NIM-16A – 16x RS-232 Async Ports – Single-Wide NIM – Terminal Server Module
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NIM-16A Description
NIM-16A is a Cisco 4000 Series ISR 16-port asynchronous serial Network Interface Module for terminal-server access to RS-232 console ports.
This module fits branch or remote-management builds that need 16 async console connections in a NIM slot. It differs from NIM-24A by port count and cable-socket density, while SM-X-64A moves the same terminal-server role into an SM-X service-module slot with higher port density.
Order review should confirm the exact ISR model, available NIM slot or supported SM-X adapter path, IOS XE release, IP Base feature set, and octal cable plan before treating this SKU as a terminal-server access module rather than a WAN routing interface.
Quick Specs
|
Parameter |
Specification |
|---|---|
|
Product ID |
NIM-16A |
|
Product family |
Cisco 4000 Series Integrated Services Routers asynchronous terminal server interface modules |
|
Product type |
Asynchronous serial Network Interface Module |
|
Cisco description |
16-Port Async Serial NIM |
|
Supported interface |
RS-232 |
|
Primary role |
Terminal-server access to remote device console ports |
|
Form factor |
Single-wide NIM |
|
Platform support |
Cisco 4000 Series ISR NIM slots; datasheet lists Cisco 4221, 4321, 4331, 4351, 4431, and 4451 |
|
Minimum Cisco IOS Software release |
16.3.1 |
|
Cisco IOS XE feature set |
IP Base and up |
|
Cable sockets |
2 asynchronous cable sockets |
|
Supported cable SKUs |
CAB-HD8-ASYNC or CAB-ASYNC-8 on both sockets |
|
Recommended connection rate |
9600 baud |
Application Scenarios
Use NIM-16A when a Cisco 4000 Series ISR needs local async serial ports for console-level management of nearby network or server devices.
Select this SKU when the design needs 16 RS-232 async ports and a native NIM slot is the planned expansion position, rather than the 24-port NIM-24A or the SM-X-slot SM-X-64A.
Use the module where the cabling plan requires Cisco asynchronous octal cables, because Cisco documents CAB-HD8-ASYNC and CAB-ASYNC-8 support on both NIM-16A cable sockets.
Product Comparison
|
Parameter |
NIM-16A |
SM-X-64A | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Product family |
Cisco asynchronous interface modules for 4000 Series ISRs |
Cisco asynchronous interface modules for 4000 Series ISRs |
Cisco asynchronous interface modules for 4000 Series ISRs |
|
Cisco description |
16-Port Async Serial NIM |
24-Port Async Serial NIM |
64-Port Async Serial SM |
|
Product type |
Network Interface Module |
Network Interface Module |
Service Module |
|
Supported interface |
RS-232 |
RS-232 |
RS-232 |
|
Port count |
16 async serial ports |
24 async serial ports |
64 async serial ports |
|
Form factor or slot |
Single-wide NIM |
Single-wide NIM |
SM-X service module |
|
Platform support |
Cisco 4000 Series ISR NIM slots |
Cisco 4000 Series ISR NIM slots |
Cisco 4331, 4351, and 4451 platforms with an SM-X slot |
|
Minimum Cisco IOS Software release |
16.3.1 |
16.3.1 |
16.6.1 |
|
Cisco IOS XE feature set |
IP Base and up |
IP Base and up |
IP Base and up |
|
Cable socket plan |
2 sockets; CAB-HD8-ASYNC or CAB-ASYNC-8 on both sockets |
3 sockets; CAB-ASYNC-8 required on the middle socket |
SM-X cable sockets support CAB-HD8-ASYNC or CAB-ASYNC-8 |
|
Recommended connection rate |
9600 baud |
9600 baud |
9600 baud |
|
SLIP and PPP support |
Not supported |
Not supported |
Not supported |
- In a NIM-16A vs NIM-24A comparison, the practical difference is async port density: NIM-16A provides 16 RS-232 ports, while NIM-24A provides 24 RS-232 ports in the same NIM product family.
