Cisco routers and gateways, tested with ThingSIM.

Cisco's Catalyst industrial routers and ISR 1000 branch routers take a plug-in cellular module. A ThingSIM goes in the module's SIM slot and the APN goes in an LTE profile in IOS XE.

How to set it up See the 16 models

Setting up a ThingSIM in Cisco IOS XE

The APN goes in controller cellular 0/x/0 → profile (IOS XE). Copy it from the SIM's page in the ThingSIM portal; there is no username or password.

  1. Activate the SIM in the ThingSIM portal, then insert it in SIM slot 0 of the cellular module.
  2. Enter configuration mode and open the modem's controller, for example controller cellular 0/1/0 on an IR1101.
  3. Create a profile with the APN from the portal and no authentication, for example profile id 1 apn <your APN> authentication none pdn-type ipv4 slot 0.
  4. Bind it as the data and attach profile with lte sim data-profile 1 attach-profile 1 slot 0.
  5. Give interface cellular 0/x/0 ip address negotiated and a default route through it, then write memory.
  6. Check with show cellular 0/x/0 all. The profile shows ACTIVE once it has an address, and Current Roaming Status reads Roaming, which is expected for a ThingSIM.

Two SIMs for failover

Slot 0 is primary and slot 1 the backup by default (change with lte sim primary slot 1). Each slot needs its own lte sim data-profile binding. After a failover the router stays on the backup SIM until that one loses service.

Checking it works

show cellular 0/x/0 all shows radio, network, profile and roaming status; show ip interface brief shows the cellular address.

More help

APN settings, signal but no data and setting up a 4G router.

Cisco models that work with ThingSIM

Every model below is compatible and tested with ThingSIM. Older models no longer sold are marked; plenty are still in service and work the same way.

Catalyst IR1100 Rugged

Cisco IR1101 Tested with ThingSIM

IR1101

Industrial router 5G NR / 5G RedCap / LTE Cat 7 / Cat 4 / LTE-450 · 1 PIM (2 with expansion module) Compact modular SD-WAN router for utilities, substations and distributed assets; FirstNet capable.

Catalyst IR8300 Rugged

Cisco IR8340 Tested with ThingSIM

IR8340

Industrial router 5G NR / 5G RedCap / LTE Cat 7 / Cat 4 Rack-mount rugged router/switch for substations, rail trackside, roadways.

Catalyst IR1800 Rugged

Cisco IR1835 Tested with ThingSIM

IR1835

Industrial router 5G NR / 5G RedCap / LTE Cat 7 / Cat 4 · 2 cellular module slots Mobile/fixed rugged router for transit, fleets and utilities; dual 5G modules, PoE+, CAN bus.
Cisco IR1821 Tested with ThingSIM

IR1821

Industrial router 5G / LTE Entry rugged mobile/fixed IoT router.
Cisco IR1833 Tested with ThingSIM

IR1833

Industrial router 5G NR / 5G RedCap / LTE Cat 7 / Cat 4 · 2 cellular module slots Rugged router with PoE+ and redundant cellular for vehicles and field sites.
Cisco IR1831 Tested with ThingSIM

IR1831

Industrial router 5G / LTE Rugged mobile/fixed IoT router.

Catalyst Cellular Gateway

Cisco CG522-E Tested with ThingSIM

CG522-E

Failover router · dual SIM 5G NR sub-6 · 2 SIM slots PoE 5G cellular gateway for Catalyst SD-WAN branch primary/backup WAN.
Cisco CG418-E Tested with ThingSIM

CG418-E

Failover router · dual SIM 4G LTE-Advanced Pro · 2 × single radio PoE LTE cellular gateway for Catalyst SD-WAN branch backup WAN.

ISR 1000 Series

Cisco ISR 1131 (5G) Tested with ThingSIM

ISR 1131 (5G)

Branch router · Wi-Fi 5G NR Branch SD-WAN router with 5G and Wi-Fi 6.
Cisco ISR 1120 (LTE) Tested with ThingSIM

ISR 1120 (LTE)

Branch router 4G LTE Branch router with LTE WAN, optional Wi-Fi/DSL.
Cisco ISR 1109 (dual LTE) Tested with ThingSIM

ISR 1109 (dual LTE)

Branch router 4G LTE Branch/IoT router with dual LTE for redundancy.
Cisco ISR 1160 (LTE option) Tested with ThingSIM

ISR 1160 (LTE option)

Branch router 4G LTE 8-port branch router with optional LTE.
Cisco ISR 1101 (LTE) Tested with ThingSIM

ISR 1101 (LTE)

Branch router 4G LTE Small branch/kiosk router with LTE.

IR1000 Rugged Secure

Cisco IR1005 Tested with ThingSIM

IR1005

Industrial router 5G RedCap / 5G sub-6 / LTE Secure rugged router with NGFW for critical infrastructure edge.
Cisco IR1001 Tested with ThingSIM

IR1001

Industrial router 5G RedCap / 5G sub-6 / LTE Low-power secure router for scaled IoT deployments.

Catalyst IR8100 Heavy Duty

Cisco IR8140H / IR8140H-P Tested with ThingSIM

IR8140H / IR8140H-P

Industrial router 5G NR / 5G RedCap / LTE Cat 7 / Cat 4 IP67 pole/outdoor router for utilities and smart cities, no cabinet needed.

Questions people ask

Does a ThingSIM work in a Cisco IR1101?

Yes. Insert the SIM in the cellular module, create an LTE profile with the APN from the portal and attach it to the cellular interface.

Can a Cisco router fail over between two ThingSIMs?

Yes, on modules with two SIM slots. A UK 4-network ThingSIM already uses O2, Vodafone, Three and EE, so a second SIM is usually only needed for a different provider or a private APN.

Other manufacturers

Teltonika Peplink Cradlepoint (Ericsson) Digi Sierra Wireless AirLink Ubiquiti UniFi Milesight Robustel Cisco Meraki InHand Networks MultiTech Ewon (HMS Networks) MikroTik TP-Link GL.iNet RAKwireless Dragino Netgear