Cisco C8300-1N1S-6T – High-Performance Enterprise Edge Router

Product Overview

The Cisco C8300-1N1S-6T is a modular enterprise-class edge router designed for branch offices, enterprise networks, and secure cloud connectivity. Part of the Cisco 8300 Series Edge Platforms, it provides a high-performance WAN edge solution with advanced routing, security, and scalability.

With one network interface module (NIM) slot, one service module (SM) slot, and six Gigabit Ethernet ports, this router is ideal for organizations requiring high throughput, reliable connectivity, and flexibility for future upgrades.

Powered by Cisco IOS XE, it supports programmable software architecture, advanced automation, and SD-WAN capabilities, enabling zero-touch provisioning, policy-based routing, and secure WAN connections.

This router is built to handle voice, video, and data traffic simultaneously, making it suitable for modern enterprise environments with high network demands.

Hardware Specifications

Key Features and Capabilities

1. High-Performance Routing

• 6 Gigabit Ethernet ports provide high-speed LAN connectivity.

• NIM slot allows WAN expansion modules (e.g., 1G/10G SFP, DSL, or fiber modules).

• Service module slot supports additional services such as firewall, LTE, or VPN acceleration.

• Capable of routing multiple traffic types simultaneously, including voice, video, and data.

2. WAN Edge and SD-WAN Capabilities

• Supports policy-based routing, dynamic routing protocols (OSPF, BGP, EIGRP).

• SD-WAN ready with centralized management, application-aware routing, and security policies.

• Enables secure cloud connectivity, including Internet breakout and VPN tunnels.

• Optimized for high availability and reliability in branch deployments.

3. Security Features

• Supports stateful firewall capabilities, integrated IPS/IDS when configured with modules.

• Role-based access control for management interfaces.

• Supports MAC address filtering, DHCP snooping, and ACLs to secure network traffic.

• Advanced VPN options for secure branch-to-branch and cloud connectivity.

4. Automation and Programmability

• Powered by Cisco IOS XE, allowing programmatic control, automation, and telemetry.

• REST API and NETCONF/YANG support for configuration automation.

• Enables zero-touch provisioning for quick deployment.

• Real-time telemetry streams for proactive network monitoring.

5. Redundancy and High Availability

• Optional dual PSU for power redundancy.

• NIM and SM slots allow modular upgrades without full router replacement.

• Failover supported for WAN interfaces to maintain uninterrupted connectivity.

• Variable-speed fans reduce operational noise while maintaining cooling efficiency.

Cisco C8300-1N1S-6T – High-Performance Enterprise Edge Router

Network Deployment Scenarios

1. Branch Office Deployment

• Connects all branch office LAN devices: PCs, printers, IP phones, and APs.

• WAN uplinks to corporate network or cloud services using modular NIM slot.

• SD-WAN capabilities allow dynamic path selection for optimal performance.

• PoE not included; devices powered separately.

2. Small to Medium Enterprise WAN Edge

• Acts as a gateway to the internet and corporate WAN.

• Supports multiple WAN connections for load balancing and failover.

• Can host firewall or VPN modules in SM slot for enhanced security.

• Ideal for enterprises requiring branch-to-cloud or branch-to-branch secure connectivity.

3. Cloud-Ready Deployments

• Supports direct cloud internet breakouts.

• Policy-based routing ensures traffic is directed optimally to SaaS applications.

• SD-WAN integration allows centralized control, monitoring, and security policies.

• Capable of segmenting traffic by application type, improving overall network performance.

Cisco C8300-1N1S-6T – High-Performance Enterprise Edge Router

Configuration and Management

1. Initial Setup

• Rack-mount the router in a 1U slot.

• Connect power and WAN interfaces.

• Assign management IP addresses via console or web GUI.

• Configure initial credentials and security policies.

2. WAN Interface Configuration

• Insert NIM module for required WAN connectivity (fiber, Ethernet, or LTE).

• Configure dynamic or static routing protocols.

• Enable failover for backup WAN connections.

• Monitor interface status and throughput.

3. LAN Interface Configuration

• Assign IP addresses and VLANs to 6 LAN ports.

