Chassis Hybrid Mode Operation

 

The Packet Services Card Type A (PSCA) is designed to interoperate with PSCs. However, for a PSCA to boot in a chassis with PSCs, encryption services must be disabled. By default a PSCA will not boot in a chassis containing PSCs until the operator acknowledges the loss of encryption service.

A hybrid-mode command in the Global Configuration Mode allows a chassis to accept a mix of PSCA and PSCs. This appendix describes how to enable this option. For additional information, refer to the Global Configuration Mode Commands chapter of the Command Line Interface Reference.

Hybrid Mode

PSCs and PSCAs can run in compatibility (hybrid) mode in the same chassis; encryption services are not supported.

However, the following restrictions apply:

•	The chassis must be BOOTED with the hybrid-mode configured. OR

•	The chassis must come up with all PSCs and PSCAs in the standby state (no cards configured as mode active) before being configured to run in hybrid mode.

Either restriction allows the cards to come up in hybrid mode as they become active. If the cards are active and not running in hybrid mode, they cannot switch to running in hybrid mode at run-time. This is because these cards may already be passing packets.

If you know ahead of time that the chassis will need to run a mix of PSCs and PSCAs, then configure the chassis to run in hybrid mode at boot up time.

Boot Sequence

The default on a first-time factory boot is to run a PSCA in non-hybrid, incompatible mode (powered off, Red LED illuminated). This allows encryption services to remain enabled on the chassis. To allow a chassis to run in PSC/PSCA hybrid-mode with encryption services disabled, you must run the hybrid-mode command once before installing the PSCAs.

If you simply enter the hybrid-mode command to go from the default non-hybrid to hybrid mode, the system will check if any encryption services are currently running. If they are running, an error is displayed and the system will not go into hybrid mode.

In this case, you must either:

•	Explicitly reconfigure the system to disable encryption services. OR

•	Reenter the command with the force option. However, the PSC and PSCA cards will continue to be incompatible until encryption services are disabled.

Important: If you run hybrid-mode force while encryption services are enabled on the chassis, those services will remain in the configuration file but will not be applied following a chassis boot.

Configuration Sequence

Caution: The following configuration sequence requires you to reboot the chassis. The system will remain out of service until the PSCs and PSCAs are made active. To minimize service disruption, complete this procedure during a scheduled maintenance window.

If your chassis is currently running with PSCs and you wish to add PSCAs, complete the following configuration sequence:

•	Log into the CLI and disable any encryption services that are currently running on the chassis. See note below.

•	Run the hybrid-mode force command. (config->hybrid-mode force)

•	Save the configuration as described in the System Administration Guide.

•	Reboot the chassis by running the reload command.

•	Install the PSCAs in the chassis. They will boot in compatibility mode with card state = standby.

•	Bring each PSCA into service by running configure -> card <slot> mode active.

Important: The CLI commands required to enable, disable or configure encryption services vary based on the product and feature licenses running on the chassis. See the Product Overview, System Administration Guide and Command Line Interface Reference for additional information.

Non-Hybrid Mode

To go from hybrid mode to non-hybrid mode, you enter the no hybrid-mode command. Non-hybrid chassis mode allows encryption services to be started through the appropriate CLI commands. However, all PSCAs in the chassis will be disabled (powered off, Red LED illuminated).

The force option always updates the configuration. All PSCAs will be disabled and the system will be ready for the configuration of encryption services that will run on the PSCs.

The configuration sequence for forced disabling of hybrid mode operation is:

[local]asr5000# config

[local]asr5000(config)# no hybrid-mode force

 

 

Cisco Systems Inc.

Tel: 408-526-4000

Fax: 408-527-0883