Cisco PVDM4-128 Full Official Product Description
1. Part Number & Naming Definition
Official Full Name
Cisco 128-Channel Generation 4 Packet Voice Digital Signal Processor Module
Spare SKU:PVDM4-128=
Naming Breakdown
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PVDM4: Packet Voice Digital Signal Processor Module, Generation 4
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128: Maximum 128 media processing channels under low-complexity G.711 codec configuration
Core Product Positioning
The Cisco PVDM4-128 is a pluggable fourth-generation DSP media daughterboard built exclusively for Cisco 4000 Series Integrated Services Routers (ISR 4000). It provides hardware-offloaded real-time media processing to reduce CPU overhead on the host router. It can be installed on router motherboard dedicated PVDM4 slots or deployed on compatible T1/E1 voice NIM modules. The module enables TDM-to-IP voice gateway operation, universal codec transcoding, multiparty audio conferencing, and fax services. It interconnects legacy PSTN PRI trunks, on-premises PBX systems and analog telephony equipment with Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM), supporting SRST survivable voice, CUBE (Cisco Unified Border Element), toll bypass and high-density branch unified communications deployments.
2. Hardware Compatibility & Supported IOS-XE Releases
Supported Router Platforms
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Cisco ISR 4000 Series: ISR4321, ISR4331, ISR4351, ISR4431, ISR4451-X
Important Note: ISR4461does not have motherboard PVDM4 slots.
PVDM4 hardware 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, Catalyst 8000 edge routers (requires SM-X-PVDM series).
Minimum Supported IOS-XE Version
IOS-XE 15.4(2)T; Validated stable releases: 15.4T, 15.5M, 16.x, 17.x IOS-XE
3. Physical & Electrical Specifications
Form Factor
Compact mezzanine pluggable daughterboard;non-hot-swappable. Full router power cycle is mandatory for installation or removal.
Channel Capacity by Codec Complexity
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Low Complexity (G.711a/μ, Clear Channel, Fax Passthrough): Up to 128 channels
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Medium Complexity (G.722, G.729A, G.729AB): Up to 96 channels
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High Complexity (G.729, G.729B, iLBC, G.728): Up to 64 channels
Typical Power Consumption
4.6 W; supports dynamic idle power-saving mode to reduce power draw during low traffic periods.
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 / G.711μ, G.722 Wideband, G.728, G.729A, G.729AB, G.729, G.729B, iLBC
PVDM4 series doesnotsupport G.723.1 codec.
Media Processing Capabilities
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Hardware accelerated voice encoding and decoding for TDM-IP gateway interworking
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Universal any-to-any codec transcoding and transrating optimized for CUBE deployments
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Multiparty audio conferencing bridge resources
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ITU-T G.168 compliant acoustic echo cancellation (128ms tail length)
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Voice Activity Detection (VAD), Comfort Noise Generation (CNG)
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Dynamic jitter buffer management for low-latency real-time VoIP media streams
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SRTP support for encrypted secure voice media transmission
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T.38 Fax Relay support (only functional when mounted on voice-capable NIM modules)
Architecture Advantages
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Dynamic shared DSP resource pooling within the host router
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Independent remote DSP firmware upgrade via Cisco IOS-XE
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Low-latency media processing optimized for high-density branch VoIP and SIP trunk deployments
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Resource separation rule: Motherboard-installed PVDM4 handles transcoding/conferencing only; NIM-mounted PVDM4 supports PSTN trunk voice and fax relay services.
Management & Diagnostics
Complete configuration and real-time monitoring via Cisco IOS-XE CLI
DSP resource utilization tracking, loopback diagnostics, comprehensive voice call debugging
Fault alarm and event reporting via SNMP v1/v2c/v3 and Syslog
5. Typical Enterprise Deployment Scenarios
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High-density branch VoIP gateway supporting multiple T1/E1 digital PSTN PRI trunk voice traffic
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SRST (Survivable Remote Site Telephony) for resilient backup voice services during WAN connectivity failures
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CUBE SIP trunk border element codec transcoding between telecom service providers and enterprise CUCM clusters
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Local multi-party audio conferencing for large distributed branch office unified communications
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Toll bypass voice connectivity to reduce enterprise long-distance PSTN communication expenses
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High-volume T.38 Fax over IP transport for regional hub branch office multi-function fax equipment
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 PVDM4-128 128-channel Generation 4 Packet Voice DSP Module
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Hardware installation guide
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Safety and regulatory documentation
End-of-Life Status
The PVDM4 family remains orderable under Cisco lifecycle policy. Catalyst 8000 edge platforms use SM-X-PVDM media modules as the official migration replacement solution.
UNSPSC Classification Code
43222608 – Cisco PVDM4-128 128-channel Generation 4 Packet Voice DSP Module for Cisco 4000 Series Integrated Services Routers, delivering hardware-based voice compression, universal transcoding, audio conferencing and T.38 fax relay media processing resources for high-density enterprise branch IP telephony and CUBE unified communications 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.
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