Cisco NIM-1MFT-T1/E1 Full Official Technical Specification Document

1. Product Overview

Official Full Designation

Core Definition

SKU Naming Breakdown

1. NIM: Network Interface Module, standard expansion form factor exclusive to Cisco ISR 4000 and Catalyst 8200/8300 edge routers
2. 1: One independent physical RJ48 balanced trunk port integrated on the single NIM module
3. MFT: Multi-Flex Trunk, flexible arbitrary DS0 timeslot partitioning for mixed voice, data and TDM cross-connect workloads
4. T1/E1: Universal dual-standard trunk support; single port software-selectable between North American T1 and global E1 operation without hardware modification
5. =: Standard spare part suffix for standalone replacement kits (NIM-1MFT-T1/E1=)
6. -RF: Certified refurbished spare SKU variant (NIM-1MFT-T1/E1-RF)

Product Lifecycle Notice

• Official Global Release Year: 2013
• End-of-Sale (EoS) Status: Discontinued; Cisco permanently ceased production of brand-new NIM-1MFT-T1/E1 hardware units
• Direct Upgrade Replacement Models: SM-X-2MFT-T1/E1 SM-X service module for ISR 4000 high-density deployments, NIM-2MFT-T1/E1 dual-port MFT NIM for multi-trunk branch sites
• Minimum Supported IOS XE Software Version: Cisco IOS XE Release 3.9S; full DSP conferencing/transcoding features require IOS XE 3.11S or later; Catalyst 8200/8300 edge routers require IOS XE 17.3+Cisco
• Software Maintenance Status: Only critical security vulnerability patches are released for customers holding active Cisco DNA Services contracts; no new media processing or trunk feature enhancements will be developed
• Legacy Status: End-of-sale legacy hardware; certified refurbished spare modules, validated IOS XE firmware images and 24×7 Cisco TAC engineering technical support remain available through authorized Cisco distribution partners

Supported Router Platform Compatibility

1. Cisco ISR 4300 Series: 4321, 4331, 4351
2. Cisco ISR 4400 Series: 4431, 4451, 4461
3. Cisco Catalyst 8200 Series Edge Routers: C8200-1N-4T
4. Cisco Catalyst 8300 Series Edge Routers: C8300-1N1S-6T

Deployment Restrictions

1. OIR operational requirement: Online Insertion and Removal hot-swap functionality operates fully only when the router runs the minimum required IOS XE release (3.9S or newer); older IOS XE versions require a full chassis power cycle for module installation or replacement.
2. Voice DSP hardware dependency: All packet voice trunking, PRI/CAS signaling, echo cancellation and codec processing requires motherboard PVDM4 DSP modules; PVDM2/PVDM3 legacy DSPs are not supported on ISR 4000 platformsCisco.
3. Licensing requirements: Data-only fractional T1/E1 deployments require the IP Base technology package (included by default); voice trunking deployments require the Unified Communications (UC) RTU license or DNA Advantage subscription for Catalyst edge routersCisco.
4. Backplane bandwidth ceiling: Each NIM slot provides dedicated backplane bandwidth for single-port T1/E1 traffic; concurrent multi-NIM TDM and IP traffic will share the router’s internal fabric bus.
5. Balanced trunk cable limitation: RJ48 ports require standard 100Ω (T1) / 120Ω (E1) balanced twisted-pair trunk cabling; standard unbalanced RJ45 Ethernet patch cables fail impedance matching and trigger trunk signal errors.

Standard Factory Complete Bundle Contents

1. NIM-1MFT-T1/E1 single-port universal T1/E1 Multi-Flex Trunk NIM expansion card with front-panel RJ48 balanced trunk port and dedicated CARRIER/ALARM dual status LED indicators
2. Anti-static ESD handling storage bag and protective foam packaging
3. Quick-start hardware installation guide covering ESD static protection protocols, NIM slot OIR insertion/removal procedures, balanced RJ48 trunk cabling specifications, IOS XE T1/E1 port mode switching configuration, DS0 timeslot partitioning, TDM drop-and-insert cross-connect setup, fractional data channel-group and PRI voice trunk configuration command examples
4. Global regulatory compliance, safety, and electromagnetic interference (EMI) certification documentation packet

