Product Overview

This chapter provides an overview of the hardware components that can be installed in the ATM and Layer 3 systems and includes the following sections:

• Route Processors
  
  
• Switch Processors
  
  
• Slot Assignments
  
  
• Port Adapters and Interface Modules
  
  
• Supported Modules
  
  

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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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The modules described in this guide are supported by the ATM and Layer 3 systems listed in Table 1-1.

Note   Additional port adapters are available for the Catalyst 5500. Refer to the Catalyst 5500 hardware documentation for information about these port adapters.

Route Processors

The route processor contains most of the system memory components and the main system processor, which includes the network management processor for the system software. The route processor maintains and executes the management functions that control the chassis. (See Figure 1-1 and Figure 1-2.)

The Catalyst 8540 chassis supports fault tolerance by allowing a secondary (or redundant) route processor to take over if the primary route processor fails. See Table 1-2 for route processor slot assignments.

Figure 1-1: Catalyst 8540 Route Processor

Figure 1-2: Catalyst 8510, LightStream 1010, and Catalyst 5500 Route Processor

Switch Processors

Switch processors contain the Fast Ethernet Layer 2 and Layer 3 switching engine. (See Figure 1-3.) See Table 1-2 for switch processor slot assignments.

Figure 1-3: Catalyst 8540 Switch Processor

Slot Assignments

Table 1-2 lists the reserved slots for the switch router components.

Port Adapters and Interface Modules

Port adapters and interface modules provide ports for connections to network services. You can install up to two half-width port adapters onto one carrier module, which can then be installed in one slot of the Catalyst 8500 MSR, LightStream 1010, and Catalyst 5500 systems. These carrier modules are not interchangeable with the other systems. Interface modules are full-width and occupy the entire slot in the switch router. (See Figure 1-4.)

Figure 1-4: Port Adapter, Carrier Module, and Interface Module

Each port on the port adapters and interface modules have receive and transmit LEDs that provide port status and operation information status. Link LEDs on each port give visual indications of port status and operation. Comprehensive statistics gathering and alarm monitoring capabilities are available for all connections.

Note   The switch router powers up automatically. All configuration information for port adapters and interface modules is saved between hot swaps and switch reboots, while interface types are discovered automatically by the switch.

Supported Modules

Table 1-3 shows system support for the ATM and Layer 3 modules.

Figure 1-5 shows the slot assignments for the Catalyst 8540 chassis.

Figure 1-5: Catalyst 8540 Slot Assignments

Figure 1-6 shows the slot assignments for the Catalyst 8510 and LightStream 1010 chassis.

Figure 1-6: Catalyst 8510 and LightStream 1010 Slot Assignments