Cisco 900 Series ISR(Integrated Services Routers) EOL & Replacement Guide

The Cisco 900 Series Integrated Services Routers are now End of Sale. Cisco’s last day to order the affected hardware and licenses through its normal point-of-sale channels was July 28, 2026.

That does not mean Cisco 900 Series routers immediately stop working or that all support has ended. Cisco’s published lifecycle schedule extends much further: software maintenance releases are scheduled to end in July 2027, vulnerability/security support in July 2029, and the Last Date of Support is July 31, 2031.

For organizations still using an ISR 900, the important question is therefore not simply “Is it EOL?” The useful question is which lifecycle milestone has passed, what remains available, and when the platform should be replaced.

Cisco 900 Series EOL / EOS Timeline

Cisco’s EOL bulletin EOL15644 provides the following lifecycle milestones for the ISR 900 Series routers, licenses, and accessories.

The distinction between these dates matters. End of Sale is not the same thing as Last Date of Support.

Cisco defines End of Sale as the point after which the product is no longer offered for sale through Cisco’s point-of-sale mechanisms. Last Date of Support is the final date for applicable support under active service contracts or warranty terms.

So, as of September 2026, the Cisco 900 Series is no longer a current product for new Cisco purchases, but it has not yet reached its final support date.

Which Cisco 900 Series Models Are Affected?

Cisco’s EOL bulletin covers a number of ISR 900 Series hardware part numbers rather than treating every configuration as a single SKU. The bulletin includes C921, C921J, C926, C927, and C931 variants, including regional LTE configurations.

Cisco’s current support page identifies these four base models:

• C921-4P
• C926-4P
• C927-4P
• C931-4P

Cisco’s EOL bulletin also explicitly lists C921J variants and multiple LTE/regional versions, so checking the exact product part number is important when determining lifecycle and replacement information for an individual unit.

Representative Cisco 900 Series Models and Interfaces

Cisco’s data sheet also documents LTE variants such as C921-4PLTEGB, C921-4PLTEAU, C921-4PLTEAS, C927-4PLTE variants, and C926-4PLTEGB. The exact WAN technology and LTE bands depend on the SKU.

What Does Cisco 900 Series End of Sale Actually Mean?

The July 28, 2026 End-of-Sale date means Cisco no longer accepts normal point-of-sale orders for the affected products after that date. It does not remotely disable the router.

An existing C921, C926, C927, or C931 can continue to operate after End of Sale. The issue is the gradual reduction in future software, security, service-contract, and vendor-support availability.

This is why simply describing the Cisco 900 Series as “dead” would be inaccurate.

A better description as of September 2026 is:

The Cisco 900 Series is past End of Sale, but remains inside its post-sale support lifecycle.

That distinction is especially important for businesses with existing deployments.

Cisco 900 Series Software Support

Cisco’s EOL bulletin states that the last supported software release on these routers will be Cisco 15.9.3. Cisco’s product support documentation also lists Cisco IOS 15.9 documentation and release information for the 900 Series.

The key lifecycle date is July 28, 2027, when Cisco’s End of Software Maintenance Releases milestone is reached.

Cisco defines this milestone as the last date its Engineering organization may release final software maintenance releases or bug fixes for the affected hardware. After that date, Cisco Engineering will no longer develop, repair, maintain, or test the product software.

That does not mean IOS 15.9.3 suddenly stops functioning in 2027. It means the platform is no longer receiving the normal engineering maintenance associated with that lifecycle stage.

For a production network, that distinction should be considered alongside the later security-support deadline.

When Does Cisco 900 Series Security Support End?

The EOL bulletin gives July 27, 2029 as the End of Vulnerability / Security Support date.

Cisco defines this milestone as the last date its Engineering organization may release a planned maintenance release or scheduled software remedy for a security vulnerability issue.

This is one of the most important dates for organizations using ISR 900 routers on production or Internet-facing networks.

There is a significant difference between:

• the router still forwarding traffic,
• the router still receiving software maintenance,
• the router still receiving security remedies, and
• the router still being covered by Cisco support.

Those are separate lifecycle questions.

What Replaced Cisco 900 Series Routers?