Core Integrated Functional Capabilities

1. Single Universal Software-Selectable T1/E1 Balanced Trunk Port: One RJ48 trunk port fully configurable via IOS XE for ANSI T1 (1.544 Mbps, 24 DS0 timeslots) or ITU-T E1 (2.048 Mbps, 32 DS0 timeslots) operation, eliminating separate hardware SKUs for North American and European global branch deployments.
2. Onboard Integrated CSU/DSU Line Termination Hardware: Built-in CSU/DSU circuitry removes the requirement for external standalone channel service unit devices, simplifying branch rack cabling and enabling centralized remote trunk diagnostics, loopback testing and bit error rate (BERT) analysis without on-site technician dispatches.
3. Flexible Multi-Flex DS0 Timeslot Partitioning: Arbitrary segmentation of all trunk DS0 timeslots into three distinct resource group types per port:
   • Up to 2 independent fractional serial data channel-groups for HDLC/PPP/Frame Relay leased-line WAN connectivity
   • PRI/CAS ds0-groups for ISDN packet voice PBX/PSTN trunk signaling (24 DS0 T1 / 31 DS0 E1 maximum voice timeslots)
   • TDM tdm-group cross-connect resources for hardware drop-and-insert DS0 timeslot bridging between two separate trunk ports on multi-port MFT NIM modules
4. Native Circuit Emulation Service Support for TDM-over-IP Modernization: Full compliance with SAToP (Structure-Agnostic TDM over Packet) and CESoPSN (Circuit Emulation Service over Packet Switched Network) pseudowire standards, paired with adaptive clock recovery (ACR) to preserve precise TDM synchronization across IP/MPLS and SD-WAN packet transport networks for legacy PBX, SCADA and industrial TDM equipment backhaul.
5. Comprehensive T1/E1 Trunk Diagnostic Toolset: Hardware-supported local/remote loopback testing, configurable BERT bit error rate test pattern generation (PRBS-15/20/23, QRSS), real-time trunk alarm monitoring (Loss of Signal, Out of Frame, AIS, RAI), programmable line build-out (LBO) signal attenuation for long-distance copper trunk runs.
6. Full Unified Communications Voice Gateway Compatibility: Natively integrated with the complete Cisco IOS XE unified communications feature suite: Survivable Remote Site Telephony (SRST), Cisco Unified Communications Manager Express (CME), CUCM branch voice gateway, SIP/H.323/MGCP call control protocols, PRI/CAS PSTN trunk signaling, IVR/TCL voice application support and dial plan configuration.
7. Full IOS XE Security, Routing and QoS Feature Integration: Seamless compatibility with core enterprise edge router functionality: static/dynamic IP routing (RIP, EIGRP, OSPF), zone-based IOS firewall, NAT/PAT address translation, IPSec site-to-site VPN tunneling, AAA identity authentication, differentiated services QoS traffic prioritization and LLQ low-latency queuing for latency-sensitive voice and TDM circuit emulation streams.
8. SNMP MIB Remote Monitoring Support: Implements standard Cisco T1/E1 trunk interface SNMP MIBs for remote network monitoring of NIM module hardware operational status, trunk carrier/alarm fault status, aggregate ingress/egress TDM/IP traffic throughput, DS0 timeslot utilization counters, trunk bit error statistics and hardware fault alarm reporting.

2. Hardware & Performance Specifications

Core T1/E1 Trunk Transmission Performance

T1 Mode Specifications

• Standard: ANSI T1.403
• Line rate: 1.544 Mbps ±50 bps
• Total DS0 timeslots: 24 × 64 kbps
• Supported line coding: AMI, B8ZS
• Supported framing formats: D4 Super Frame (SF), Extended Super Frame (ESF)
• Configurable Line Build-Out (LBO): 0 dB, -7.5 dB, -15 dB
• Input signal receive range: +1 dB0 down to -24 dB0

