Infinian Technology Dealer, Distributor and Partner of Cisco NCS Series: 520, 540,560, 5500 and 6000 Router in India – Bangalore and Chennai for Price/Cost Call: 9739091119
The Cisco Network Convergence System (NCS) Series — Cisco’s modern high-performance platforms delivering edge-to-core routing across access, aggregation, metro, and optical domains:

📊 Quick Comparison Table
| Series | Form Factor | Max Capacity | Typical Role | Special Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCS 520 | 1RU fixed | ~40–100 G | Access / Enterprise Edge (IOS XE) | Compact, simple, ASR XE alternative |
| NCS 540 | 1RU fixed | ~100–400 G | Metro-edge / Mobile aggregation | Timing accuracy, hardened, coherent optics |
| NCS 560 | 4RU or 7RU chassis | ~800 Gbps | Redundant aggregation & pre‑agg | Dual RSP, flexible optics, high availability |
| NCS 5500 | Fixed & modular options | Hundreds of G to Tbps | WAN/Core-edge aggregation | High density 100/400G, automation, DDoS protection |
| NCS 6000 | Large modular chassis | Multi‑Pbps | Metro/core packet‑optical convergence | Packet‑optical integration, massive scale |
🚀 Key Highlights of Cisco NCS Series
- Massive Scale & Port Density
- Supports 100G, 200G, and 400G Ethernet ports
- Ideal for metro aggregation, WAN core, and data center interconnect
- Modular & Fixed Platforms
- Choose between fixed systems for pre-aggregation and modular chassis for scalable deployments
- Examples include:
- NCS 5504: Up to 4 line cards
- NCS 5508: Up to 8 line cards
- NCS 5516: Up to 16 line cards
- Powered by Cisco IOS XR
- Cloud-enhanced OS with open APIs, automation, and telemetry
- Supports Segment Routing, EVPN, and programmable QoS
- Sustainability & Efficiency
- Power-efficient design (as low as 0.3 watts per gigabite
- Reduces manual operations through automation
- Security & DDoS Protection
- Integrated edge protection against malicious traffic
- Secure boot and trusted hardware modules
| Line Card Model | Ports | Features |
|---|---|---|
| NC55-36X100G | 36 × 100GE QSFP28 | 6 ASICs, 256K IPv4 routes, breakout support |
| NC55-24H12F-SB | 24 × 100GE + 12 × 40GE | 4 ASICs, 2M IPv4 routes, high-scale FIB |
🔹 Key Benefits of Cisco NCS Series
- Scalability: Supports a wide range of port densities and configurations to meet the growing demands of modern networks.
- Programmability: Enables automation and programmability through support for NETCONF, YANG, and streaming telemetry.
- Security: Built-in security features such as MACSec, secure boot, and runtime defense mechanisms.
- Low Latency: Designed to provide ultra-low latency forwarding, essential for time-sensitive applications like 5G and IoT.
- Energy Efficiency: Optimized for low power consumption, contributing to reduced operational costs and environmental impact.
🔹 Use Cases
- Service Provider Networks: Ideal for core, metro, and aggregation layers, supporting high-speed data transport and service delivery.
- Enterprise WAN: Suitable for large-scale enterprise networks requiring high-performance routing and secure connectivity.
- Data Center Interconnect: Facilitates efficient and scalable interconnection between data centers.
- Mobile Edge: Supports 5G and IoT applications with low latency and high throughput requirements.
Cisco NCS Series routers in India typically range from ₹2,00,000 to ₹40,00,000+, depending on the model, configuration, and licensing. These routers are designed for service providers and large enterprises requiring scalable, high-throughput networking.
💰 Estimated Price Range by Model
Cisco NCS 520 ₹2,00,000–₹6,00,000 Access and enterprise edge
Cisco NCS 540 ₹4,00,000–₹10,00,000 Metro-edge and mobile aggregation
Cisco NCS 560 ₹10,00,000–₹20,00,000 Aggregation and pre-aggregation
Cisco NCS 5500 ₹15,00,000–₹30,00,000+ WAN and core-edge aggregation
Cisco NCS 6000 ₹30,00,000–₹40,00,000+ Metro and core routing
These prices vary based on:
- Port configuration (10G, 25G, 40G, 100G)
- Licensing (smart licensing, telemetry, security)
- Support plans (Cisco Smart Net Total Care)
- Condition (new vs refurbished)
📦 Buying Tips
- Request a formal quote to ensure compatibility with your network and licensing needs.
