# Cisco IR1101 and IR1800 SIM cards, 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.

## Setting up a ThingSIM in Cisco IOS XE

The APN goes in **controller cellular 0/x/0 → profile (IOS XE)**.

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:** 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.

## Catalyst IR1100 Rugged

- **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

- **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

- **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.
- **IR1821**: Industrial router, 5G / LTE. Entry rugged mobile/fixed IoT router.
- **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.
- **IR1831**: Industrial router, 5G / LTE. Rugged mobile/fixed IoT router.

## Catalyst Cellular Gateway

- **CG522-E**: Failover router, 5G NR sub-6, 2 SIM slots. PoE 5G cellular gateway for Catalyst SD-WAN branch primary/backup WAN.
- **CG418-E**: Failover router, 4G LTE-Advanced Pro, 2 × single radio. PoE LTE cellular gateway for Catalyst SD-WAN branch backup WAN.

## ISR 1000 Series

- **ISR 1131 (5G)**: Branch router, 5G NR, Wi-Fi. Branch SD-WAN router with 5G and Wi-Fi 6.
- **ISR 1120 (LTE)**: Branch router, 4G LTE. Branch router with LTE WAN, optional Wi-Fi/DSL.
- **ISR 1109 (dual LTE)**: Branch router, 4G LTE. Branch/IoT router with dual LTE for redundancy.
- **ISR 1160 (LTE option)**: Branch router, 4G LTE. 8-port branch router with optional LTE.
- **ISR 1101 (LTE)**: Branch router, 4G LTE. Small branch/kiosk router with LTE.

## IR1000 Rugged Secure

- **IR1005**: Industrial router, 5G RedCap / 5G sub-6 / LTE. Secure rugged router with NGFW for critical infrastructure edge.
- **IR1001**: Industrial router, 5G RedCap / 5G sub-6 / LTE. Low-power secure router for scaled IoT deployments.

## Catalyst IR8100 Heavy Duty

- **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

### 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.

Suggested plan: 1 GB, UK 4-network, £2.40 a month per active SIM, ex VAT.

Source: https://thingsim.com/devices/cisco