• Connect LAN switches and access points.

• Apply ACLs and QoS to prioritize critical applications like voice or video.

4. SD-WAN and Automation

• Register device with Cisco vManage (if SD-WAN deployed).

• Define traffic policies for SaaS and cloud applications.

• Enable telemetry for real-time network performance monitoring.

• Use REST APIs or NETCONF/YANG for automated configuration across multiple devices.

Cisco C8300-1N1S-6T – High-Performance Enterprise Edge Router

High Availability and Redundancy

• Optional dual PSU ensures continuous operation during power failure.

• Modular NIM and SM slots allow hot-swappable upgrades.

• Redundant WAN paths ensure uninterrupted branch-to-branch or branch-to-cloud connectivity.

• Failover configurations can prioritize backup links and optimize traffic routing.

Cisco C8300-1N1S-6T – High-Performance Enterprise Edge Router

Advanced Features

1. Routing Protocols

   • OSPF, EIGRP, BGP, and RIP support.

   • Policy-based routing for traffic optimization.

2. Firewall & VPN Support

   • Modular firewall in SM slot.

   • IPsec VPN tunnels for secure branch or cloud connections.

3. Quality of Service (QoS)

   • Prioritize voice, video, and mission-critical data.

   • Multiple egress queues per port.

4. Telemetry and Analytics

   • Streaming telemetry for proactive monitoring.

   • Real-time traffic analysis for bottleneck detection.

5. Modular Expansion

   • NIM and SM slots allow future-proofing for evolving network needs.

   • Add modules for LTE, additional WAN ports, or security functions.

Common Use Cases

1. Corporate Branch Office – LAN connectivity for workstations, phones, APs; secure WAN connection to HQ.

2. Small Enterprise WAN Edge – High-performance routing, firewall, VPN, and SD-WAN.

3. Cloud-First Deployment – Direct SaaS and cloud connectivity with policy-based routing.

4. Industrial Edge Router – IoT device connectivity with segmentation and secure remote management.

Maintenance and Troubleshooting

Regular Maintenance:

• Monitor system logs and WAN/LAN interfaces.

• Update IOS XE firmware periodically for security patches.

• Check NIM and SM modules for proper operation.

Troubleshooting Scenarios:

Cisco C8300-1N1S-6T – Ultimate Enterprise Deployment & Operations Guide

1. Detailed SD-WAN Deployment

Scenario: Medium to large branch office requiring dynamic path selection, cloud connectivity, and secure traffic management.

Step 1: Zero-Touch Provisioning

• Connect WAN and LAN interfaces.

• Assign management IP addresses via console or GUI.

• Register device in Cisco vManage for centralized SD-WAN management.

• Apply device templates for branch office configuration.

Best Practices:

• Ensure organization ID and policy templates are pre-configured in vManage.

• Use zero-touch provisioning to avoid manual errors during mass deployments.

Step 2: WAN Path Configuration

• Insert NIM module for WAN connectivity (fiber, Ethernet, LTE).

• Configure primary and secondary WAN links for redundancy.

• Apply policy-based routing for critical SaaS traffic (voice, video, ERP applications).

Example WAN Paths:

Step 3: SD-WAN Policies

• Application-Aware Routing (AAR): Prioritize business-critical applications.

• Dynamic Multipath Optimization (DMPO): Automatically selects the best path based on latency, jitter, and packet loss.

• Overlay VPNs: Secure communication between branches and HQ or cloud.

Tip: Use telemetry to monitor WAN performance in real-time for proactive optimization.

2. Modular Slot Usage – NIM & SM

Network Interface Module (NIM)

• Adds WAN connectivity options: fiber, DSL, LTE, or Ethernet.

• Hot-swappable for minimal downtime.

• Example: Install 10G SFP for high-throughput WAN link.

Service Module (SM)

• Adds functionality: firewall, VPN acceleration, LTE backup.

• Enhances security and performance at the branch.

• Supports hot-swappable modules for flexible upgrades.

Recommendation: Keep a spare SM module for quick deployment in high-availability setups.