- The NIM-16A vs SM-X-64A difference is slot type and scale; NIM-16A uses a NIM slot, while SM-X-64A is an SM-X service module with 64 async serial ports and a later minimum Cisco IOS Software release.
- For buyers deciding which model to choose, the NIM-16A comparison should start with available router slots, required console-port count, and whether the cable plan uses the two-socket NIM layout.
Selection Guide
1. Choose NIM-16A for a 16-port async NIM requirement
Select NIM-16A when the bill of materials calls for 16 RS-232 asynchronous serial ports in a Cisco 4000 Series ISR NIM slot.
2. Move to NIM-24A when port count is the main constraint
Choose NIM-24A instead when the same NIM-slot design needs 24 async ports and the cable plan accounts for its three-socket layout.
3. Use SM-X-64A only for SM-X based high density
Select SM-X-64A only when the target ISR platform has the supported SM-X slot and the deployment needs 64 async serial ports rather than a NIM form factor.
4. Keep the module scoped to terminal-server use
Verify IOS XE 16.3.1 or later support context, IP Base or higher feature set, cabling, and the no-SLIP/no-PPP limitation before treating NIM-16A as a console access module.
Ordering Checklist
|
Check Item |
What to Confirm |
Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
|
Exact SKU |
NIM-16A |
Confirms the order is for the 16-port async serial NIM rather than NIM-24A or SM-X-64A |
|
Router platform |
Cisco 4000 Series ISR with an available NIM slot |
Cisco documents NIM-16A for 4000 Series ISR NIM-slot use |
|
Port requirement |
16 RS-232 asynchronous serial ports |
Separates this SKU from 24-port and 64-port async module choices |
|
Cable plan |
CAB-HD8-ASYNC or CAB-ASYNC-8 on both cable sockets |
The console-port plan depends on the correct octal cable type |
|
Software baseline |
Cisco IOS Software 16.3.1 and IP Base or higher support context |
Matches Cisco’s minimum software and feature-set table for NIM-16A |
|
Protocol scope |
Terminal-server console access without SLIP or PPP |
Cisco documents that asynchronous routing and data encapsulation are not supported |
|
Slot service procedure |
Slot power shutdown or Cisco OIR command process before installation or removal |
Prevents treating the module as a simple cable-only field swap |
Specifications
| Parameter | Specification | Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Cisco | Product ID | NIM-16A |
| Product family | Cisco 4000 Series ISR asynchronous terminal server interface modules | Product type | Asynchronous serial Network Interface Module |
| Cisco description | 16-Port Async Serial NIM | Supported interface | RS-232 |
| Port count | 16 async serial ports | Form factor | Single-wide NIM |
| Supported platform family | Cisco 4000 Series Integrated Services Routers | Listed ISR platforms | Cisco 4221, 4321, 4331, 4351, 4431, and 4451 |
| Minimum Cisco IOS Software release | 16.3.1 | Cisco IOS XE feature set | IP Base and up |
| Cable sockets | 2 asynchronous cable sockets | Supported cable SKUs | CAB-HD8-ASYNC or CAB-ASYNC-8 on both sockets |
| Recommended connection rate | 9600 baud | Higher connection rates | Use only with a low number of simultaneous connections |
| Unsupported protocols | SLIP and PPP are not supported | Interface addressing | interface async slot/subslot/port |
| LED indicators | Module status, port 0-7 status, and port 8-15 status | Slot service procedure | Shut down slot power or use Cisco OIR commands before install or removal |
| Dimensions | 1.25 x 3.5 x 6.7 in. / 32 x 89 x 172 mm | Operating temperature | 32 to 104 degrees F (0 to 40 degrees C) |
| Storage temperature | -4 to 149 degrees F (-20 to 65 degrees C) | Relative humidity | 10 to 90 percent, noncondensing |
Get More Information
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