DS3 and E3 Port Adapters

This chapter describes the DS3 and E3 port adapters that are supported in the following ATM systems:

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

This chapter includes the following sections:

• About DS3 and E3 Port Adapters
  
  
• Cabling DS3 and E3 Port Adapters
  
  

About DS3 and E3 Port Adapters

The DS3 and E3 port adapters are used for wide-area connectivity, to link multiple campuses, or to connect to public networks. The DS3 and E3 port adapters support standard BNC coaxial cable connectors.

Interface Ports Supported

The ATM switch router supports any port adapter combination required. Table 14-1 identifies the maximum number of DS3 or E3 interface ports supported in each system.

Figure 14-1 shows a DS3 port adapter with BNC connectors.

Figure 14-1: DS3 Port Adapter with BNC Connectors

ATM Connections Supported

The DS3 and E3 port adapters can provide intercampus and enterprise WAN connections. (See Figure 14-2 .)

Figure 14-2: DS3 Port Adapter ATM Intercampus and WAN Connections

The DS3 can also be used to link a router at a customer site to a central office. (See Figure 14-3.)

Figure 14-3: DS3 Port Adapter ATM Customer-Site-to-Central-Office Connection

In addition, the DS3 can link an ATM switch router at a customer site to a central office by way of a virtual path tunnel, as shown in Figure 14-4.

Figure 14-4: DS3 Port Adapter ATM with Virtual Path Tunnel Connection

Note   Include the FC-3 in the configuration if your connections include a virtual path tunnel.

JATE Approval

The DS3 port adapter meets the Japan Approvals Institute for Telecommunications Equipment (JATE) approval. See Table 14-2 for JATE approval details for the DS3 port adapter.

Cabling DS3 and E3 Port Adapters

This section describes supported cabling configurations for the DS3 and E3 port adapters.

Note   All ATM interfaces are full duplex. You must use the appropriate ATM interface cable to connect the ATM DS3 or E3 port adapter interface with an external ATM network.

DS3 and E3 Port Adapter Supported Interfaces

The DS3 and E3 port adapters provide an interface to ATM switching fabrics for transmitting and receiving data at up to 45 Mbps (DS3) or 34 Mbps (E3) bidirectionally. The ATM port adapter can support interfaces that connect to the following physical layers:

• DS3 45-Mbps coaxial cable
  
  
• E3 34-Mbps coaxial cable
  
  

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Note   See the "E1, CES E1, DS3, E3, and CDS3 Connections" section for descriptions of ATM cabling requirements.

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DS3 and E3 Port Adapter Connectors

To connect the DS3 port adapter and E3 port adapter to an external ATM network, use a 75-ohm RG-59 coaxial cable with bayonet-style twist-lock (BNC) connectors. (See Figure 14-5.)

Caution   Connect the DS3 and E3 ports to a network termination unit (NTU). NTU devices should comply with UL 1950, CSA 950, EN 60950, and IEC 950 standards.

Note   See the "E1, CES E1, DS3, E3, and CDS3 Connections" section for a description of these connectors.

Figure 14-5: DS3 and E3 Coaxial Connections and LEDs

DS3 and E3 Port Adapter LEDs

The LEDs provide status information for the individual DS3 and E3 interface connections. The LEDs are shown in Figure 14-5 and described in Table 14-3.