Cisco NIM-1GE-CU-SFP Full Official Technical Specification Document

1. Product Overview

Official Full Designation

Core Definition

SKU Naming Breakdown

1. NIM: Network Interface Module, standard single-wide expansion form factor exclusive to Cisco ISR 4000 Series routers
2. 1GE: 1-port Gigabit Ethernet base bandwidth capacity
3. CU: Combo Universal dual-media interface design (RJ45 copper + SFP fiber slot)
4. SFP: Supports Small Form-Factor Pluggable hot-swappable Gigabit transceivers
5. =: Standard spare part suffix for new standalone replacement kits (NIM-1GE-CU-SFP=)
6. -RF: Cisco Refresh certified refurbished spare SKU variant (NIM-1GE-CU-SFP-RF)

Product Lifecycle Notice

• Official Global Release Year: 2015
• End-of-Sale (EoS) Status: Discontinued; Cisco permanently ceased production of brand-new NIM-1GE-CU-SFP hardware units on June 9, 2026
• Direct Upgrade Replacement Models: NIM-2GE-CU-SFP dual-port combo Gigabit NIM for multi-WAN branch deployments, next-generation C-NIM series Ethernet modules for Catalyst 8000 edge routers
• Minimum Supported IOS XE Software Version: Cisco IOS XE Release 3.15S or later; Catalyst 8000 platforms require dedicated C-NIM hardware and are not compatible with this NIM modelCisco
• Software Maintenance Status: Only critical security vulnerability patches are released for customers holding active Cisco DNA Services contracts; no new Ethernet interface 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: ISR4321, ISR4331, ISR4351
2. Cisco ISR 4400 Series: ISR4431, ISR4451, ISR4451-X, ISR4461

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 (3.15S or newer); older IOS XE versions require a full chassis power cycle for module installation or replacement.
2. Mutually exclusive media ports: The RJ45 copper port and SFP fiber slot cannot operate simultaneously; administrators must manually select the active media interface via IOS XE CLI configuration.
3. No PoE capability: This module does not support IEEE 802.3af/at Power over Ethernet; it cannot supply power to IP phones, wireless APs or other PoE end devices.
4. Layer 3 routed-only limitation: The two onboard interfaces cannot perform internal Layer 2 switching between each other; all traffic routed through this NIM must be processed by the router’s main forwarding plane.
5. Minimum platform memory requirements: Host ISR 4000 router must have a minimum of 16MB flash memory to fully support this NIM module’s feature setCisco.

Standard Factory Complete Bundle Contents

1. NIM-1GE-CU-SFP single-wide combo Gigabit Ethernet NIM expansion card with front-panel RJ45 copper port, SFP transceiver slot and dedicated 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, CAT5e/6 copper cabling specifications, SFP transceiver compatibility rules and IOS XE active media port selection configuration command examples
4. Global regulatory compliance, safety, and electromagnetic interference (EMI) certification documentation packet

Core Integrated Functional Capabilities

1. Dual-Media Combo Gigabit Ethernet Interfaces: Single module provides two distinct media options for Gigabit WAN connectivity: auto-sensing 10/100/1000BASE-T RJ45 copper port, plus a hot-pluggable SFP slot compatible with all Cisco-certified 1000BASE-X SFP transceivers (SX multimode fiber, LX/LH single-mode fiber, GLC-T copper SFP). Administrators select the active media interface via IOS XE software to match site cabling infrastructure.
2. Full IEEE Gigabit Ethernet Standard Compliance: Native hardware support for IEEE 802.3ab (1000BASE-T copper), IEEE 802.3z (1000BASE-X fiber), IEEE 802.3x full-duplex flow control, IEEE 802.1Q VLAN tagging and trunking for multi-VLAN WAN transport.
3. Layer 3 WAN Routing Feature Parity: Full feature parity with the ISR 4000 router’s built-in embedded Gigabit WAN ports, supporting all core enterprise routing and edge security workloads: static/dynamic IP routing (RIP, EIGRP, OSPF, BGP), policy-based routing (PBR), NAT/PAT address translation, zone-based IOS firewall, IPSec site-to-site VPN tunneling, GRE/VXLAN overlay encapsulation for SD-WAN deployments, differentiated services QoS traffic prioritization and LLQ low-latency queuing for voice and video media streams.
4. OIR Hot-Swap Maintenance Support: Compliant with Cisco Online Insertion and Removal specifications, enabling field technicians to replace or upgrade the NIM module without powering down the entire ISR 4000 router chassis, minimizing enterprise WAN service outage windows during hardware maintenance operations.
5. Hardware Traffic Offload Capabilities: Integrated Ethernet controller supports IP header checksum offload, TCP/UDP segmentation offload and VLAN tag insertion/removal to reduce forwarding CPU utilization on the host router, maintaining consistent routing throughput under high WAN traffic load.
6. Comprehensive Interface Diagnostics & Monitoring: Built-in IOS XE diagnostic toolset for Ethernet link troubleshooting: real-time link status reporting, bidirectional traffic counter statistics, error frame logging (CRC, alignment, collision errors), cable length detection and link quality monitoring for RJ45 copper ports, plus SFP transceiver digital optical monitoring (DOM) support for fiber links to track transmit/receive optical power, temperature and voltage metrics.
7. SNMP MIB Remote Monitoring Support: Implements standard Cisco Ethernet interface SNMP MIBs for remote network monitoring of NIM module hardware operational status, physical link up/down state, aggregate ingress/egress WAN throughput, packet error counters, SFP DOM optical telemetry and hardware fault alarm reporting, with SNMP trap generation triggered for all critical link failure conditions.

