Route Processors and Switch Processors

This chapter describes the route processors and switch processors used in the ATM and Layer 3 systems and includes the following sections:

• About Route Processors
  
  
• About Switch Processors
  
  

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Note   All information pertains to both the ATM and Layer 3 platforms, unless differences between the platforms or individual systems are noted in the text.

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About Route Processors

This section describes the route processors used in the following systems:

• Catalyst 8540 MSR
  
  
• Catalyst 8540 CSR
  
  
• Catalyst 8510 MSR
  
  
• Catalyst 8510 CSR
  
  
• LightStream 1010
  
  
• Catalyst 5500
  
  

The route processor features are described in the following sections:

• Management Ports
  
  
• Network Clock Module
  
  
• Flash PC Card Slots
  
  
• Reset Switch
  
  
• DRAM SIMMs
  
  
• Flash Memory SIMM
  
  
• LEDs
  
  
• Feature Card
  
  

Management Ports

The route processor includes one RJ-45 Ethernet port that you can use to connect a management workstation for SNMP management.

The auxiliary port (labeled AUX) is a male Electronics Industries Association/Telecommunications Industry Association (EIA/TIA)-232, data terminal equipment (DTE), DB-25 plug used for connection to a modem. (See Figure 3-1.)

The console port (labeled CONSOLE) is a female, EIA/TIA-232, data communications equipment (DCE), DB-25 receptacle used for connection to a console terminal or modem. (See Figure 3-1.)

Note   EIA/TIA-232 and EIA/TIA-449 were formerly known as recommended standard RS-232 and RS-449 before their acceptance as a standard by the Electronic Industries Association (EIA) and Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA).

Figure 3-1: Auxiliary and Console Ports

Note   The auxiliary port is not available on the Catalyst 8540 route processors.

Network Clock Module

The Catalyst 8540 MSR route processor provides simple multiplexers and controls to generate and distribute network clocks to all port adapters and interface modules. For a higher level of network clocking, an optional network clock module can be installed. (See Figure 3-2.)

Note   The network clock module is available only for the Catalyst 8540 MSR route processor.

Figure 3-2: Network Clock Module on the Catalyst 8540 MSR route processor

Refer to the ATM Switch Router Software Configuration Guide for information about network clocking and how to configure a network clock.

Flash PC Card Slots

You can store the system software and configuration information on Flash PC Cards. The route processors have two Flash PC Card slots that you can install up to two Type II Flash PC Cards. (See Figure 3-3.) You can also configure the system to boot from a software image stored on the Flash PC Card.

Figure 3-3: Flash PC Card Slots

Reset Switch

The reset switch is located on the left side of the route processor faceplate, through a small hole between two columns of LEDs. You can use the reset switch when a software-initiated reset is not possible.

DRAM SIMMs

There are two dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) single in-line memory modules (SIMMs) on the route processor to store incoming and outgoing packets, queues, and caches (32-MB default for the feature card per class queuing [FC-PCQ] or 64-MB default for the feature card per flow queuing [FC-PFQ]).

Flash Memory SIMM

Use the Flash memory SIMM to remotely load and store system software images. You can download a new software image over the network or from a local server, and add the new image to Flash memory or replace an existing image.

LEDs

The LEDs on the route processor indicate the status of the route processor, Flash PC Cards, and interface ports. The Catalyst 8540 LEDs are shown in Figure 3-4 and described in Table 3-1. The Catalyst 8510, LightStream 1010, and Catalyst 5500 switch router LEDs are shown in Figure 3-5 and described in Table 3-2.

Figure 3-4: Route Processor LEDs
(Catalyst 8540)

Figure 3-5: Route Processor LEDs (Catalyst 8510, LightStream 1010, and Catalyst 5500)

Feature Card

The feature card is a daughter card on the route processor that provides a number of value-added features in addition to the basic switch functionality. (See Figure 3-6.)

Note   Feature cards are not used on the Catalyst 8540 MSR and the Catalyst 8500 CSR route processors.

Figure 3-6: Feature Card for the Catalyst 8510 MSR, LightStream 1010, and Catalyst 5500

FC-PCQ and FC-PFQ

There are two types of feature cards: feature card per class queuing (FC-PCQ) and feature card per flow queuing (FC-PFQ). FC-PCQ provides a subset of the ATM Forum traffic management features provided by FC-PFQ, as described in Table 3-3.

Table 3-4 lists the route processor and feature card options supported by system type.

Note   To determine which feature card you have, enter the show hardware privileged EXEC command. FC-PFQ displays in the Ctrlr-Type column.

Maximum Switch Configuration

Table 3-5 lists the maximum switch configuration for the feature cards.

About Switch Processors

This section describes the switch processors used in the following systems:

• Catalyst 8540 MSR
  
  
• Catalyst 8540 CSR
  
  

The Catalyst 8540 CSR chassis supports fault tolerance by allowing a secondary switch processor to take over if either one of the primary switch processors fail. You must have two switch processors for proper operation. When three switch processors are installed, two are active at any one time, while the third runs in standby mode. By default, the switch processors in slots 5 and 7 are active and slot 6 is the standby. The module can be configured differently if needed. For configuration information, refer to your software configuration guide.

The LEDs on the switch processor indicate the status of the module. (See Figure 3-7.)

Figure 3-7: Switch Processor LEDs