Cisco PVDM4-64 Full Official Product Description
1. Part Number & Naming Definition
Official Full Name
Cisco 64-Channel Generation 4 Packet Voice Digital Signal Processor Module
Spare SKU:PVDM4-64=
Naming Breakdown
-
PVDM4: Packet Voice Digital Signal Processor Module, Generation 4
-
64: Maximum 64 media processing channels under low-complexity G.711 codec configuration
Core Product Positioning
The Cisco PVDM4-64 is a compact pluggable fourth-generation DSP media module designed exclusively for Cisco 4000 Series Integrated Services Routers (ISR 4000). It delivers hardware-offloaded real-time media processing to relieve router main CPU burden. Deployed either on the router motherboard dedicated slot or compatible T1/E1 voice NIM modules, the PVDM4-64 enables TDM-to-IP voice gateway operation, universal codec transcoding, multi-party audio conferencing, and fax services. It interconnects legacy PSTN trunks, enterprise PBX systems and analog telephony hardware with Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM), supporting SRST, CUBE (Cisco Unified Border Element), toll bypass and branch unified communications deployments.
2. Hardware Compatibility & Supported IOS Releases
Supported Router Platforms
-
Cisco ISR 4000 Series: ISR4321, ISR4331, ISR4351, ISR4431, ISR4451-X
Important Note: ISR4461 doesnotcontain motherboard PVDM4 slots.
PVDM4 series is physically incompatible with PVDM2 / PVDM3 slots on ISR G1 / G2 routers.
Unsupported Platforms
2800/3800 ISR G1, 2900/3900 ISR G2, Catalyst switches, ISR 9000 series, CSR virtual routers.
Minimum Supported IOS Version
IOS 15.4(2)T; Validated stable releases: 15.4T, 15.5M, 16.x, 17.x IOS-XE
3. Physical & Electrical Specifications
Form Factor
Mezzanine pluggable daughterboard;non-hot-swappable. Full router power cycle required for installation and removal.
Channel Capacity by Codec Complexity
-
Low Complexity (G.711a/μ, Clear Channel): Up to 64 channels
-
Medium Complexity (G.722, G.729A, G.729AB): Up to 48 channels
-
High Complexity (G.729, G.729B, iLBC, G.728): Up to 32 channels
Typical Power Consumption
4.2 W; supports dynamic power-saving idle mode to reduce energy usage.
Environmental Operating Parameters
-
Operating Temperature: 0°C to 40°C (32°F – 104°F)
-
Storage Temperature: -40°C to 70°C (-40°F – 158°F)
-
Relative Humidity: 5% – 85% non-condensing
4. Supported Codecs & Key Functional Features
Supported Voice Codecs
G.711a / G.711μ, G.722 Wideband, G.728, G.729A, G.729AB, G.729, G.729B, iLBC
PVDM4 does not support G.723.1 codec.
Media Processing Capabilities
-
Hardware accelerated voice encoding and decoding for TDM-IP gateway interworking
-
Universal any-to-any codec transcoding and transrating for CUBE deployments
-
Multi-party audio conferencing bridge resources
-
ITU-T G.168 compliant acoustic echo cancellation (128ms tail length)
-
Voice Activity Detection (VAD), Comfort Noise Generation (CNG)
-
Dynamic jitter buffer management for real-time VoIP media streams
-
SRTP support for encrypted secure voice media transport
-
T.38 Fax Relay support (only when installed on voice-capable NIM modules)
Architecture Advantages
-
Dynamic shared DSP resource pooling within the host router
-
Independent DSP firmware upgrade via Cisco IOS
-
Low latency media processing optimized for branch VoIP and SIP trunking
-
Separate resource model: motherboard-installed PVDM4 handles transcoding/conferencing only; NIM-mounted PVDM4 supports PSTN trunk voice + fax.
Management & Diagnostics
Full configuration and real-time monitoring via Cisco IOS CLI
DSP resource utilization tracking, loopback diagnostics, comprehensive voice call debugging
Alarm and fault reporting via SNMP v1/v2c/v3 and Syslog
5. Typical Enterprise Deployment Scenarios
-
Medium-density branch VoIP gateway supporting T1/E1 digital PSTN trunk connections
-
SRST survivable remote telephony for backup voice services during WAN outages
-
CUBE SIP trunk border element codec transcoding between service providers and enterprise CUCM
-
Local multi-party audio conferencing for distributed branch office unified communications
-
Toll bypass voice connectivity to reduce enterprise PSTN long-distance communication costs
-
Medium-volume T.38 Fax over IP transport for remote branch office fax equipment
6. Regulatory & Compliance Certifications
-
Safety Standards: UL 60950-1, CSA C22.2 No.60950-1, IEC/EN 60950-1
-
EMC Compliance: CE Mark, FCC Part 15 Class A, ICES-003 Class A, VCCI Class A
-
Environmental Directives: EU RoHS 2.0 compliant, WEEE compliant
7. Standard Factory Package Contents
-
Cisco PVDM4-64 64-channel Generation 4 Packet Voice DSP Module
-
Hardware installation guide
-
Safety and regulatory documentation
End-of-Life Status
The PVDM4 family remains available for order but will follow Cisco standard lifecycle policy. Newer Catalyst 8000 platforms adopt SM-X-PVDM media modules as the migration solution.
UNSPSC Classification Code
43222608 – Cisco PVDM4-64 64-channel Generation 4 Packet Voice DSP Module for Cisco 4000 Series Integrated Services Routers, providing hardware-based voice compression, universal transcoding, audio conferencing and T.38 fax relay media processing resources for medium-density enterprise branch IP telephony and CUBE deployments.
Hardware Warranty
Brand-new original modules carry a 1-year limited Cisco factory warranty covering manufacturing defects. Warranty terms for refurbished hardware follow reseller contractual agreements.
|
