What users are saying about
90 Ratings
<a href='https://www.trustradius.com/static/about-trustradius-scoring' target='_blank' rel='nofollow noopener'>trScore algorithm: Learn more.</a>Score 8.8 out of 100
Based on 90 reviews and ratings
14 Ratings
<a href='https://www.trustradius.com/static/about-trustradius-scoring' target='_blank' rel='nofollow noopener'>trScore algorithm: Learn more.</a>Score 7.9 out of 100
Based on 14 reviews and ratings
Attribute Ratings
- Cisco 1000 Series Aggregation Services Routers (ASR 1000) is rated higher in 1 area: Likelihood to Recommend
Likelihood to Recommend
8.6
Cisco 1000 Series Aggregation Services Routers (ASR 1000)
86%
23 Ratings
6.0
Cisco 500 Series Network Convergence System (NCS 500)
60%
2 Ratings
Likelihood to Renew
7.0
Cisco 1000 Series Aggregation Services Routers (ASR 1000)
70%
1 Rating
Cisco 500 Series Network Convergence System (NCS 500)
N/A
0 Ratings
Usability
9.7
Cisco 1000 Series Aggregation Services Routers (ASR 1000)
97%
2 Ratings
Cisco 500 Series Network Convergence System (NCS 500)
N/A
0 Ratings
Support Rating
8.8
Cisco 1000 Series Aggregation Services Routers (ASR 1000)
88%
6 Ratings
Cisco 500 Series Network Convergence System (NCS 500)
N/A
0 Ratings
Implementation Rating
10.0
Cisco 1000 Series Aggregation Services Routers (ASR 1000)
100%
1 Rating
Cisco 500 Series Network Convergence System (NCS 500)
N/A
0 Ratings
Likelihood to Recommend
Cisco 1000 Series Aggregation Services Routers (ASR 1000)
As we provide our network services poor multiple customers we were looking for a well-known brand where we could rely on their name. Cisco was, besides Aruba, the way to go in our situation. After configuration, the network administrators were able to keep everything under control with ease. It could be a bit tough for the beginning network administrator but overall it was a great investment!

Verified User
Employee in Corporate
Information Technology and Services Company, 201-500 employeesCisco 500 Series Network Convergence System (NCS 500)
Well suited for10G aggregation at network edge. Small managed networks such as school districts or distributed enterprise campus. Not well suited to RPHY aggregation at network core — queuing in NCS540 results in jitter and poor RPHY performance. Allow port license purchases in smaller units. Better support for SLA performance monitoring capabilities would allow use as a box for 10G aggregation for Carrier Ethernet NNI handoff.
Director of Network Strategy and Engineering
ArvigTelecommunications, 501-1000 employees
Pros
Cisco 1000 Series Aggregation Services Routers (ASR 1000)
- These routers are very good at performing 24x7! This is key to running an organization where employees are working 24x7.
- The ZBFW feature works especially well to help lockdown and protect your network.
- Having the ability to perform in-service upgrades is a key feature in keeping your network up at all times.
Network Administrator II
Central Electric Power CooperativeUtilities, 51-200 employees
Cisco 500 Series Network Convergence System (NCS 500)
- Switching.
- Routing.
- Access.

Verified User
Engineer in Engineering
Telecommunications Company, 11-50 employeesCons
Cisco 1000 Series Aggregation Services Routers (ASR 1000)
- The ASR 1000 series routers can, as with most devices, improve with additional memory capacity and upgraded chip sets for faster processing.
- There seems to be limitations on the number of routing sessions the smaller ASR devices can handle, which can be overcome with proper planning and placement within the network.

