 in. (43.9166 cm)
• Depth: 16.14 in. (40.9956 cm)
• Height: 1.712 in. (4.445 cm)
• Weight: 16.5 lb (7.48 kg) with one power supply
Software Requirements
The Cisco ME 4924 is supported only in Cisco IOS® Software and is not supported in Cisco Catalyst OS Software. The minimum software release is Cisco IOS Software Release 12.2(31)SGA or later.
Environmental Conditions
• Operating temperature: 32 to 104ºF (0 to 40ºC)
• Storage temperature: -40 to 167ºF (-40 to 75ºC)
• Relative humidity: 10 to 90 percent, noncondensing
• Operating altitude: -60 to 2000m
Regulatory Standards Compliance
Table 6 lists the regulatory, safety, and EMC standards that are met by the Cisco ME 4924.
Table 6. Regulatory Standards Compliance
Specification
Description
Regulatory Compliance
Products bear CE Marking, indicating compliance with the 89/336/EEC and 73/23/EEC directives, which include the following safety and EMC standards.
Safety
• UL 60950-1
• CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 60950-1
• EN 60950-1
• IEC 60950-1
• AS/NZS 60950
• IEC 60825-1
• IEC 60825-2
• EN 60825-1
• EN 60825-2
• 21 CFR 1040
EMC
• FCC Part 15 (CFR 47) Class A
• ICES-003 Class A
• EN55022 Class A
• CISPR22 Class A
• AS/NZS 3548 Class A
• VCCI Class A
• EN55024
• ETS300 386
• EN50082-1
• EN61000-3-2
• EN61000-3-3
Table 7. NEBS and ETSI Specifications
Specification
Description
Network Equipment Building Standards (NEBS)
• GR-63-Core NEBS Level 3
• GR-1089-Core NEBS Level 3
European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI)
• ETS 300 019 Storage Class 1.1
• ETS 300 019 Transportation Class 2.3
• ETS 300 019 Stationary Use Class 3.1
Warranty
The warranty for the Cisco ME 4924 is a one-year limited hardware warranty; it includes hardware replacement with a 10-day turnaround from receipt of a return materials authorization (RMA).
Cisco Technical Support Services
Cisco Technical Support Services help to ensure that your Cisco products operate efficiently, remain highly available, and benefit from current system software to assist you in effectively managing your network service while controlling operational costs.
Cisco Technical Support Services provide significant benefits that go beyond what is offered under the Cisco warranty policy. Services available under a Cisco SMARTnet® service contract that are not covered under a warranty include the following (also refer to Tables 7 and 8):
• Latest software updates
• Rapid replacement of hardware in next-day, 4-hour, or 2-hour dispatch options
• Ongoing technical support through Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC)
Cisco Systems® offers a wide range of services programs to accelerate customer success. These innovative services programs are delivered through a unique combination of people, processes, tools, and partners, resulting in high levels of customer satisfaction. Cisco services help you to protect your network investment, optimize network operations, and prepare the network for new applications to extend network intelligence and the power of your business. For more information about Cisco Services, see Cisco Technical Support Services or Cisco Advanced Services.
For More Information
For more information about the Cisco ME 4924-10GE, visit http://www.cisco.com or contact your local account representative.
