Every WhaleyComm unit is professionally tested, reset to factory defaults, and certified by our in-house engineers — the same standard trusted by 5,000+ organisations across 25 years. Not a refurb marketplace. A certified lifecycle partner.
Professionally tested and reset to factory defaults. Backed by 25 years of enterprise trust.
This refurbished Cisco NIM-16A is a 16-port asynchronous serial Network Interface Module designed for the Cisco ISR 4000 Series. Professionally tested and reset to factory defaults, this module gives enterprise network teams a cost-effective path to expanding terminal server capacity on their existing ISR 4000 infrastructure without compromising reliability or performance.
The NIM-16A plugs directly into any NIM slot on all Cisco 4000 Series ISR platforms and enables the router to function as a terminal server, providing out-of-band console access to remote network and server devices across a LAN or WAN. The module supports RS-232 asynchronous serial interfaces and connects to downstream devices via standard Octal cables (CAB-HD8-ASYNC or CAB-ASYNC-8). Cisco IOS Software automatically creates the async interfaces upon module insertion, and the recommended connection rate is 9600 baud, with higher rates supported for low simultaneous connection counts.
This refurbished NIM-16A represents significant savings versus new list pricing while delivering identical functionality. WhaleyComm's ISO 9001-certified testing process ensures every unit ships ready to deploy. Whether you are centralizing out-of-band management for a branch office or expanding an existing terminal server deployment, the NIM-16A delivers proven Cisco performance at a fraction of the cost.
Technical Specifications
Product Type
16-Port Asynchronous Serial Network Interface Module (NIM)
Interface Type
RS-232 Asynchronous Serial
Form Factor
Single-wide NIM (plug-in module)
Compatible Platforms
Cisco ISR 4221, 4321, 4331, 4351, 4431, 4451 (all 4000 Series ISR platforms with NIM slots)
Cable Sockets
2 (upper and lower)
Supported Cables
CAB-HD8-ASYNC, CAB-ASYNC-8
Recommended Baud Rate
9600 bps
Primary Use
Terminal server / out-of-band console management
Software
Cisco IOS Software (auto-creates async interfaces on insertion)
SLIP/PPP Support
Not supported
Ideal Use Cases
Out-of-Band Network Management
Deploy the NIM-16A to give network operators centralized console access to up to 16 remote devices simultaneously, eliminating the need for dedicated console servers or local physical access during outages.
Terminal Server Consolidation
Consolidate multiple legacy terminal server appliances into a single ISR 4000 router by leveraging the NIM-16A, reducing rack space, power draw, and management overhead across branch or data center environments.
Branch Office Console Access
Enable branch office IT staff to manage routers, switches, and servers remotely via centralized console sessions, reducing mean time to repair and minimizing costly truck rolls.
ISR 4000 Capacity Expansion
Scale an existing Cisco ISR 4000 deployment by adding asynchronous serial capacity in a single-wide NIM slot, with the number of modules limited only by available NIM slots on the host platform.
Legacy Serial Device Integration
Connect RS-232 serial devices — including older network equipment, industrial controllers, and legacy servers — to modern ISR 4000 infrastructure for centralized management without replacing end-of-life hardware.
What's Included
Cisco NIM-16A 16-Port Async Serial NIM module
Certificate of Testing
Lifetime Warranty — No Time Limits. No Questions.
Every WhaleyComm unit ships with a Lifetime Warranty. If it fails under normal operating conditions at any point, we replace it. We have stood behind our hardware for 25 years and 5,000+ customers — that is not a marketing line, it is our operating standard.
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Compatibility Details
Review supported optics, cables, software, management protocols, and environment-specific compatibility guidance.
COMPATIBLE PLATFORMS
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The Cisco NIM-16A is supported in the NIM slots of all Cisco 4000 Series ISR platforms: ISR 4221, 4321, 4331, 4351, 4431, and 4451.
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The number of NIM-16A modules per platform is governed only by the number of available NIM slots.
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The NIM-16A can also be used with the SM-X-NIM-ADPTR adapter on platforms that support SM-X slots (one 16-port module per adapter; ISR 4331 supports one adapter, ISR 4351 and 4451 support two adapters).
COMPATIBLE OPTICS & CABLES
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Compatible cables: CAB-HD8-ASYNC and CAB-ASYNC-8.
For compatibility verification specific to your environment, contact our engineering team: +1 214 607-4800 or sales@whaleycomm.com