Cisco NC55-SC Cisco NCS 5500 / 5000 line card / module

Brand: Cisco | Category: Accessories & Components

SKU: CSC-NC55-SC | Part #: NC55-SC | MPN: NC55-SC

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The Cisco NC55-SC system controller is a critical control-plane module validated exclusively for deployment across the Cisco NCS 5504, NCS 5508, and NCS 5516 chassis platforms running Cisco IOS XR. This modular blade serves as the route processor and supervisor engine for the entire NCS 5500 and NCS 5000 series product family, handling everything from fabric coordination and environmental monitoring to chassis initialization and routing protocol processing. Network engineers and infrastructure architects responsible for high-availability deployments in data centers and enterprise backbone networks depend on this component to maintain network stability and operational continuity.

In production environments spanning the GCC, Asia, and Europe, the NC55-SC operates within a redundancy framework that supports a 1+1 system controller pair configuration. This redundancy model enables Stateful Switchover (SSO), meaning that if the active controller fails, the standby SC assumes control without dropping established BGP sessions or losing routing state information. Cisco calls this capability Non-Stop Routing (NSR), and it applies to BGP and other critical protocols under the IOS XR operating system. For operators managing carrier-grade networks or mission-critical enterprise backbones, this architectural approach eliminates the convergence delays and packet loss that would otherwise accompany a control-plane card failure. The NC55-SC is not simply a module—it is the operational heartbeat of these chassis platforms, and its presence directly determines whether your network experiences unplanned downtime or transparent failover.

Cisco positions the NC55-SC as a genuine component within the NCS 5500 platform ecosystem, and this matters for support eligibility and certification. Only systems populated with authentic Cisco parts—including the NC55-SC by part number—qualify for full Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC) support validation when paired with a valid Cisco service contract. Data center operators, network operations teams, and system integrators who work under compliance frameworks, whether in banking, telecommunications, or cloud infrastructure, cannot afford to run unsupported configurations. The NC55-SC carries the necessary regulatory compliance certifications applicable to the NCS 5500 hardware platform, and its use aligns the entire chassis with Cisco's published safety, environmental, and performance standards. Documentation confirming compatibility is available through the Cisco compatibility matrix, ensuring that any IOS XR software release deployed on your NCS 5500 series chassis is validated against this controller module.

When you provision an NCS 5500 or NCS 5000 series chassis, the NC55-SC becomes your central decision-making engine for layer 3 routing operations. Its processor cores handle the computation of routing tables, the evaluation of BGP advertisements from peer routers, and the execution of policy-based forwarding decisions. Simultaneously, it monitors power supplies, fan units, and interface cards, raising alarms and initiating automated responses to environmental anomalies. In organizations that run distributed backbone networks across multiple data center locations—whether serving as a regional Internet exchange point, a carrier-neutral colocation facility, or an enterprise WAN hub—the reliability and feature set of this module directly influence uptime metrics and operational overhead. Engineers tasked with architecting Cisco NCS platforms understand that the choice between a single NC55-SC and a redundant pair is not merely about equipment cost; it is a decision that cascades through deployment complexity, operational risk, and compliance posture.

Omnixon Global maintains active inventory of Cisco NCS 5500 series components, including the NC55-SC system controller, for distribution across the GCC region, broader Asia-Pacific territories, and European data centers. Our team understands the validation requirements, lead-time considerations, and compliance expectations that accompany control-plane modules in production networks. Whether you are commissioning a new NCS 5500 platform, upgrading an existing chassis to introduce redundancy, or sourcing replacement controllers for maintenance cycles, Omnixon is positioned to provide genuine Cisco parts with full traceability and documentation. We invite you to submit a formal request for quotation (RFQ) detailing your NCS 5500 deployment requirements—our technical sales team will confirm compatibility, validate part numbers against your existing platform configuration, and provide the lead-time and logistics information you need for accurate project planning.

Platform Compatibility & Redundancy Support

• Compatible with Cisco NCS 5504, NCS 5508, and NCS 5516 chassis platforms only—validation through official Cisco compatibility matrix required
• Supports 1+1 system controller redundancy configuration with Stateful Switchover (SSO) capability for zero-loss failover
• Non-Stop Routing (NSR) enabled for BGP and core layer 3 routing protocols under Cisco IOS XR operating system
• Route processing, fabric coordination, environmental monitoring, and chassis initialization functions consolidated on single module
• Genuine Cisco component required for full TAC support eligibility and compliance validation when paired with active service contract
• Software compatibility confirmed against NCS 5500 IOS XR release trains documented in Cisco's official compatibility matrix
• Modular blade form factor designed for hot-swap capability during maintenance windows without forcing chassis reload