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The Huawei AR1220 Series routers deliver an exceptional blend of performance, security, and flexibility for small and midsize enterprise branches. As Huawei integrated routers, they leverage the Versatile Routing Platform (VRP) software to provide advanced WAN connectivity, on-box security, and modular expansion in a compact form factor.
Designed for use as wired routers in retail, education, healthcare, and government networks, the AR1220 Series offers industry-leading reliability at a competitive price point. Whether you choose the entry-level AR1220-S, the enhanced AR1220E, or the carrier-grade AR1220C-S, these enterprise-grade routers meet diverse deployment needs with scalable throughput and feature-on-demand licensing.
Products Overview
Models Specifications
| Model | AR1220-S | AR1220E | AR1220C-S |
| CPU & Memory | 350 Kpps forwarding, 512 MB DRAM, 256 MB Flash | 1 GB DRAM, 512 MB Flash | 512 MB DRAM, 512 MB Flash |
| WAN Throughput | Up to 25 Mbps (IMIX) | Up to 400 Mbps (IMIX) | 200 Mbps (IMIX) |
| Switching Capacity | 8 Gbps | 8 Gbps | 8 Gbps |
| Fixed WAN Ports | 2× GE | 2× GE combo | 4× GE + 1× GE SFP |
| Fixed LAN Ports | 8× FE (configurable as WAN) | 8× GE | 8× GE (configurable as WAN) |
| Expansion Slots | 2× SIC, 1× WSIC (0/1 default/max) | 2× SIC, 0× WSIC | 2× SIC, 0× WSIC |
| USB/Console | 2× USB 2.0, 1× Console | 2× USB 2.0, 1× Console | 2× USB 2.0, 1× Console |
| Power | AC 100–240 V, 50/60 Hz, 54 W max | AC 100–240 V, 50/60 Hz, 60 W max | AC 100–240 V, 50/60 Hz |
| Dimensions (H×W×D) | 44.5×390×232.5 mm | 44.5×390×232.5 mm | — |
| Weight | 2.9 kg | 2.9 kg | — |
Core Features
-
Versatile Routing Platform (VRP)
Huawei’s proprietary VRP operating system offers mature routing protocols (OSPF, BGP, RIP), SD-WAN integration, and rich CLI scripting capabilities. -
Scalable Throughput
From 25 Mbps on the AR1220-S up to 400 Mbps on the AR1220E, you can match performance to budget. The AR1220C-S provides a 200 Mbps baseline for light-to-medium branch use. -
Modular Expansion
Two Service Interface Card (SIC) slots and one Wireless SIC (WSIC) slot enable upgrades for xDSL, 4G/5G, PoE, or additional Ethernet ports without replacing the chassis. -
On-Box Security
Built-in firewall, ACL, AAA, and IPsec VPN support secure site-to-site and remote-access connectivity. Advanced features like SSL VPN and UTM services are available via licensing. -
High Availability & Resilience
Support for VRRP, NQA (Network Quality Analyzer), and redundant power supplies (on select models) ensures uninterrupted service in critical environments. -
Easy Management
Manage the AR1220 Series via intuitive Web GUI, SSH/CLI, SNMP, and NetConf. Huawei’s eSight network management platform provides centralized monitoring, configuration, and software rollout. -
Rich QoS & Traffic Management
Fine-grained QoS policies, traffic shaping, and policing guarantee performance for voice, video, and business-critical applications in converged networks. -
Carrier-Grade WAN Interfaces
The AR1220C-S features additional gigabit and SFP uplinks to connect multiple WAN links (MPLS, broadband) for load balancing and seamless failover. -
Compact Form Factor
A 1 RU chassis with front-to-rear airflow suits standard rack deployments, while light-weight design simplifies installation for space-constrained branches. -
Energy Efficiency
Low power consumption (< 60 W) and ROI-ready design minimize operating costs and environmental impact.
Technical Guides
Site Survey & Planning
- Evaluate branch bandwidth requirements and WAN link types.
- Plan SIC/WSIC slot usage for xDSL, LTE, or PoE modules to match access needs.
