Cisco WIC-1AM Full Official Technical Specification Document

1. Product Overview

Official Full Designation

Core Definition

SKU Naming Breakdown

1. WIC: WAN Interface Card, modular expansion slot adapter for Cisco Integrated Services Routers
2. 1: Single integrated analog modem port on the card
3. AM: Analog Modem, embedded PSTN dial-up modem hardware
4. =: Optional suffix for standalone spare-only WIC spare kits (WIC-1AM=)

Product Lifecycle Notice

• Official Global Release Year: 2002
• End-of-Sale (EoS) Status: Discontinued; Cisco permanently halted production of brand-new WIC-1AM hardware units
• Direct Upgrade Replacement Model: WIC-1AM-V2 second-generation analog modem WIC (supports firmware upgrade and V.92)
• Minimum Supported IOS Software Version: Cisco IOS Release 12.2(2)XB, 12.2(8)T and later mainline IOS releases
• Software Maintenance Status: Only critical security vulnerability patches are released for customers holding active Cisco DNA service contracts; no new feature enhancements will be developed
• Legacy Status: End-of-sale legacy hardware; certified refurbished spare modules, validated legacy IOS firmware images and 24×7 Cisco TAC engineering technical support remain available through authorized Cisco distribution partners

Supported Router Platform Compatibility

1. Cisco 1600 Series Modular Routers
2. Cisco 2600 Series (2610, 2611, 2620, 2621, 2650, 2651, base 2600 non-XM models)
3. Cisco 3600 Series Multiservice Routers (3620, 3640, 3660)

Deployment Restrictions

1. No hot-swap capability: The card cannot be safely inserted or removed while the router is powered on; complete power cycle of the chassis is mandatory for installation or replacement. Live removal triggers immediate dial interface outages and persistent system log error messages.
2. Firmware non-upgradable: The embedded modem’s internal firmware is hard-coded and cannot be updated in the field, unlike the V2 variant with flash-upgradable modem firmware.
3. Protocol limitation: Lacks V.92 modem protocol support; maximum 56Kbps V.90 speed is only achievable when dialing into a digital PSTN terminating access server (Cisco AS5xxx series). Connections to other analog modems cap at 33.6 kbps V.34bis.
4. Platform incompatibility: Not supported on 2600XM, 2691, 3700, 1800/2800/3800 ISR G2 routers; these platforms require the upgraded WIC-1AM-V2 card.

Standard Factory Complete Bundle Contents

1. WIC-1AM base single-port integrated analog modem WAN interface card with dual front-panel RJ-11 jacks (PSTN line + telephone pass-through) and two dedicated status LED indicators
2. Anti-static ESD handling storage bag
3. Quick-start hardware installation guide covering WIC slot insertion, removal, PSTN line cabling, analog phone pass-through wiring and basic IOS dialer backup configuration examples
4. Global regulatory compliance, safety, and electromagnetic interference (EMI) certification documentation packet

Core Integrated Functional Capabilities

• Embedded integrated V.90 analog PSTN dial-up modem, eliminating external third-party desktop modems and separate power adapters for router dial backup connectivity
• Dual RJ-11 port layout: Primary PSTN line port for connection to service provider copper loop, secondary pass-through port to share the same PSTN line with a standard analog voice telephone set
• Comprehensive industry-standard modem protocol stack support:
  • Data rate standards: 300 bps up to 33.6 kbps (V.34bis); V.90 56Kbps downstream (digital terminating modem only)
  • Error correction: V.42 LAPM, MNP 2 / MNP 3 / MNP 4
  • Data compression: V.42bis, MNP 5
  • Robust line adaptation: MNP 10, MNP 10EC for unstable copper line and cellular dial environments
  • Fax support: ITU-T Group 3 fax at maximum 14.4 kbps
• Dial backup core functionality: IOS dialer watch, backup interface and floating static routing mechanisms to automatically activate PSTN dial connectivity when primary Ethernet, DSL or serial leased-line WAN links experience failure
• Remote out-of-band router management: Establish dial-in IP sessions via Telnet, SSH or reverse SSH to remotely configure, troubleshoot or reboot branch routers during complete LAN/WAN primary link outages
• Low-density dial-in remote access server (RAS) capability: Support limited number of dial-in user sessions for remote employee access to branch internal IP subnets via PPP / PAP / CHAP authentication
• Full IOS feature integration: Static/dynamic routing (RIP, EIGRP, OSPF), IOS zone-based firewall, NAT/PAT, IPSec VPN tunneling, AAA identity authentication (PAP/CHAP/MS-CHAP, RADIUS/TACACS+), dialer ACL traffic filtering, QoS traffic classification and marking
• Converged voice-data line sharing: Simultaneous support for regular analog voice phone calls (when modem is idle) and automatic dial backup data connectivity upon primary WAN failure, reducing physical PSTN line subscription costs for remote unmanned branch sites

