Cisco 1941 vs ISR4221
The ISR 4221 is the modern IOS XE replacement for the end-of-life Cisco 1941 (ISR G2), adding much more memory, higher licensed throughput, and Cisco SD-WAN support. Production 1941 routers should be migrated to the ISR 4221.
Cisco 1941 ISR G2
ISR Generation 2 branch router with two GE ports, EHWIC and ISM slots on classic IOS 15.
- 2 onboard GE ports, 2 EHWIC slots, 1 ISM slot
- 512 MB DRAM / 256 MB flash default (classic IOS 15)
- No native IOS XE or Cisco SD-WAN
- End-of-life; past last day of support
Cisco ISR 4221
Entry ISR 4000 branch router on IOS XE with NIM slots, more memory, and SD-WAN support.
- 2 onboard GE ports, 2 NIM slots
- 4 GB DRAM / 8 GB flash default
- Up to ~300 Mbps aggregate throughput (license)
- Cisco IOS XE with Cisco SD-WAN support
Cisco 1941 ISR G2 vs Cisco ISR 4221: spec comparison
| Spec | Cisco 1941 ISR G2 | Cisco ISR 4221 |
|---|---|---|
| Onboard GE ports | 2 | 2 |
| Modular slots | 2 EHWIC + 1 ISM | 2 NIM |
| Aggregate throughput | Tens of Mbps class (G2) | 100 to 300 Mbps (license) |
| Default DRAM | 512 MB | 4 GB |
| Default flash | 256 MB CF | 8 GB |
| Software | Cisco IOS 15 (classic) | Cisco IOS XE |
| Native SD-WAN | No | Yes (Cisco SD-WAN) |
| Voice / DSP | PVDM3 (classic) | PVDM4 via NIM |
| Lifecycle status | End-of-life | Mature but supported |
Choose Cisco 1941 ISR G2 if
Choose the 1941 only to keep an existing site running on EHWIC/ISM modules you already own until a scheduled refresh; it offers nothing for a new purchase.
Choose Cisco ISR 4221 if
Choose the ISR 4221 for refreshes: far more memory, IOS XE, NIM modularity, higher licensed throughput, and native Cisco SD-WAN.
Verdict
Migrate from the Cisco 1941 to the ISR 4221. The 1941 is end-of-life on classic IOS with limited memory, while the 4221 delivers IOS XE, much larger memory and flash, higher throughput, and SD-WAN. Retain a 1941 only briefly where existing EHWIC/ISM modules and low bandwidth delay replacement.
Frequently asked questions
What replaces the Cisco 1941 router?
The Cisco ISR 4221 is the modern replacement for the 1941, moving from classic IOS 15 with EHWIC/ISM slots to IOS XE, NIM modules, more memory, and Cisco SD-WAN support.
Can I move my 1941 modules to the ISR 4221?
No. The 1941 uses EHWIC and ISM modules, while the ISR 4221 uses NIM modules, so interface and service cards typically must be repurchased when migrating.
Is the Cisco 1941 still supported?
No. The 1941 reached end-of-sale in 2018 and is past its last day of support, so it should be replaced to keep a patched, supported software image.
Is the ISR 4221 enough to replace a 1941?
For typical small-branch 1941 deployments, yes. The ISR 4221's 100 to 300 Mbps licensed throughput and IOS XE feature set comfortably exceed what a 1941 delivers in practice.
More ISR G comparisons
Specs are for planning and may change; Uniqcli confirms the current Cisco bill of materials and pricing on your quote. Cisco, Catalyst, Nexus, Meraki, and Firepower are trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc.; Uniqcli LLC is an independent authorized Cisco partner.