2. Hardware & Performance Specifications

Core Gigabit Ethernet Interface Technical Specifications

RJ45 Copper Port (10/100/1000BASE-T)

• Auto-negotiation: Automatic speed and duplex detection (10M/100M/1000M, half/full duplex)
• Cabling requirement: Category 5e, Category 6 or Category 6a UTP/STP copper twisted-pair cable
• Maximum cable distance: 100 meters (328 feet)
• Connector type: Standard 8P8C RJ45 female port
• Impedance matching: Advanced signal integrity circuitry compensates for return loss up to 20dB for stable long-cable copper links

SFP Fiber/Copper Slot (1000BASE-X)

• Transceiver compatibility: All Cisco-qualified Gigabit SFP transceivers (GLC-SX-MMD, GLC-LH-SMD, GLC-ZX-SMD, GLC-T copper SFP)
• SFP connector interface: LC duplex fiber connector for optical transceivers
• Hot-plug capability: SFP transceivers can be inserted/removed without powering off the NIM module or host router
• Digital Optical Monitoring (DOM): Native support for real-time SFP optical power, temperature and voltage telemetry via IOS XE CLI

Universal Layer 3 Routing Performance Metrics

• Maximum line rate throughput: Full 1Gbps bidirectional non-oversubscribed Gigabit Ethernet forwarding
• Offload processing: IPv4/IPv6 header checksum offload, TCP segmentation offload, IEEE 802.1Q VLAN tag processing
• Supported WAN encapsulations: Raw IP, 802.1Q VLAN trunking, GRE, VXLAN, IPSec tunnel mode
• Supported QoS mechanisms: Class-based weighted fair queuing (CBWFQ), low-latency queuing (LLQ), weighted random early detection (WRED), DSCP/802.1p marking and re-marking

Front Panel LED Indicator Definitions

1. EN LED (Global Module Status)
   • Off: No power supplied to the NIM module, improperly seated module or critical hardware failure
   • Solid Green: NIM module powered, detected and fully operational, all Ethernet controller hardware online
   • Blinking Green: Module undergoing IOS XE initialization during router boot sequence
   • Solid Amber: NIM hardware fault detected, or active media port link failure alarm triggered
2. RJ45 LINK/ACT LED
   • Off: No valid copper link detected, no connected device or cable fault
   • Solid Green: Stable full-duplex Gigabit copper link established with remote switch/end device
   • Blinking Green: Active bidirectional data traffic transmitting/receiving over the copper port link
3. SFP LINK/ACT LED
   • Off: No SFP transceiver inserted, no valid fiber link or optical signal loss detected
   • Solid Green: Stable Gigabit fiber link established between local SFP transceiver and remote optical network equipment
   • Blinking Green: Active bidirectional data traffic transmitting/receiving over the fiber SFP link