- Verify warranty and support options, especially for refurbished units.
- Ask about demo units or volume discounts for multi-site deployments.
What is the main use case for Cisco NCS routers?
They are primarily used in service provider cores, metro networks, and cloud-scale infrastructures, handling high-bandwidth traffic, MPLS, segment routing, and 5G transport.
What are the main Cisco NCS Series Router Models/families?
| eries | Role | Throughput Range | Typical Use |
|---|
| NCS 500 Series | Access/Edge | 10–100 Gbps | Edge routing, Metro access |
| NCS 540 Series | Access/Aggregation | 100–400 Gbps | 5G backhaul, Metro aggregation |
| NCS 5500 Series | Aggregation/Core | 1–14 Tbps | Data center and SP edge |
| NCS 5700 Series | Core/Edge | Up to 25 Tbps | High-density 100/400G routing |
| NCS 6000 Series | Core | 5–100 Tbps | Service provider backbone |
| NCS 7000 Series | Core / Cloud | 10–100+ Tbps | Hyperscale data centers |
What OS do Cisco NCS routers use?
NCS 500 / 540 / 5500: run Cisco IOS XR (64-bit).
NCS 5700 / 6000 / 7000: also use IOS XR, built for high reliability and scalability.
What’s special about Cisco IOS XR?
It’s modular, Linux-based, supports model-driven telemetry, NETCONF/YANG, and zero-touch provisioning (ZTP) — ideal for large-scale automation.
What security features are supported in Cisco NCS Router?
MACsec (Layer 2 encryption)
IPsec tunneling
Control plane protection (CoPP)
Segment Routing and MPLS Security
Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
What’s the throughput range of Cisco NCS routers?
NCS 500/540: 10–400 Gbps
NCS 5500: up to 14 Tbps
NCS 5700: up to 25 Tbps
NCS 6000: up to 100 Tbps
NCS 7000: 10 Tbps and beyond
What interfaces do they support?
1G, 10G, 25G, 40G, 100G, and 400G Ethernet
Coherent optics for long-distance transport
CFP2-DCO and QSFP-DD modules
Where are Cisco NCS routers typically deployed?
Service Provider Edge & Core Networks
5G xHaul and Metro Aggregation
Cloud & Data Center Interconnect (DCI)
High-performance Enterprise WAN Backbones
What is the Price/Cost Range of Cisco NCS Series Router?
Pricing (India Estimate)
| Model | Typical Throughput | Approx. Price (INR) | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| NCS 520 / NCS 540 | 10–100 Gbps | ₹3 – ₹8 lakh | Access/Edge router |
| NCS 5500 Series | 1–14 Tbps | ₹15 – ₹35 lakh | Aggregation/Metro |
| NCS 5700 Series | Up to 25 Tbps | ₹40 – ₹70 lakh | Core/Edge |
| NCS 6000 Series | Up to 100 Tbps | ₹80 lakh – ₹2 crore+ | SP Core |
| NCS 7000 Series | 10 – 100+ Tbps | ₹1 crore – ₹3 crore+ | Hyperscale Data Center |
(Prices vary by configuration, optics, licenses, and vendor support.)
Comparison with Other Cisco NCS, ASR and Catalyst Routers?
Comparison with Other Cisco Routers
| Feature | NCS Series | ASR 1000 | Catalyst 8500 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Target Use | SP Core / Aggregation | Enterprise Edge | Enterprise SD-WAN |
| OS | IOS XR | IOS XE | IOS XE |
| Throughput | Up to 100+ Tbps | Up to 200 Gbps | Up to 400 Gbps |
| SDN/Automation | Full (NETCONF/YANG) | Partial | Yes |
| Virtualization | Limited (carrier-grade) | Yes | Yes |
| SD-WAN | No (SP focus) | Optional | Native |