Verified User
Contributor in Information Technology
Information Technology and Services Company, 10,001+ employeesCisco 500 Series Network Convergence System (NCS 500)
- MPLS feature set on NCS520
- Full support for RFC2544, Y.1564 across the product line
- Greater clarity of the impact of smaller buffers on NCS540 when compared to other Qumran chipsets — some use cases like RPHY aggregation at network core are not a good fit.
Director of Network Strategy and Engineering
ArvigTelecommunications, 501-1000 employees
Pricing Details
Cisco 1000 Series Aggregation Services Routers (ASR 1000)
General
Free Trial
—Free/Freemium Version
—Premium Consulting/Integration Services
—Entry-level set up fee?
No
Starting Price
—Cisco 500 Series Network Convergence System (NCS 500)
General
Free Trial
—Free/Freemium Version
—Premium Consulting/Integration Services
Yes
Entry-level set up fee?
No
Starting Price
—Likelihood to Renew
Cisco 1000 Series Aggregation Services Routers (ASR 1000)
Cisco 1000 Series Aggregation Services Routers (ASR 1000) 7.0
Based on 1 answer
Only ASR get EOL we would like to upgrade our routers to recomended replacements.

Verified User
Professional in Engineering
Telecommunications Company, 10,001+ employeesCisco 500 Series Network Convergence System (NCS 500)
No score
No answers yet
No answers on this topic
Usability
Cisco 1000 Series Aggregation Services Routers (ASR 1000)
Cisco 1000 Series Aggregation Services Routers (ASR 1000) 9.7
Based on 2 answers
All our modular contingency service exercises use this equipment, it allows us to perform this type of exercises very easily, in a controlled and effective way. It is used at least once a month for these types of events. It also allows configuration replication in computers that are under the same model.
Analista de Redes y Comunicaciones
Banco Internacional EcuadorFinancial Services, 1001-5000 employees
Cisco 500 Series Network Convergence System (NCS 500)
No score
No answers yet
No answers on this topic
Support Rating
Cisco 1000 Series Aggregation Services Routers (ASR 1000)
Cisco 1000 Series Aggregation Services Routers (ASR 1000) 8.8
Based on 6 answers
We did not heavily engage with the Cisco 1000 Series Aggregation Services Router (ASR1000) support function as we decide to switch the solution to a more cost-effective option, and this was primarily a price decision vs. any support related decision.

Verified User
General Manager in Corporate
Financial Services Company, 1-10 employeesCisco 500 Series Network Convergence System (NCS 500)
No score
No answers yet
No answers on this topic
Implementation Rating
Cisco 1000 Series Aggregation Services Routers (ASR 1000)
Cisco 1000 Series Aggregation Services Routers (ASR 1000) 10.0
Based on 1 answer
Implementation was as per design and all best practice configuration was followed.

Verified User
Professional in Engineering
Telecommunications Company, 10,001+ employeesCisco 500 Series Network Convergence System (NCS 500)
No score
No answers yet
No answers on this topic
Alternatives Considered
Cisco 1000 Series Aggregation Services Routers (ASR 1000)
Before standardizing on the Cisco ASR 1000 we had explored the idea of using Juniper routers. Ultimately we felt the Cisco ASR 1000 was a better fit at the time. We have been very happy with this decision, but it might not be the right decision for everyone. It fit our environment and our needs very well, Juniper is also a very good choice.

Verified User
Employee in Information Technology
Internet Company, 51-200 employeesCisco 500 Series Network Convergence System (NCS 500)
Higher 10G port density on NCS540Availability of 25G/40G/100G provides greater flexibilityGood choice when full line rate is not neededGood choice when full capabilities of ASR9000 are not required
Director of Network Strategy and Engineering
ArvigTelecommunications, 501-1000 employees
Return on Investment
Cisco 1000 Series Aggregation Services Routers (ASR 1000)
- It is a healthy return on investment with planned packed size data. Average unicast latency is low and consistent with small and large packets (barring mid-sized).
- Cisco devices last longer and also have a decent trade-in policy to recover some value when equipment is replaced.
- Higher concurrent IPSec tunnels are offered, we tested for 1500+, fielding both encrypted and a mix of encrypted and cleartext traffic.
Assistant Vice President
HSBC Commercial BankingFinancial Services, 10,001+ employees
Cisco 500 Series Network Convergence System (NCS 500)
- Relatively low cost access layer device.
- Very cost effective means of getting 10G interfaces.
- Some features available on other devices out of the box are more complex or absent on the NCS without licensing or assistance.

Verified User
Engineer in Engineering
Telecommunications Company, 11-50 employees