3. LAN Deployment and VLAN Configuration

• 6 Gigabit Ethernet ports can be segmented into multiple VLANs for traffic separation.

Sample VLAN Setup:

Implementation Notes:

• Apply ACLs to isolate sensitive devices.

• Prioritize latency-sensitive traffic using QoS policies.

4. WAN & Branch Deployment Diagram

Notes:

• SD-WAN overlay provides automatic failover.

• NIM/SM modules enable flexible branch connectivity.

• VLAN isolation improves security and performance.

5. QoS and Traffic Prioritization

Traffic Categories & Priority:

Implementation Steps:

1. Enable 8 egress queues per port.

2. Configure DSCP marking and classification.

3. Apply policies globally or per VLAN/interface.

Tip: Monitor traffic patterns using telemetry and real-time dashboards for optimal performance.

6. Redundancy and High Availability

• Dual WAN links ensure uninterrupted branch connectivity.

• Optional dual PSU provides power redundancy.

• NIM/SM slots allow hot-swappable upgrades without downtime.

• SD-WAN overlay enables automatic path selection and failover.

Example Failover Flow:

7. Troubleshooting Workflow

Common Scenarios:

Pro Tip: Keep logs and telemetry data for proactive issue detection.

8. Branch, Campus, and Cloud Deployment Use Cases

1. Corporate Branch Office: LAN gateway, secure WAN, optional firewall, VPN for HQ connectivity.

2. Small Enterprise WAN Edge: Modular NIM/SM slots for flexible WAN, SD-WAN policy optimization.

3. Cloud-First Branch: Direct SaaS/cloud connectivity, traffic segmentation, QoS prioritization.

4. Industrial Edge Router: IoT sensors, CCTV, and AP connectivity with VLAN segmentation and secure remote management.

9. Maintenance & Best Practices

• Regularly monitor system logs, interface statistics, and WAN performance.

• Update IOS XE firmware for security patches and new features.

• Test NIM/SM modules for proper operation periodically.

• Backup configuration files for disaster recovery.

• Check LAN/WAN connectivity and QoS performance.

  Cisco C8300-1N1S-6T – Complete Enterprise Edge Router Operations & Deployment Guide

  ---

  1. Advanced SD-WAN Deployment

  Branch Office Scenario:

  • Medium-sized office (50–200 users) with VoIP phones, Wi-Fi APs, IP surveillance cameras, and cloud SaaS applications.

  • Requirement: secure WAN connectivity, dynamic path optimization, centralized SD-WAN management.

  Step 1: Device Registration & Provisioning

  1. Connect LAN and WAN interfaces.

  2. Assign a management IP via console or web GUI.

  3. Register the router with Cisco vManage for centralized configuration.

  4. Apply device templates, including:

     • WAN configuration

     • LAN VLAN mapping

     • QoS policies

     • Security/firewall rules

  Best Practices:

  • Zero-touch provisioning for multiple branch deployments.

  • Pre-configure organization ID and template policies in vManage.

  ---

  Step 2: WAN Interface & NIM Module Setup

  • Insert Network Interface Module (NIM) for WAN: fiber, Ethernet, DSL, or LTE backup.

  • Configure primary WAN interface as high-speed fiber.

  • Configure secondary WAN interface for failover or backup LTE connection.

  • Enable dynamic routing protocols (OSPF/BGP) for automatic path selection.

  ---

  Step 3: SD-WAN Overlay & Policies

  • Create VPN overlays for secure branch-to-branch and branch-to-cloud communication.

  • Apply Application-Aware Routing (AAR) to prioritize critical applications:

    • VoIP traffic

    • Video conferencing

    • Enterprise SaaS

  • Enable Dynamic Multipath Optimization (DMPO):

    • Routes traffic based on real-time latency, jitter, and packet loss.

  Pro Tip: Monitor WAN performance using real-time telemetry dashboards for proactive troubleshooting.

  ---

  2. LAN Architecture & VLAN Segmentation

  • 6 Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports can be divided into multiple VLANs.