Cisco’s official EOL announcement identifies Cisco ISR 1000 Series Routers and Cisco 8100 Series Secure Routers as migration options for customers currently using ISR 900 Series routers.

For individual part numbers, Cisco also provides specific replacement product numbers.

These are Cisco’s documented replacement mappings, not a statement that every replacement is an exact hardware-equivalent drop-in replacement.

For example, DSL interfaces, LTE functionality, licensing, port layout, software capabilities, and physical installation requirements can differ. Cisco specifically notes additional pluggable interface modules or equivalent licenses for some migration paths.

Before replacing an ISR 900, compare the actual configuration rather than buying a replacement based only on the model number.

Is There a One-to-One Replacement for Every Cisco 900?

Not necessarily.

Cisco’s EOL documentation provides part-number-specific replacement products for many affected SKUs, but it also separately describes ISR 1000 Series and Cisco 8100 Series Secure Routers as broader migration options.

This is an important distinction.

A Cisco 900 Series deployment may depend on:

• Gigabit Ethernet WAN
• VDSL or ADSL
• LTE
• regional cellular bands
• specific licensing
• existing accessories
• physical mounting requirements
• existing IOS features
• a particular WAN design

A newer router may replace the overall role of the ISR 900 without being physically or operationally identical.

The correct replacement therefore depends on the configuration and requirements of the existing installation.

Can You Still Use a Cisco 900 Series Router?

Yes. End of Sale does not prevent an existing router from continuing to operate.

For a lab, homelab, training environment, certification practice, development/testing environment, or other non-critical network, a used Cisco 900 Series router can still have practical value.

Cisco’s hardware documentation describes the 900 Series as compact fixed-form-factor routers intended for small and midsize businesses, enterprise branches, and customer-premises deployments. The platform includes a four-port managed switch and supports routing, VPN, security, and other IOS features.

The question becomes less about whether the hardware can work and more about whether its remaining lifecycle fits the intended use.

Buying a Used Cisco 900 Series After End of Sale

The End-of-Sale status changes the way a used purchase should be evaluated.

A buyer should check the exact PID/part number, not just “Cisco 900 Series.”

For example, a C921 Ethernet configuration is materially different from a DSL or LTE variant, and Cisco’s replacement mapping varies accordingly.

Before purchasing used equipment, verify:

• exact model and part number
• included power supply
• LTE or DSL functionality where applicable
• required accessories and mounting hardware
• installed software
• licensing requirements
• physical condition
• seller testing
• return policy
• compatibility with the intended WAN connection
• whether vendor support is required

For organizations that depend on active vendor support or current security maintenance, the remaining Cisco lifecycle should be considered before purchasing additional legacy hardware.

For a homelab or training environment, the calculation can be very different because long-term vendor lifecycle support may be less important than acquisition cost and compatibility with existing lab requirements.

Cisco 900 Series Used Equipment: What About Support Contracts?

The EOL schedule is more nuanced than simply “support ended.”

Cisco states that customers with active and paid service contracts can continue to receive support according to the terms of those contracts. The EOL bulletin also gives July 28, 2027 as the End of New Service Attachment Date and October 26, 2030 as the End of Service Contract Renewal Date.

This means the ability to obtain or renew support is tied to the specific lifecycle milestone and contract circumstances.

Someone buying a used ISR 900 should therefore not assume that a second-hand unit automatically comes with the same support entitlement as equipment already covered under an existing Cisco service agreement.

Is Cisco 900 Series Still Practical for Production?

There is no single answer for every deployment, but the lifecycle dates should be part of the decision.

For an existing installation, the hardware can remain operational after End of Sale, and Cisco’s published support timeline extends through July 31, 2031. However, software maintenance ends in 2027 and vulnerability/security support ends in 2029.

For a new production deployment, that makes lifecycle planning particularly important.

If a deployment requires a long remaining period of vendor software maintenance, security remediation, or hardware support, a current Cisco platform should be evaluated instead of treating an inexpensive used ISR 900 as equivalent to a newly supported product.

For a lab or non-critical environment, however, the same lifecycle status may be entirely acceptable.

Cisco 900 Series EOL: What Should Existing Owners Do?