Electrical & Thermal Specifications

Power Consumption

• Typical operating power draw under medium Gigabit WAN traffic load (single active media port): ~4.2 Watts typical power dissipation
• Maximum full-load power consumption at 1Gbps line-rate bidirectional traffic with active SFP DOM monitoring enabled: ≤5.0 Watts maximum full-load thermal dissipation
• Power Delivery: Powered exclusively through the ISR 4000 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 40°C (32°F to 104°F) standard enterprise branch datacenter equipment room environment
• Extended Short-Term Operating Temperature Range: -5°C to 70°C (23°F to 158°F) for commercial wide-temperature deployments
• Non-operating Storage Temperature Range: -40°C to 85°C (-40°F to 185°F)
• 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 router’s internal chassis fan assembly
• Airflow Direction: Horizontal chassis airflow passing over the NIM module PCB for continuous thermal dissipation under full Gigabit line-rate traffic 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 Series multiservice integrated services routers
• Bare NIM Module Net Weight (without SFP transceivers, copper twisted-pair cables and accessory packaging): Approximately 240 grams (0.24 kg)
• Physical Dimensions (H × W × D): 32 × 89 × 184 mm (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. Ethernet & Optical Transceiver Compliance: IEEE 802.3ab, IEEE 802.3z, SFP MSA Multi-Source Agreement specification for hot-pluggable Gigabit transceivers
4. Environmental Directive: EU RoHS hazardous substance restriction compliance, WEEE electronic waste recycling directive compliant

4. Core Deployment Advantages

1. Dual-Media Combo Port Design Delivers Maximum Deployment Flexibility: The NIM-1GE-CU-SFP integrates both copper RJ45 and SFP fiber interfaces on a single NIM slot, eliminating the need to pre-purchase separate copper-only or fiber-only Gigabit Ethernet modules for branch deployments with unknown or mixed cabling infrastructure. Network administrators can switch between CAT5e copper and fiber optic WAN links post-installation simply by swapping the active media port in IOS XE configuration, drastically reducing hardware SKU inventory overhead and spare part stocking costs for global multi-site enterprise branch networks.
2. Layer 3 WAN Feature Parity Matches Native Router Embedded Ports: This combo Gigabit NIM module provides complete functional parity with the ISR 4000 router’s built-in Gigabit WAN interfaces, supporting all critical enterprise edge routing, security, VPN and SD-WAN workloads without feature limitations. Enterprises can deploy additional high-speed routed WAN links for redundant internet access, metro Ethernet private line interconnection, SD-WAN overlay transport and inter-VLAN core routing, fully extending the router’s native edge networking capabilities without performance compromises.
3. OIR Hot-Swap Support Minimizes Enterprise WAN Maintenance Downtime: Native Online Insertion and Removal hot-swap functionality allows field technicians to replace or upgrade the NIM combo Gigabit module without powering down the entire ISR 4000 router chassis. This eliminates extended branch internet and private WAN service outages required for full chassis power cycles during hardware failure replacement or capacity expansion maintenance operations, drastically improving business-critical enterprise internet, SD-WAN and inter-site private line network availability for distributed branch deployments.
4. Integrated Hardware Traffic Offload Reduces Router CPU Utilization: Built-in Ethernet controller hardware accelerates IPv4/IPv6 checksum validation, TCP segmentation and VLAN tag processing, offloading resource-intensive packet manipulation tasks from the host router’s main route processor CPU. This preserves valuable CPU processing capacity for critical core enterprise network workloads including dynamic IP routing, stateful zone-based firewall inspection, NAT/PAT address translation, IPSec VPN encryption and SD-WAN overlay orchestration, preventing high-volume Gigabit WAN traffic from starving other essential data network services of CPU resources.
5. Passive Fanless Thermal Design Delivers High Reliability and Low Long-Term Maintenance Costs: The NIM-1GE-CU-SFP 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, retail store IT rooms 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.
6. Unified IOS XE Feature Suite Compatibility for All Converged Branch WAN Workloads: The NIM-1GE-CU-SFP combo Gigabit Ethernet 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, SD-WAN overlay encapsulation, differentiated services QoS traffic prioritization, ACL security filtering, AAA user authentication and encrypted remote network management. All Gigabit WAN interface configuration, media port selection, VLAN trunking, QoS policy and security rule management is centralized within a single consistent IOS XE command-line interface, eliminating disjointed separate management systems for branch data routing and WAN transport infrastructure.

Supplementary Product Specification Notes

UNSPSC Classification Code

K9 Security Compliance Note

Factory Hardware Warranty Terms