Carrier Routing System

Carrier Routing System (CRS) is a modular and distributed core router developed by Cisco Systems Inc that enables service providers to deliver data, voice, and video services over a scalable IP Next-Generation Network (NGN) infrastructure.

It supports a wide range of interface speeds and types such as channelized OC3, OC12 to OC768 on Packet over SONET and from 1GE, 10GE all the way to 100GE on the Ethernet technologies.

A standalone Carrier Routing System is deployed with a Line card chassis (LCC).

The three main functional units of this LCC are the Line cards, Switching fabric and Route processor.

The CRS runs IOS XR which is said to be designed for high-end carrier grade routers and was launched with CRS-1.

In both single- and multi-chassis configurations, the CRS switch fabrics are based on a three-stage Benes architecture.

The press release (reference) also claims that, the CRS-X 400 GE Line Card with Cisco AnyPort Technology uses Cisco’s CMOS photonic CPAK to reduce power consumption, heat dissipation and increase 100 GE port densities by a factor of three compared to competitive solutions.

This product will go up against Juniper Networks’ T4000 and PTX core routing systems and perhaps Alcatel-Lucent’s 7950 XRS.