Cisco WIC-2AM 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. 2: Two independent embedded analog modem ports integrated on the single card
3. AM: Analog Modem, embedded PSTN dial-up modem hardware
4. =: Optional suffix for standalone spare-only WIC spare kits (WIC-2AM=)

Product Lifecycle Notice

• Official Global Release Year: 2003
• End-of-Sale (EoS) Status: Discontinued; Cisco permanently halted production of brand-new WIC-2AM hardware units
• Direct Upgrade Replacement Model: WIC-2AM-V2 second-generation dual analog modem WIC (supports flash-upgradable modem firmware and V.92 protocol)
• Minimum Supported IOS Software Version: Cisco IOS Release 12.2(4)YB, 12.2(8)T and later mainline IOS releasesCisco
• 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 1700 Series Modular Routers
2. Cisco 2600 Series (2610, 2611, 2620, 2621, 2650, 2651, 2600XM, 2691)
3. Cisco 3600 Series Multiservice Routers (3620, 3640, 3660, 3631)
4. Cisco 3700 Series (3725, 3745)

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 modems’ 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 ISR G2 platforms (1800/2800/3800 series); these platforms require the upgraded WIC-2AM-V2 card.
5. No telephone pass-through: Each RJ-11 port is dedicated to PSTN trunk lines only; there are no secondary pass-through jacks for analog landline phones, unlike the WIC-1AM single-port card.

Standard Factory Complete Bundle Contents

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

Core Integrated Functional Capabilities

• Dual fully independent embedded V.90 analog PSTN dial-up modems, eliminating external third-party desktop modems and separate power adapters for multi-line dial backup and remote access deployments
• Dual isolated RJ-11 port layout: Two separate PSTN trunk line ports, each connected to an independent service provider copper loop for fully separated dial sessions
• Comprehensive industry-standard modem protocol stack support for each integrated modem:
  • 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 transmission rateCisco
• Dual-line redundant dial backup core functionality: IOS dialer watch, backup interface and floating static routing mechanisms to activate two independent PSTN dial paths automatically if primary Ethernet, DSL or serial leased-line WAN links experience failure, providing redundant out-of-band connectivity
• Multi-line out-of-band router management: Establish separate dial-in IP sessions via Telnet, SSH or reverse SSH on two independent PSTN lines to remotely configure, troubleshoot or reboot branch routers during complete LAN/WAN primary link outages, with redundant management paths to avoid single line failure of remote access
• Low-density multi-user dial-in remote access server (RAS) capability: Support two simultaneous independent 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
• Isolated multi-service workload separation: The two independent modem ports support concurrent separated dial traffic such as one line for automated WAN backup and the second line for permanent remote engineer out-of-band management, eliminating resource contention between different network services

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 (per independent modem port):
  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 independent RJ-11 6P2C front-panel jacks, each dedicated to PSTN trunk line input (no analog telephone pass-through ports)

Front Panel LED Indicator Definitions (per port pair)

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 dual-port idle standby mode: ~10 Watts
• Maximum full-load power consumption under continuous dual-port 33.6 kbps dial data transmission: ~16 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 85 grams

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. Dual Independent Modem Design Maximizes Slot Utilization: Two fully separated analog modems integrated on a single WIC expansion slot, eliminating the need to deploy two separate WIC-1AM single-port cards for multi-line dial deployments. This design conserves limited router WIC slot resources and reduces overall hardware capital expenditure for multi-backup and multi-access branch networks.
2. Redundant Dual PSTN Dial Paths for Mission-Critical Branch Uptime: Each integrated modem connects to an independent PSTN telephone line, enabling fully redundant out-of-band backup connectivity. If one PSTN circuit fails or the primary WAN link drops, the router can automatically establish dial connectivity over the second separate telephone line, eliminating single-point failure of backup access.
3. Isolated Multi-Service Traffic Segmentation: The two independent modem ports support complete workload separation without resource contention. Network administrators can dedicate one PSTN line to automated failover dial backup for production business traffic, while reserving the second independent line for permanent remote engineer out-of-band troubleshooting access, separating operational backup and administrative management traffic.
4. All-In-One Integrated Modem Design Eliminates External Hardware: The dual embedded analog modems remove the need for multiple 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.
5. Full Compatibility with All Base IOS Feature Sets: The WIC-2AM 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 dual-line 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