2. Hardware & Performance Specifications

Core Modem Transmission Performance

• Supported Modem Standards: Bell 103, Bell 212A, ITU-T V.21, V.22, V.22bis, V.29, V.32, V.32bis, V.34, V.34bis, V.42, V.42bis, MNP 2–5, MNP10, MNP10EC, V.90 (V.92 unsupported)
• Maximum Throughput Scenarios:
  1. Dial into digital access server (AS5xxx): 56 kbps downstream, 33.6 kbps upstream
  2. Dial to another analog modem: Capped at 33.6 kbps bidirectional
• Fax Support: ITU-T Group 3 Fax, max 14.4 kbps transmission rate
• Port Connector Layout: Dual RJ-11 6P2C front-panel jacks
  • Port 0: PSTN trunk line input (connected to carrier wall jack)
  • Port 1: Analog telephone pass-through output (for standard landline phone)

Front Panel LED Indicator Definitions

1. RD (Receive Data): Blinks green when the modem receives data from the PSTN line
2. TR (Transmit Ready): Solid green when the modem is powered and initialized successfully; blinks green during active dial-up data transmission

Electrical & Thermal Specifications

Power Consumption

• Typical operating power draw under idle standby mode: ~7 Watts
• Maximum full-load power consumption under continuous 33.6 kbps dial data transmission: ~11 Watts
• Power Delivery: Powered exclusively through the router chassis WIC slot backplane; no external power supply connectors mounted on the WIC card

Thermal & Environmental Operating Parameters

• Certified Continuous Operating Temperature Range: 0°C to 40°C (32°F to 104°F) standard data center equipment room environment
• Extended Validated Short-Term Operating Temperature: 0°C to 55°C (32°F to 131°F)
• Storage & Transport Temperature Range: -40°C to 70°C (-40°F to 158°F)
• Operating Relative Humidity: 10% to 90% RH, non-condensing
• Storage Relative Humidity: 5% to 95% RH, non-condensing
• Operating Altitude: Certified operational range -150 m to 2,000 m (-500 ft to 6,500 ft); extended validated range up to 3,000 m (10,000 ft)
• Cooling Design: Fanless passive heat dissipation architecture without onboard cooling fans; cooling airflow supplied by the host router’s internal chassis fan assembly
• Airflow Direction: Horizontal cross airflow passing through the router chassis expansion slot bay

Physical Form Factor & Weight

• Form Factor: Standard low-profile single-wide WIC modular expansion card form factor compatible with all WIC slots of supported legacy ISR routers
• Bare WIC Net Weight (without RJ-11 telephone line cords and accessory hardware): Approximately 68 grams (2.4 oz)

3. Regulatory & Compliance Certifications

1. Safety Standards: UL 60950-1, CSA C22.2 No. 60950-1, EN 60950-1, IEC 60950-1, GB 4943 Chinese national safety standard
2. EMC & EMI Standards: FCC CFR Title 47 Part 15 Class A, VCCI Class A, EN55022 Class A, CISPR 22 Class A, ICES003 Class A
3. PSTN Telecommunications Compliance: FCC Part 68, ETSI TBR21, global country-specific telephony loop interface certification standards
4. Environmental Directive: EU RoHS hazardous substance restriction compliance

4. Core Deployment Advantages

1. All-In-One Integrated Modem Design Eliminates External Hardware: The embedded analog modem removes the need for separate standalone external modems, power adapters, extra cabling and dedicated power outlets at remote branch sites, drastically reducing deployment hardware footprint, wiring complexity and total equipment capital expenditure.
2. Shared Single PSTN Line for Voice and Backup Data Connectivity: The dual RJ-11 pass-through port allows enterprises to deploy only one PSTN telephone line per branch location, supporting daily analog voice phone calls for on-site staff and automatic dial-up data backup upon primary WAN link failure, cutting monthly recurring PSTN line subscription costs.
3. Automated Dial Backup for Mission-Critical Branch Network Uptime: Natively integrated with Cisco IOS dialer backup features, the WIC-1AM triggers fully automatic PSTN dial connectivity without manual administrator intervention when primary Ethernet, DSL or serial leased-line links fail, ensuring uninterrupted remote access to critical branch internal business systems during outages.
4. Out-of-Band Remote Router Troubleshooting and Administration: The analog dial-up interface provides independent out-of-band management access isolated from the primary data network. Network engineers can dial into the router remotely via SSH/Telnet to diagnose faults, adjust configurations or reboot unresponsive branch devices even when all primary LAN and WAN connectivity is completely lost.
5. Full Compatibility with All Base IOS Feature Sets: The WIC-1AM operates without additional paid software licenses, fully supported by the entry-level IP Base IOS feature set, eliminating extra licensing overhead for small and medium branch deployments that only require basic backup and remote management functionality.
6. Fanless Passive Cooling High-Reliability Low-Maintenance Architecture: The card utilizes a fanless passive heat dissipation design with zero moving mechanical fan components, eliminating mechanical failure risks and enabling stable 24/7 continuous unattended operation in remote unmanned equipment closets with minimal long-term maintenance requirements. Low power consumption reduces overall router energy draw and site cooling operational costs.

Supplementary Product Specification Notes

UNSPSC Classification Code

K9 Security Compliance Note

Factory Hardware Warranty Terms