Cisco PVDM3-32 Full Official Product Description
1. Part Number & Naming Definition
Official Full Name
Cisco 32-Channel High-Density Packet Voice Digital Signal Processor Module Generation 3
Spare SKU:PVDM3-32=
Naming Breakdown
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PVDM3: Packet Voice Digital Signal Processor Module, Generation 3
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32: Maximum 32 voice/fax media processing channels under low-complexity G.711 codec configuration
Core Product Positioning
The Cisco PVDM3-32 is a 240-pin DIMM pluggable DSP daughterboard designed for Cisco ISR Generation 2 (2900/3900 series) integrated services routers. As the third-generation voice media processing hardware, it delivers substantially improved DSP performance and channel density compared with the PVDM2 family. It provides dedicated hardware DSP resources for TDM-to-IP voice gateway operations, voice encoding/decoding, fax relay, universal codec transcoding, and multi-party audio conferencing. Deployed within enterprise branch unified communications gateways, it interconnects legacy PSTN trunks, on-site PBX systems, analog telephones and fax equipment with Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM) IP telephony infrastructure. It supports SRST survivable remote voice services and toll bypass voice transport across IP WAN connections.
2. Hardware Compatibility & Supported IOS Releases
Supported Router Platforms
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Cisco 2900 ISR G2: 2901, 2911, 2921, 2951
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Cisco 3900 ISR G2: 3925, 3945, 3925E, 3945E
Note: Physically incompatible with ISR G1 (2800/3800). PVDM3 cannot be directly inserted into PVDM2 slots without adapters. Mixed PVDM2 and PVDM3 on the same voice module is prohibited.
Unsupported Platforms
1700/2600/2800/3800 legacy ISR G1, ISR 4000/9000 series, Catalyst switching platforms.
Minimum Supported IOS Version
IOS 15.0(1)M for standard 2900/3900; IOS 15.1(1)T for 3925E / 3945E; Validated releases: 15.0M, 15.1M, 15.2(4)M
3. Physical & Electrical Specifications
Form Factor
240-pin DIMM pluggable module; non-hot-swappable. A full router power cycle is required for installation or removal.
Hardware Architecture
Multi-core DSP processor with integrated DDR memory, enhanced high-speed packet fabric optimized for real-time media traffic.
Channel Capacity by Codec Complexity
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Low Complexity (G.711a / G.711μ, Fax Passthrough): Up to 32 channels
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Medium Complexity (G.726, G.729A, G.729AB, G.722 Wideband): Up to 21 channels
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High Complexity (G.729, G.729B, iLBC, G.728): Up to 14 channels
Important Restriction: PVDM3 doesnotsupport G.723.1 codec. All DSP resources on a single voice network module must follow consistent codec complexity configuration.
Typical Power Consumption
Environmental Operating Parameters
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Operating Temperature: 0°C to 40°C (32°F – 104°F)
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Storage Temperature: -40°C to 70°C (-40°F – 158°F)
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Relative Humidity: 5% – 85% non-condensing
4. Supported Codecs & Key Functional Features
Supported Voice Codecs
G.711a/μ, G.722 (wideband), G.726, G.729A, G.729AB, G.729, G.729B, iLBC, G.728
Media Processing Capabilities
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Hardware accelerated voice encoding and decoding for TDM-IP gateway interworking
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T.38 Fax Relay, Fax Passthrough and Modem Passthrough
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Universal any-to-any codec transcoding between narrowband and wideband voice streams
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Multi-party audio conferencing bridge resources (maximum 64 participants per conference)
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ITU-T G.168 compliant acoustic echo cancellation (128ms tail coverage)
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Voice Activity Detection (VAD), Comfort Noise Generation (CNG)
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Dynamic jitter buffer management for real-time voice media streams
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SRTP support for secure encrypted VoIP media
Advanced Architecture Features
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Dynamic shared DSP resource pooling within the host router
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Fast hardware DSP health monitoring and fault detection
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Unified single DSP firmware image for all PVDM3 models
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Backward compatible with PVDM2 voice service framework for investment protection
Management & Diagnostics
Complete configuration and real-time monitoring via Cisco IOS CLI
DSP resource utilization tracking, remote DSP firmware upgrade, loopback diagnostics, comprehensive voice call debugging
Alarm and event reporting via SNMP v1/v2c/v3 and Syslog
5. Typical Enterprise Deployment Scenarios
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Medium-density branch VoIP gateway supporting analog stations or T1/E1 digital PSTN trunk voice traffic
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SRST (Survivable Remote Site Telephony) deployment for backup voice services during WAN connectivity failures
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Medium-volume T.38 Fax over IP transport for distributed branch office multi-function fax devices
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Codec transcoding between local PSTN trunks and centralized Cisco Unified Communications Manager clusters
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Local multi-party audio conferencing resources for remote-site unified communications
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Toll bypass voice connectivity to reduce enterprise PSTN long-distance communication expenses
6. Regulatory & Compliance Certifications
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Safety Standards: UL 60950-1, CSA C22.2 No.60950-1, IEC/EN 60950-1
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EMC Compliance: CE Mark, FCC Part 15 Class A, ICES-003 Class A, VCCI Class A
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Environmental Directives: EU RoHS 2.0 compliant, WEEE compliant
7. Standard Factory Package Contents
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Cisco PVDM3-32 32-channel Generation 3 Packet Voice DSP Module
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Hardware installation guide
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Safety and regulatory documentation
End-of-Life Status
The entire PVDM3 product family has reached Cisco End-of-Sale (EoS). Original new hardware manufacturing has been discontinued with limited software maintenance support. Recommended migration path: ISR 4000 series routers equipped with PVDM4 media DSP modules.
UNSPSC Classification Code
43222608 – Cisco PVDM3-32 32-channel Generation 3 Packet Voice DSP Module for Cisco 2900/3900 ISR G2 Integrated Services Routers, providing hardware-based voice compression, fax relay, universal transcoding and conferencing media processing resources for medium-density enterprise branch IP telephony deployments.
Hardware Warranty
Brand-new original modules carry a 1-year limited Cisco factory warranty covering manufacturing defects. Warranty terms for refurbished hardware are subject to reseller contractual agreements.
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