E1 Mode Specifications

• Standard: ITU-T G.703 / G.704
• Line rate: 2.048 Mbps ±100 bps
• Total DS0 timeslots: 32 × 64 kbps (TS0 reserved for framing synchronization)
• Supported line coding: HDB3
• Supported framing formats: Double CRC4, Single CRC4, Unframed
• Balanced trunk impedance: Software configurable 100Ω (T1) / 120Ω (E1) (no manual jumper adjustments required)

Universal Module Resource Limits

• Maximum fractional data channel-groups per port: 2
• Maximum PRI/CAS voice ds0-groups per port: 1
• Maximum TDM drop-and-insert tdm-groups per port: 1
• Supported WAN serial encapsulations: HDLC, PPP, Frame Relay
• Supported circuit emulation pseudowire standards: SAToP, CESoPSN
• Configurable voice packetization interval: 10ms to 60ms adjustable media packet size

Front Panel LED Indicator Definitions (Dual LED: CARRIER / ALARM)

1. CARRIER LED Solid Green: Valid synchronized T1/E1 physical layer trunk link established with remote carrier/PBX equipment; steady signal detection active
2. CARRIER LED Off: No balanced trunk signal detected, broken trunk cable or remote equipment power-down fault condition
3. ALARM LED Solid Amber: Active critical trunk layer fault alarm detected (Out of Frame, Loss of Signal, AIS blue alarm, RAI remote alarm indication)
4. ALARM LED Off: No active trunk fault alarms; trunk framing and signaling operating normally

Electrical & Thermal Specifications

Power Consumption

• Typical operating power draw under mixed fractional data + medium voice trunk load: ~6.8 Watts typical power dissipation
• Maximum full-load power consumption with all DS0 timeslots active for concurrent data, voice and circuit emulation traffic: ≤8 Watts maximum full-load thermal dissipation
• Power Delivery: Powered exclusively through the ISR 4000 / Catalyst 8000 router chassis NIM slot internal backplane bus; no external power supply connectors mounted on the NIM module hardware

Thermal & Environmental Operating Parameters

• Certified Continuous Operating Temperature Range: 0°C to 50°C (32°F to 122°F) standard enterprise branch datacenter equipment room environment
• Extended Validated Short-Term Operating Temperature: -20°C to 65°C (-4°F to 148°F) non-operating storage temperature
• Operating Relative Humidity: 10% to 85% RH, non-condensing operating environment
• Storage Relative Humidity: 5% to 95% RH, non-condensing non-operating storage
• 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: Passive thermal dissipation architecture without onboard cooling fans; cooling airflow supplied by the host ISR 4000 / Catalyst 8000 router’s internal chassis fan assembly
• Airflow Direction: Horizontal chassis airflow passing over the NIM module PCB for continuous thermal dissipation under full trunk load

Physical Form Factor & Weight

• Form Factor: Standard single-wide NIM network interface module expansion card form factor, designed exclusively for NIM dedicated expansion slots of Cisco ISR 4300/4400 and Catalyst 8200/8300 Series multiservice integrated services routers
• Bare NIM Module Net Weight (without balanced trunk twisted-pair cables and accessory packaging): Approximately 544 grams (1.2 lbs)
• Physical Dimensions (H × W × D): 3.18 × 8.89 × 18.39 cm (1.25 × 3.50 × 7.24 inches)

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 ITE, EN55022 Class A, CISPR 22 Class A, ICES-003 Class A, CISPR 24, EN 61000 series electromagnetic immunity standards
3. Telecommunications & Trunk Line Compliance:
   • T1: ANSI T1.403, FCC Part 68, CS-03, Bellcore TR-NWT-000624
   • E1: ITU-T G.703, G.704, ETSI TBR2, TBR4, BS6301
4. Circuit Emulation & Voice Media Compliance: ITU-T G.8261 adaptive clock recovery standard, SAToP/CESoPSN IETF RFC pseudowire specifications, T.38 fax relay standard
5. Environmental Directive: EU RoHS hazardous substance restriction compliance

