Route Processor Overview
The route processor (RP) card is the system controller for the Cisco CRS Carrier Routing System. It performs route processing and distributes forwarding tables to the MSCs. The RP provides a control path to each MSC, performs system-monitoring functions, and contains hard disks for system and error logging.
Although the routing system contains two RP cards, only one RP is active at a time. The other RP operates in standby mode, ready to assume control if the active RP fails. See #con_1078491 for information on how the system determines which RP is active and which is standby.
The RP card provides route processing, alarm, fan and power supply controller function in the Cisco CRS Carrier Routing System. The RP card controls fans, alarms, and power supplies through the use of an i2c communication link from the RP card to each fan tray/power supply.
Two RP cards are required per chassis for redundancy—one is active , and the other is standby . An RP card can be inserted in either of the two dedicated slots in the chassis.
#con_1091057__fig_1079932 illustrates the route processor card.
Details on the faceplate of the RP card are shown in #con_1091057__fig_1099349 and are described in #con_1091057__tab_1082731.
The Cisco IOS XR Getting Started Guide, available online at http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps5763/prod_technical_documentation.html
RP Card Component |
Description |
---|---|
Hard drive |
An IDE hard drive is used to gather debugging information, such as core dumps from the RP or MSCs. It is typically powered down and activated only when there is a need to store data. |
Memory |
Memory resides in a SIMM module on the RP card. The RP can be configured with 2 or 4 GB of memory. |
PCMCIA Subsystems |
Two PCMCIA flash slots provide support for 2Gb and 4Gb of flash subsystem storage, each. One of the PCMCIA flash subsystems is accessible externally and removable, and allows you to transfer images and configurations by plugging in a PCMCIA flash card. The other PCMCIA flash subsystem is fixed to the RP, for permanent storage of configurations and images. |
Dual-processing CPU |
A dual-processing CPU symmetric multiprocessor (SMP) performs route processing. The CPU also serves as the MSC service processor (SP), and monitors the RP temperature, voltages, power supply margining (during factory test), and ID EEPROM. |
SFP modules |
Two small form-factor pluggable (SFP) modules support external Gigabit Ethernet connections for multi-chassis systems. |
RJ45 Ethernet port |
An RJ45 10/100/1000 copper Ethernet port is available for providing connectivity to network management systems. |
Fast Ethernet Midplane Connector |
Internal 100 Mbps Fast Ethernet (FE) midplane connections connect each MSC in the chassis to both RP cards. These FE connections are traces in the midplane. There are also FE connections to the fans power supplies. These connections all form part of the control plane. |