Cisco^® Network Convergence System (NCS) 520 are next-generation Layer 2 and Layer 3 capable, MEF 3.0 Certified, customer-located devices and network demarcation devices for service providers. These 10 Gigabit Ethernet demarcation points redefine the demarcation between the customer LAN and a service provider’s mobile and cloud applications. They provide standards-based demarcation as defined by the Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF) for Carrier Ethernet services such as Ethernet point-to-point line (ELINE) and Ethernet multipoint-to-multipoint (ELAN) services, E-Tree, Access E-Line, Transit E-Line with advanced clocking and Quality of Service (QoS).

The Cisco NCS 520 (Figure 1) is designed to be deployed as a «touchless» Network Interface Device. That means Zero-Touch Provisioning (ZTP) to simplify deployment.

Product overview

The Cisco NCS 520 comes in a small form factor (1RU) and is fixed, in these configurations:

●  Cisco NCS 520 4G4Z-A with an AC power supply, two RJ45 GE interfaces, two SFP GE interfaces, and four dual-rate 1GE/10GE SFP+ interfaces.

●  Cisco NCS 520 X–4G4Z-A with an AC power supply, two RJ45 GE interfaces, two SFP GE interfaces, four dual-rate 1GE/10GE SFP+ interfaces. Can withstand highly humid and dusty environments. Has timing (pending software support) interfaces.

●  Cisco NCS 520 X–4G4Z-D with dual DC power supply, two RJ45 GE interfaces, two SFP GE, four dual-rate 1GE/10GE SFP+ interfaces. Can withstand highly humid and dusty environments. Has timing (pending software support) interfaces.

●  Cisco NCS 520 -20G4Z-A with dual AC power supply, four RJ45 GE interfaces, sixteen SFP GE interfaces, and four dual-rate 1GE/10GE SFP+ interfaces.

●  Cisco NCS 520 -20G4Z-D with dual DC power supply, four RJ45 GE interfaces, sixteen SFP GE interfaces, and four dual-rate 1GE/10GE SFP+ interfaces.

●  Cisco NCS 520 X–20G4Z-A with dual AC power supply, four RJ45 GE interfaces, sixteen SFP GE interfaces, four dual-rate 1GE/10GE SFP+ interfaces. Can withstand highly humid and dusty environments. Has timing (pending software support) interfaces.

●  Cisco NCS 520 X–20G4Z-D with dual DC power supply, four RJ45 GE interfaces, sixteen SFP GE, four dual-rate 1GE/10GE SFP+ interfaces. Can withstand highly humid and dusty environments. Has timing (pending software support) interfaces.

Designed for Ethernet demarcation and carrier Ethernet access, the Cisco NCS 520’s differentiating features include:

●  Robust device security with features such as TrustAnchor module, secure JTAG, runtime defenses

●  Line-rate performance for all Layer 2 interfaces

●  Built on a carrier Ethernet Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) with critical functions in hardware

●  EVC architecture and QoS model as per MEF standards

●  Extended operating temperatures

●  Dense small form factor: 1RU with 9 in. depth

●  Redundant power options

Features and benefits

Pay-as-you-grow investment model

The Return On Investment (ROI) on an access element is heavily influenced by its location in the network and proximity to customers. The ability to deploy the Cisco NCS 520 and later activate features on demand delivers investment protection. This protection allows flexibility for deploying timing (To be developed), 10 GE services, and boosting service capacity.

ZTP

ZTP automates configuration of the Cisco NCS 520 when it is deployed in the network. The ZTP process is activated by pressing the ZTP button on the front of the Cisco NCS 520. This minimizes manual operator intervention, minimizes configuration time, and helps reduce customers’ initial deployment costs.

Ethernet services with enhanced QoS

The Cisco NCS 520 provides all the features required for MEF 3.0 service initiation, including services such as ELINE, ELAN, ETREE, ACCESS ELINE, TRANSIT ELINE. To help maintain proper QoS for these services, the Cisco NCS 520 offers rich traffic classification and hierarchical QoS for per-port services. To help ensure that Service-Level Agreements (SLAs) are enforced, ingress traffic policing and egress shaping are also supported.

Rich OAM for service assurance

Service assurance is provided through a rich feature set of Operations, Administration, and Maintenance (OAM) functionalities. The performance management traffic is time stamped in hardware to help ensure great accuracy. The Cisco NCS 520 offers standards-based fault and performance management in adherence with 1731 PM and 802.1ag Connectivity Fault Management (CFM) standards. The Cisco NCS 520 comes with service turn-up capabilities (RFC 2544 and Y.1564, planned to be developed) that include both generation and reflection of traffic. This feature contributes to significant reduction in OpEx and allows for troubleshooting without expensive service calls.

Advanced timing services

For mobile deployments, the Cisco NCS 520 offers SyncE and IEEE 1588v2 with ordinary, transparent, and boundary clock capabilities. Timing capabilities will be developed post product release and are not available at First Customer Ship date.

Software

The Cisco NCS 520 runs on Cisco IOS^® XE Polaris Software, which is a modular operating system. Cisco IOS XE Software is designed to provide modular packaging, feature velocity, and powerful resiliency. For more information about the supported features and software capabilities, see the Cisco IOS XE Software data sheet.

Product specifications

Tables 1 through 4 list the product, power, environmental, safety and compliance specifications for the Cisco NCS 520

Table 1.  Cisco NCS 520 system specifications

Table 2.  Power specifications

Table 3.  Environmental specifications

Table 4.  Safety and compliance

Ordering information

Table 5 provides ordering information.

Table 5.  Ordering information

Warranty information

Warranty information is available on Cisco.com at the Product Warranties page.

Service and support

Cisco offers a wide range of services programs to help accelerate customer success. These innovative services programs are delivered through a unique combination of people, processes, tools, and partners, promoting high levels of customer satisfaction. Cisco Services help you protect your network investment, optimize network operations, and prepare your network for new applications to extend network intelligence and the power of your business. For more information about Cisco Services, refer to Cisco Technical Support Services or Cisco Advanced Services.

Cisco is committed to reducing your total cost of ownership. Cisco offers a portfolio of technical support services to help ensure that Cisco products operate efficiently, remain highly available, and benefit from the most up-to-date system software. The services and support programs described in Table 6 are available as part of the Cisco Carrier Ethernet Switching Service and Support solution and are available directly from Cisco and through resellers.

Table 6.  Service and support