4. Core Deployment Advantages

1. Single Universal T1/E1 Port Design Reduces Hardware SKU Inventory Costs: The NIM-1MFT-T1/E1 combines software-switchable T1 and E1 trunk functionality on a single hardware module, eliminating the need to stock separate T1-only and E1-only trunk cards for global multi-region enterprise branch deployments. This design drastically reduces spare part inventory overhead and simplifies logistics for network operators supporting both North American T1 PSTN trunks and European/Asia-Pacific E1 carrier services.
2. Integrated Onboard CSU/DSU Eliminates External Auxiliary Hardware: Built-in channel service unit circuitry removes the requirement for standalone external CSU/DSU devices deployed between the router and carrier trunk demarcation point. This reduces total branch rack hardware footprint, minimizes copper trunk cable interconnection points, lowers capital expenditure on auxiliary telephony hardware, and enables centralized remote trunk diagnostics and loopback testing directly from the IOS XE router command line without on-site technician dispatches.
3. Flexible Multi-Flex DS0 Timeslot Partitioning Supports Mixed Converged Voice & Data Workloads: The MFT architecture allows network administrators to arbitrarily split the full complement of trunk DS0 timeslots between fractional serial WAN data circuits, PRI/CAS PBX voice trunking, and TDM drop-and-insert cross-connect bridging on the same physical trunk port. This enables simultaneous delivery of enterprise leased-line data services and packet voice PSTN trunk interconnection over a single carrier copper trunk, maximizing trunk bandwidth utilization and reducing monthly carrier line subscription costs for branch sites.
4. SAToP/CESoPSN Circuit Emulation Enables Legacy TDM Network Modernization over IP/MPLS SD-WAN: Native support for industry-standard TDM-over-packet pseudowire protocols allows enterprises to migrate legacy T1/E1 PBX, industrial SCADA and proprietary TDM equipment backhaul traffic onto modern IP/MPLS and SD-WAN overlay transport networks, eliminating costly dedicated TDM carrier backbone circuits. Integrated adaptive clock recovery (ACR) hardware maintains precise TDM synchronization across latency-variable packet-switched WAN links, preventing voice clipping, fax signal corruption and industrial SCADA communication timing faults.
5. OIR Hot-Swap Support Minimizes Enterprise Branch Telephony & Data WAN Maintenance Downtime: Native Online Insertion and Removal (OIR) hot-swap functionality allows field technicians to replace or upgrade the NIM-1MFT-T1/E1 trunk module without powering down the entire ISR 4000 / Catalyst 8000 router chassis. This eliminates extended branch business service outages required for full chassis power cycles during trunk module spare part replacement or capacity upgrade maintenance operations, drastically improving availability for business-critical enterprise PBX telephony, SD-WAN data and industrial SCADA backhaul services.
6. Unified IOS XE Feature Suite Compatibility for All Converged Branch Workloads: The NIM-1MFT-T1/E1 trunk module natively integrates with the complete portfolio of core Cisco IOS XE enterprise edge router features: IP routing, stateful zone-based firewall, NAT/PAT address translation, IPSec site-to-site VPN tunneling, differentiated services QoS traffic prioritization, ACL security filtering, AAA user authentication, unified communications SRST/CME PBX telephony and encrypted remote network management. All T1/E1 trunk interface configuration, timeslot partitioning, trunk signaling and telephony policy management is centralized within a single consistent IOS XE command-line interface, eliminating disjointed separate management systems for branch data routing and PBX telephony infrastructure.
7. Passive Fanless Thermal Design Delivers High Reliability and Low Long-Term Maintenance Costs: The NIM-1MFT-T1/E1 module utilizes a fully passive thermal dissipation architecture without any onboard rotating cooling fans. This eliminates mechanical hardware failure risks associated with fan motor wear, dust accumulation and fan power supply faults, enabling stable 24/7 continuous unattended operation in remote unmanned enterprise branch datacenter equipment closets, industrial field sites and off-grid branch office locations with minimal long-term on-site maintenance requirements. Low idle and full-load power consumption reduces overall router chassis energy draw and enterprise branch site cooling operational energy costs over multi-year hardware service lifecycles.

Supplementary Product Specification Notes

UNSPSC Classification Code

K9 Security Compliance Note

Factory Hardware Warranty Terms