Understanding the Differences Between Cisco 3925 and 3925E Routers

The Cisco 3925 and 3925E routers are part of Cisco's Integrated Services Router (ISR) series, designed for branch office deployments. Both routers offer scalable solutions, but they differ in performance, modularity, and supported features.

Overview of Cisco 3900 Series ISRs

Cisco's 3900 Series Integrated Services Routers (ISR) are modular routers designed to meet the needs of medium-to-large branch offices. This series includes the 3925, 3925E, 3945, and 3945E models. These routers are renowned for their high-performance capabilities, which provide concurrent services at up to 375 Mbps. They offer virtualized applications and highly secure collaboration, making them ideal for businesses looking to scale their network needs.

Key Differences Between Cisco 3925 and 3925E Routers

Form Factor and Performance

The main differences between the 3925 and 3925E routers lie in their form factor, performance, and supported features.

Cisco 3925 Router:

Standard model with standard performance. Optimal for small to medium-sized businesses. Typically has 2 Enhanced Service Module (ESM) slots and 2 Network Interface Module (NIM) slots. Maximum throughput up to 50 Mbps depending on configuration. Supports basic routing security and voice capabilities.

Cisco 3925E Router:

Enhanced model with a higher performance level. Suitable for larger deployments. Generally has 3 ESM slots and 2 NIM slots, providing more flexibility in adding services. Maximum throughput up to 100 Mbps depending on configuration. Enhanced capabilities for routing security and voice, including better support for WAN optimization and other advanced services.

The Role of the Services Processing Engine (SPE)

The most significant difference between the two models is the Services Processing Engine (SPE). The SPE acts like a CPU in a computer, enabling the router to handle network traffic more efficiently. It is field-upgradable and can be installed to improve router performance as network needs evolve.

The Cisco 3900 series routers can support four types of SPE: SPE100 for the 3925/K9; SPE150 for the 3945/K9; SPE200 for the 3925E/K9 and 3945E/K9. The 3925 router supports the SPE100, while the 3925E supports the SPE200.

In Summary

In summary, the main differences between the Cisco 3925 and 3925E routers revolve around performance, modularity, and the number of supported features. The 3925E is designed for more demanding environments, offering greater throughput and additional slots for modules. This makes it a better choice for larger or more complex network requirements.

Further Resources

For more detailed information, you can refer to the Cisco 3900 Series Integrated Services Routers Data Sheet or read this blog post that simplifies the data sheet.