  VLAN ID	Purpose	Devices Connected
  10	Voice	IP phones
  20	Wireless	Wi-Fi Access Points
  30	Corporate LAN	Workstations, PCs
  40	Guest / IoT	IoT devices, guest Wi-Fi
  50	Security/Surveillance	CCTV cameras

  VLAN Best Practices:

  • Apply ACLs to control inter-VLAN traffic.

  • Use QoS to prioritize latency-sensitive traffic like voice/video.

  • Monitor VLAN performance and adjust based on traffic patterns.

  ---

  3. Modular Slot Usage – NIM & SM

  Network Interface Module (NIM)

  • Provides WAN connectivity: fiber, Ethernet, DSL, LTE.

  • Hot-swappable, supports minimal downtime.

  • Future-proof: allows upgrading WAN speed without replacing the router.

  Service Module (SM)

  • Optional: firewall, VPN acceleration, LTE backup.

  • Hot-swappable for seamless upgrades.

  • Centralizes security and high-performance features at the WAN edge.

  ---

  4. WAN/LAN Deployment Diagram

  [Corporate HQ / Data Center]
|
Primary WAN / Secondary WAN
|
------------------------
| Cisco C8300-1N1S-6T |
|----------------------|
| LAN Ports (VLAN10-50)|
| NIM WAN Module |
| SM Security Module |
------------------------
|
Branch Office Devices:
IP Phones, PCs, APs, CCTV Cameras


  Notes:

  • SD-WAN overlays provide automatic failover.

  • Modular slots allow flexible WAN and security configurations.

  • VLAN separation isolates critical systems from guest/IoT traffic.

  ---

  5. QoS & Traffic Prioritization

  Traffic Type	Priority	QoS Action
  Voice / IP Phones	Highest	Low-latency queue, DSCP EF
  Video / Conferencing	High	Medium queue, DSCP AF41
  Corporate Applications	Medium	Standard queue, DSCP AF21
  Guest / IoT	Low	Best-effort queue, DSCP CS1

  Implementation Steps:

  1. Configure 8 egress queues per port.

  2. Mark traffic using DSCP values.

  3. Apply policies globally or per VLAN/interface.

  4. Monitor traffic using real-time dashboards for optimization.

  ---

  6. High Availability & Redundancy

  • Dual WAN links for automatic failover and load balancing.

  • Optional dual PSU for power redundancy.

  • Hot-swappable NIM/SM modules allow modular upgrades without downtime.

  • SD-WAN overlay ensures traffic is automatically rerouted in case of link failure.

  Example Failover Flow:

  WAN1 Active -> WAN2 Backup
WAN1 fails -> SD-WAN dynamically routes traffic via WAN2
NIM module fails -> traffic rerouted via SM or secondary path


  ---

  7. Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Workflow

  Issue	Steps to Resolve
  WAN link down	Check NIM module, inspect cable/SFP, failover to secondary WAN
  LAN port inactive	Verify VLAN, test alternate port/device
  VPN tunnel not establishing	Check peer IP, credentials, encryption, firewall rules
  SD-WAN traffic misrouting	Verify vManage policies and overlay tunnels
  Router overheating	Inspect fan operation, ensure proper airflow
  QoS not prioritizing traffic	Confirm DSCP marking and egress queue configuration

  Pro Tip: Use real-time telemetry for proactive detection of network issues.

  ---

  8. Advanced Deployment Use Cases

  1. Corporate Branch Office: LAN gateway with secure WAN, optional firewall, VPN to HQ.

  2. Small/Medium Enterprise WAN Edge: Modular NIM/SM slots, SD-WAN optimization.

  3. Cloud-First Branch: Direct SaaS access, application-aware routing, QoS prioritization.

  4. Industrial Edge Router: IoT, sensors, CCTV, VLAN separation, secure management.

Purchase & Support – Choicecycle (SGCCTV Singapore)

For Cisco C8300-1N1S-6T routers, professional support, and local consultation:

📍 Store Location: Sim Lim Square #02-81, Singapore
🕒 Operating Hours: 11 AM – 8 PM
📞 WhatsApp: +65 9853 4404
📧 Email: [email protected]
🌐 Website: https://sgcctv.biz