Basic Configuration
system-view
sysname BranchAR1220
interface GigabitEthernet0/0/0
ip address 203.0.113.2 255.255.255.0
undo shutdown
ip route-static 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 203.0.113.1
IPsec VPN Setup
ike proposal 1
encryption-algorithm aes-cbc-256
dh group2
quit
ipsec proposal 1
transform esp-aes esp-sha-hmac
quit
interface Tunnel0/0/0
ip address 10.1.1.2 255.255.255.252
tunnel-protocol ipsec
peer-address 198.51.100.1
ike proposal 1
ipsec proposal 1
security acl 3000
quit
Quality of Service (QoS)
traffic classifier VoiceClass operator or
if-match acl 3001
quit
traffic behavior VoiceBehav
priority-level 7
quit
traffic policy VoicePolicy
classifier VoiceClass behavior VoiceBehav
quit
interface GigabitEthernet0/0/1
traffic-policy VoicePolicy inbound
High Availability with VRRP
interface GigabitEthernet0/0/0
vrrp vrid 1 virtual-ip 203.0.113.254
quit
Module Installation (OIR)
system-view
interface GigabitEthernet1/0/0 # SIC slot 1
undo shutdown
Firmware Upgrade
- Use TFTP/FTP server to upload new VRP image
- upgrade vpn-instance default
- reboot to apply
CLI Configuration Examples
# 1. Hostname & Basic WAN Setup
sysname BranchRouter
interface GigabitEthernet0/0/0
ip address 203.0.113.2 255.255.255.0
undo shutdown
# 2. Default Route
ip route-static 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 203.0.113.1
# 3. Enable SSH & HTTPS Management
stelnet server enable
ssh server enable
http server enable
quit
# 4. Configure VLANs & Inter-VLAN Routing
vlan 10
name Guest
vlan 20
name Staff
interface GigabitEthernet0/0/1.10
vlan-type dot1q 10
ip address 10.10.10.1 255.255.255.0
quit
interface GigabitEthernet0/0/1.20
vlan-type dot1q 20
ip address 10.20.20.1 255.255.255.0
quit
# 5. Setup IPsec VPN
ike proposal 1
encryption-algorithm aes-cbc-128
dh group2
quit
ipsec proposal 1
transform esp-3des esp-md5-hmac
quit
interface Tunnel0/0/1
ip address 10.1.2.1 255.255.255.252
tunnel-protocol ipsec
peer-address 198.51.100.2
ike proposal 1
ipsec proposal 1
security acl 3002
quit
# 6. Save Configuration
save
Real Case Studies and Scenarios
-
Retail Store Network
A chain of boutique shops deployed AR1220-S routers with 4G SIC modules to provide internet backup over LTE. Zero-touch provisioning reduced field visits by 60%, and integrated firewall protected POS systems from threats. -
University Campus Connectivity
The IT team used AR1220E units in dorms and labs, leveraging 400 Mbps throughput for e-learning platforms and research instruments. VLAN segmentation and QoS ensured video lectures and VoIP did not interfere with student browsing. -
Healthcare Multi-Branch WAN
A regional clinic network implemented AR1220C-S routers with dual SFP uplinks for MPLS and broadband. IPsec tunnels secured patient data between sites, while OIR-capable SIC slots enabled 4G failover without downtime.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
-
What throughput options are available in the AR1220 Series?
Ranges from 25 Mbps on AR1220-S, 400 Mbps on AR1220E, to 200 Mbps on AR1220C-S, adjustable via hardware and licensing. -
Can I add 4G/5G connectivity to these routers?
Yes—install a Wireless SIC module in the WSIC slot to enable LTE or 5G backup for resilient WAN. -
How many VLANs can the AR1220 handle?
Supports up to 4,096 VLANs with full inter-VLAN routing capabilities under VRP. -
Does the AR1220 support IPv6?
Full IPv6 routing and transition mechanisms (DS-Lite, NAT64) are supported in VRP. -
What security features are built in?
Hardware firewall, ACL, DoS protection, IPsec VPN, SSL VPN, and UTM services such as antivirus and web filtering via license. -
How is zero-touch provisioning implemented?
Use Huawei’s eSight or PnP configuration server. New routers auto-download configuration on first boot with matching serial number and profile. -
What management tools are available?
Manage via Web GUI, SSH/CLI, SNMP, NetConf, or centrally with Huawei eSight Network Management.
Conclusion
The Huawei AR1220 Series offers a versatile portfolio of enterprise-grade routers with modular expansion, robust security, and competitive throughput options.
Suitable for branch offices, retail outlets, educational campuses, and healthcare facilities, these Huawei integrated routers combine VRP’s mature feature set with cost-effective hardware. Whether your needs are basic wired routing, advanced SD-WAN, or on-box UTM services, the AR1220 Series delivers reliable, scalable, and secure connectivity.
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