CHAPTER 1
Cisco 900 Series Integrated Services Routers
Overview
This chapter provides an overview of Cisco 900 Series Integrated Services Routers (ISRs). The chapter
contains the following sections:
• Overview of the Cisco 900 Series ISR, page 1
• Cisco 900 Series ISR Models, page 2
• Cisco 900 Series ISR Features, page 3
Overview of the Cisco 900 Series ISR
Cisco 900 Series ISRs are entry level branch routers that provide secure network connectivity for small
offices to a central location. These powerful, fixed-configuration routers provide secure broadband and
Metro Ethernet and connectivity. Service providers offering managed Ethernet WAN services can deploy
them in customer locations as CPE.
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Chapter Cisco 900 Series Integrated Services Routers Overview
Cisco 900 Series ISR Models
Figure 1-1 explains a scenario where the Cisco 900 Series ISR is deployed to provide remote
connectivity from a small office to central office over secure VPN tunnels. In this scenario corporate
users use a separate VLAN than the Internet users.
Figure 1-1 Cisco 900 Series Deployment Example
Internet Internet
Access Only
ISP Corporate
Cisco 900 Campus
VPN
Tunnel
Headquarters
Management
Employee
367591
(Corporate
VPN Access)
Cisco 900 Series ISR Models
Cisco 900 Series ISRs are available in the following models:
• Cisco C921-4P
• Cisco C921J-4P
• Cisco C931-4P
Table 1-1 summarizes the LAN and WAN interface options available for the Cisco 900 Series ISR
models.
Table 1-1 LAN and WAN Interfaces of the Cisco 900 Series ISRs
900 Series Models LAN Interfaces GE WAN Interfaces
Cisco C921-4P 4 port 10/100/1000 Mbps managed 2 Gigabit Ethernet ports
switch
Cisco C921J-4P 4 port 10/100/1000 Mbps managed 2 Gigabit Ethernet ports
switch
C921-4PLTEGB 4 port 10/100/1000 Mbps managed 2 Gigabit Ethernet ports
switch
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900 Series Models LAN Interfaces GE WAN Interfaces
C921-4PLTEAU 4 port 10/100/1000 Mbps managed 2 Gigabit Ethernet ports
switch
C921-4PLTENA 4 port 10/100/1000 Mbps managed 2 Gigabit Ethernet ports
switch
C926-4P 4 port 10/100/1000 Mbps managed 1 Gigabit Ethernet ports
switch
C926-4PLTEGB 4 port 10/100/1000 Mbps managed 1 Gigabit Ethernet ports
switch
C927-4P 4 port 10/100/1000 Mbps managed 1 Gigabit Ethernet ports
switch
C927-4PM 4 port 10/100/1000 Mbps managed 1 Gigabit Ethernet ports
switch
C927-4PLTEGB 4 port 10/100/1000 Mbps managed 1 Gigabit Ethernet ports
switch
C927-4PMLTEGB 4 port 10/100/1000 Mbps managed 1 Gigabit Ethernet ports
switch
C927-4PLTEAU 4 port 10/100/1000 Mbps managed 1 Gigabit Ethernet ports
switch
Cisco C931-4P 4 port 10/100/1000 Mbps managed 2 Gigabit Ethernet ports
switch
Cisco 900 Series ISR Features
Some of the key features supported by Cisco 900 Series ISRs are:
• Redundant WAN connections for failover protection and load balancing
• Dynamic failover protocols such as Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol (VRRP; RFC 2338) and
Hot Standby Router Protocol (HSRP)
• Network perimeter security with integrated application inspection firewall
• Data privacy through high-speed IP Security (IPsec) Triple Data Encryption Standard (3DES) and
Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) encryption
• Enforced security policy with intrusion prevention
• Security hardware acceleration
• Next-generation encryption for secure network communications systems, reliable for the next
decade
• Supports LAN connections
• Simplifies and centralizes configuration and management of wireless and wireline devices. Supports
WLAN services without requiring a wireless LAN controller
• Supports separate console and USB ports
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LEDs on the Cisco 900 Series ISR
Table 1-2 describes the LEDs on the Cisco 900 Series ISR.
Table 1-2 LEDs on the Cisco 900 Series ISR
LED Color Description
SYS OFF System is off.
Blink Boot up phase or in ROM Monitor
mode.
Steady on Normal operation.
Amber(steady) Thermal trip.
Amber(blink) ROMMON code signing verification
failure.
VPN OK Green At least one VPN session is active.
OFF VPN not connected.
LAN Green(Solid) LAN connection is established
Green (Blinking) Data transmission is happening on the
link.
OFF LAN is not connected.
WAN Green(Solid) WAN link is established.
Green (Blinking) Data transmission is happening on the
link.
OFF WAN link is not connected.
DSL CD OFF Shut.
Green(Blinking) Training, or no shut and cable
disconnected.
Green (solid) Trained.
DSL Data OFF Shut.
Green(Blinking) TX/RX Data.
RSSI Green (Solid) Signal > –60 dBm
Very strong signal
Yellow 60dBm > Signal > -75dBm
Strong signal
Yellow(blinking) 75dBm > Signal > -90dBm
Fair signal
OFF Signal < –90 dBm
Unusable signal
SIM OFF No SIM.
Steady on SIM present in slot.
Blink TXD/RXD data.
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