Table Of Contents
FlexWAN Module for the Cisco 7600 Series Router
and the Cisco Catalyst 6500 Series SwitchLAN, WAN, and MAN Service Convergence
Scalable Bandwidth with Intelligent Network Services for Next-Generation Applications
Flexible LAN, WAN, and MAN Convergence
Cisco 7600 and Cisco Catalyst 6500 FlexWAN Module Ordering Information
Data Sheet
FlexWAN Module for the Cisco 7600 Series Router
and the Cisco Catalyst 6500 Series Switch
The FlexWAN module for the Cisco® 7600 Series Router and Cisco Catalyst® 6500 Series Switch enables high-performance, intelligent LAN, WAN, and metropolitan-area network (MAN) service scalability for both enterprises and service providers. The FlexWAN module supports a variety of clear-channel and Channelized WAN interfaces, including T1/E1, T3/E3, High-Speed Serial Interface (HSSI), T3/E3 ATM, OC-3 ATM, and OC-3 packet over SONET (POS) with the ability to directly interface with high-speed SONET equipment for metropolitan-area networking (refer to Figure 1).
Figure 1
FlexWAN Module for the Cisco 7600 and Cisco Catalyst 6500 Series
The FlexWAN module accepts up to two WAN port adapters commonly used with the Cisco 7200 and 7500 series routers, providing an easy migration path for existing WAN and MAN networks. The innovative architecture is designed to deliver flexible media and enable distributed intelligent network services for next-generation applications.
The ability to consolidate LAN, WAN, and MAN services onto the same platform lowers the total cost of ownership of the network through simplified design and ease of network management, maintenance, and training.
FlexWAN Features and Benefits
LAN, WAN, and MAN Service Convergence
The FlexWAN module for the Cisco 7600 and Cisco Catalyst 6500 series simplifies network design and deployment by allowing consolidation of LAN, WAN, and MAN interfaces into a single, highly scalable platform. The Cisco 7600 and Cisco Catalyst 6500 series deliver peerless flexibility, supporting any mix of media or traffic within a common system, software, and chassis, thereby easing and simplifying network configuration and installation tasks, and speeding service delivery. Converged data, voice, and video traffic can be transported transparently from end to end across an interconnected LAN, WAN, or MAN, using the ability of the Cisco 7600 and the Cisco Catalyst 6500 series to manage thousands of simultaneous traffic flows at wire speed with granular quality-of-service (QoS) and security control (refer to Figure 2).
Figure 2
Single-Platform LAN, WAN, and MAN Convergence—Cisco 7609, Cisco Catalyst 6509
A hallmark of the Cisco 7600 and the Cisco Catalyst 6500 series is the flexibility to support multiple applications on the same platform, delivering "no-compromise" convergence for a wide range of applications, including wiring closet, data center, metropolitan (metro), and WAN edge. The FlexWAN module provides the Cisco 7600 and Cisco Catalyst 6500 series the ability to connect a broad range of WANs and MANs, including those based on point-to-point circuits, Frame Relay, Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP), High-Level Data Link Control (HDLC), ATM, or POS. Platform Gigabit Ethernet support allows service extension all the way from the data center to the WAN edge. Higher-layer applications can easily be layered upon this fused, end-to-end network to allow intelligent data, voice, and video integration—all on the same platform to guarantee interoperable, easy-to-use application delivery and control.
Scalable Bandwidth with Intelligent Network Services for Next-Generation Applications
The unique value of application convergence on the Cisco 7600 and the Cisco Catalyst 6500 is proven by easy scalability across network boundaries with tightly coupled network services. The Cisco 7600 and Cisco Catalyst 6500 can scale from Ethernet to 10 Gigabit Ethernet in the LAN and DS0 to OC-48 POS in the WAN. Differentiated Services (DiffServ) and IP Precedence priority packet marking along with QoS classification, rate limiting, queuing, intelligent packet discard, and security access control on every port ensure that the platform will meet the demands of any network environment. In addition, the Cisco 7600 and Cisco Catalyst 6500 support several enhanced features required for low speed WAN aggregation such as compressed Real-Time Protocol (cRTP), and Distributed Link Fragmentation and Interleaving (LFI).
The FlexWAN module delivers extensive QoS and security policy propagation in a single platform by providing DiffServ for specific applications and users. To achieve this goal, the FlexWAN module supports the comprehensive set of intelligent network services shown in Table 1.
These features include the ability to guarantee bandwidth to business-critical applications; limit bandwidth to noncritical applications; drop selective, low-priority packets to avoid congestion; and mark packets to control QoS for any type of traffic flows.
Lower Cost of Ownership
A major benefit of LAN, WAN, and MAN consolidation on the Cisco 7600 and Cisco Catalyst 6500 series is the reduction in the number of platforms to deploy and manage in any given network. This service convergence not only simplifies network design and configuration, but it also decreases rack space and power requirements as well as the training and administrative burden associated with managing multiple different platforms. Additionally, such integration eases the support burden placed on a maintenance staff because spare parts for multiple platforms do not need to be stocked or managed.
The FlexWAN module also provides flexible investment protection for the large installed base of Cisco 7200 and Cisco 7500 series routers. These same WAN port adapters (refer to Table 2) can be installed on the Cisco 7600 and Cisco Catalyst 6500 series for immediate service delivery and scaling to much higher levels of system performance and bandwidth.
These benefits directly translate to reduced costs of ownership—reduced capital costs of procurement and reduced ongoing operational costs of network management, such as training, element management, and inventory and configuration management. In addition to requiring fewer platforms to manage, a converged Cisco solution provides management of all LAN, WAN, and MAN functions with the same network management tool set, easing the number of management platforms required.
WAN Port Adapter Support
Flexible LAN, WAN, and MAN Convergence
The FlexWAN module extends WAN and MAN connectivity options to the Cisco 7600 and Cisco Catalyst 6500 series with intelligent network services. Up to 12 FlexWAN modules are supported in a single chassis, with up to 2 Cisco 7200 or 7500 series WAN port adapters supported per FlexWAN module. Table 2 lists the Cisco 7200 and Cisco 7500 Series port adapters supported with the FlexWAN module.
The following port adapters are not supported in the FlexWAN module:
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Ordering Information
Cisco 7600 and Cisco Catalyst 6500 FlexWAN Module Ordering Information
Table 3 provides ordering information for the Cisco 7600 and Cisco Catalyst 6500 FlexWAN Module.
Minimum Software Release
Cisco IOS® Software Release 12.1(8)E
Technical Specifications
Physical Specifications
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Indicators
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Network Management
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NEBS
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ETSI
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Telecommunications
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Service and Support
Cisco offers numerous service and support offerings for both service provider and enterprise customers. Cisco has earned the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry by providing the world-class service and support necessary to deploy, operate, and optimize networks. Whether the goal is speed to market, maximizing network availability, or enhancing customer satisfaction and retention, Cisco is committed to the success of its customers.
For More Information
For more information about Cisco service and support programs and benefits, visit:
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/support/index.html
For more information about Cisco 7600 Series Routers visit:
http://www.cisco.com/go/7600
For more information about Cisco Catalyst 6500 Series Switches visit:
http://www.cisco.com/go/catalyst6500
For ordering information, visit:
http://www.cisco.com/public/ordering_info.shtml