If you already have Cisco 900 Series routers installed, the most useful first step is to inventory the exact hardware.

Record:

1. Model and PID
2. Software version
3. WAN technology
4. LTE/DSL requirements
5. Current license configuration
6. Current support-contract status
7. Network role and criticality
8. Planned replacement date

Then compare the deployment against the Cisco lifecycle milestones.

The immediate End-of-Sale date does not create an overnight migration requirement. The more consequential planning dates are the July 28, 2027 software-maintenance deadline, July 27, 2029 security-support deadline, and July 31, 2031 Last Date of Support.

The Cisco 900 Series Integrated Services Routers are now End of Sale as of July 28, 2026, but they have not yet reached their final support date.

The important lifecycle sequence is:

End of Sale → July 28, 2026
End of Software Maintenance → July 28, 2027
End of Vulnerability / Security Support → July 27, 2029
End of Service Contract Renewal → October 26, 2030
Last Date of Support → July 31, 2031

Cisco officially identifies the ISR 1000 Series and Cisco 8100 Series Secure Routers as migration options, with specific ISR 1100 replacement mappings for many individual Cisco 900 Series part numbers.

For existing deployments, the router does not suddenly become unusable because End of Sale has passed. For new deployments, however, the remaining lifecycle should be evaluated carefully against the operational and security requirements of the network.

Is the Cisco 900 Series discontinued?

Yes. Cisco’s End-of-Sale date for the affected ISR 900 Series routers, licenses, and accessories was July 28, 2026. Cisco’s current support catalog now lists the series as End of Sale.

Is Cisco 900 Series still supported?

Yes, but only within the remaining lifecycle. Cisco lists July 31, 2031 as the Last Date of Support. Software maintenance releases end in 2027, and vulnerability/security support ends in 2029.

What replaced the Cisco 900 Series?

Cisco identifies the ISR 1000 Series and Cisco 8100 Series Secure Routers as migration options. Cisco also provides specific replacement part numbers for individual ISR 900 SKUs, primarily within the ISR 1100 family.

Can I still use a Cisco 900 Series router after End of Sale?

Yes. End of Sale does not automatically disable existing hardware. The router can continue operating, but its remaining software, security, and support lifecycle should be considered.

What is the last software release for the Cisco 900 Series?

Cisco’s EOL bulletin states that the last supported software release on these routers will be Cisco 15.9.3.

Is a used Cisco 900 Series router still worth buying?

It depends on the use case. A used unit may still be practical for labs, training, testing, or an existing deployment that needs compatible hardware. A network that requires a long remaining period of vendor software and security support should be evaluated against newer platforms.

Sources Used for Factual Verification

Cisco — End-of-Sale and End-of-Life Announcement for the Cisco ISR 900 Series Routers, Licenses and Accessories, EOL15644
Official source for the lifecycle dates, affected part numbers, replacement mappings, last supported software release, and migration options. Cisco ISR 900 Series EOL Bulletin

Cisco — Cisco 900 Series Integrated Services Routers Support Page
Official source for the current End-of-Sale status, series information, supported base models, and support documentation. Cisco 900 Series Support Page

Cisco — Cisco 900 Series Integrated Services Routers Data Sheet
Official source for model interfaces, LTE variants, system features, and product part-number information. Cisco 900 Series Data Sheet

Cisco — End-of-Life Policy
Official source for Cisco’s definitions of End of Life, End of Sale, Last Date of Support, and lifecycle milestones. Cisco End-of-Life Policy

Fact-Check Warnings

• Do not treat “EOL” and “End of Sale” as synonymous. The Cisco 900 Series has passed End of Sale, but its Last Date of Support is still July 31, 2031.
• Cisco’s current support page highlights four base models, while the detailed 2025 EOL bulletin includes additional C921J, LTE, regional, licensing, and accessory part numbers. For a model-specific page, verify the exact PID against the EOL bulletin.
• The replacement products listed above are Cisco-documented replacement mappings. They should not automatically be described as drop-in, feature-for-feature, or configuration-equivalent replacements without checking the specific deployment.
• Cisco states that security support can continue until July 27, 2029, but that should not be interpreted as a guarantee of unlimited future feature development or a blanket recommendation for new production deployments.