Preparing for Installation

This chapter describes the general equipment, safety, and site preparation requirements for installing the VPN Acceleration Module 2+ (SA-VAM2+). This chapter includes the following sections:

•Required Tools and Equipment

•Hardware and Software Requirements

•Restrictions

•Safety Guidelines

•Compliance with U.S. Export Laws and Regulations Regarding Encryption

Required Tools and Equipment

You need the following tools and parts to install a SA-VAM2+. If you need additional equipment, contact a service representative for ordering information.

•SA-VAM2+

•Number 2 Phillips screwdriver

•Your own electrostatic discharge (ESD)-prevention equipment or the disposable grounding wrist strap included with all upgrade kits, field-replaceable units (FRUs), and spares

•Antistatic mat

•Antistatic container

•Grounding wrist strap

•(Optional) Port Adapter Jacket Card for installation of a port adapter in the I/O controller slot of Cisco 7200VXR routers with an NPE-G1 or NPE-G2 processor

Hardware and Software Requirements

This section describes the minimum software and hardware requirements for the SA-VAM2+:

•Software Requirements

•Hardware Requirements

•Restrictions

Software Requirements

Table 2-1 lists the recommended minimum Cisco IOS software release required to use the SA-VAM2+ in supported router or switch platforms. Use the show version command to display the system software version that is currently loaded and running.

Table 2-1 SA-VAM2+ Software Requirements 

Platform
Recommended Minimum Cisco IOS Release 1

Cisco 7200VXR router

Cisco IOS Release 12.3(12a)M or a later release of Cisco IOS Release 12.3M

Cisco IOS Release 12.3(11)T3 or later release of 12.3T2 3

Cisco 7200VXR router with the NPE-G2 processor

Cisco IOS Release 12.4(4)XD1 or later release of 12.4(4)XD13

Cisco 7301 router

Cisco IOS Release 12.3(12a)M or a later release of Cisco IOS Release 12.3M

Cisco IOS Release 12.3(11)T3 or later release of 12.3T3

(Optional) Cisco 7200VXR Router with the Port Adapter Jacket Card

Cisco IOS Release 12.4(6)T or later release of Cisco IOS Release 12.4T

Cisco IOS Release 12.4(7) or later release of Cisco IOS Release 12.4M

Cisco IOS Release 12.4(4)XD1 or later release of Cisco IOS Release 12.4(4)XD1

Note The Port Adapter Jacket Card supported on the Cisco 7200VXR router with the NPE-G1 is available on Cisco IOS Release 12.4(6)T and 12.4(7) or later.

The Port Adapter Jacket Card supported on the Cisco 7200VXR router with the NPE-G2 is available on Cisco IOS Release 12.4(4)XD or later.

1 The Cisco IOS Release 12.2(14)SU is no longer available for sale.

2 SA-VAM2+ is not supported in 15.2S and 12.2SR images.

3 The Cisco 7200VXR router with the NPE-G2 processor is only available with Cisco IOS Release 12.4(4)XD.


To check the minimum software requirements of Cisco IOS software with the hardware installed on your router, Cisco maintains the Software Advisor tool on Cisco.com. Registered Cisco Direct users can access the Software Advisor at: http://www.cisco.com/cgi-bin/Support/CompNav/Index.pl. This tool does not verify whether modules within a system are compatible, but it does provide the minimum Cisco IOS software requirements for individual hardware modules or components.

Note Access to this tool is limited to users with Cisco.com login accounts.

Hardware Requirements

Specific hardware prerequisites that ensure proper operation of the SA-VAM2+ follow:

•The SA-VAM2+ is compatible with the NPE-225, NPE-400, NPE-G1 or NPE-G2 processor on the Cisco 7200VXR routers. For more efficient performance, we recommend 512 MB of memory.

•For routers using SA-VAM2+, we recommend a minimum configuration of 256 MB of memory; for more efficient performance, we recommend 512 MB of memory.

•The SA-VAM2+ utilizes a specific number of bandwidth points in functioning, which affect performance. For more information on bandwidth requirements, see the Cisco 7200 Series Port Adapter Hardware Configuration Guidelines.

Restrictions

The SA-VAM2+ has the following restrictions:

•SA-VAM2+ does not interoperate with other crypto cards, such as ISA, VAM, or VAM2, in a single Cisco 7204VXR or Cisco 7206VXR.

•The Cisco 7301 router only supports a single port adapter.

•Dual SA-VAM2+ cards are only supported on the Cisco 7200VXR routers with the NPE-G1 or NPE-G2 processor.

•(Optional) SA-VAM2+ is only supported in a Port Adapter Jacket Card on Cisco 7200VXR routers with an NPE-G1 or NPE-G2 processor. See the Port Adapter Jacket Card Installation Guide for more information about the Port Adapter Jacket Card.

The Port Adapter Jacket Card supported on the Cisco 7200VXR router with the NPE-G1 is available on Cisco IOS Release 12.4(6)T and 12.4(7) or later.

The Port Adapter Jacket Card supported on the Cisco 7200VXR router with the NPE-G2 is available on Cisco IOS Release 12.4 (XD) or later.

Safety Guidelines

This section provides safety guidelines that you should follow when working with any equipment that connects to electrical power or telephone wiring. This section includes the following topics:

•Safety Warnings and Guidelines

•Electrical Equipment Guidelines

•Preventing Electrostatic Discharge Damage

Safety Warnings and Guidelines

Safety warnings appear throughout this publication in procedures that, if performed incorrectly, might harm you. A warning symbol precedes each warning statement.

Warning Only trained and qualified personnel should be allowed to install, replace, or service this equipment.

Ultimate disposal of this product should be handled according to all national laws and regulations.

Hazardous voltage or energy is present on the backplane when the system is operating. Use caution when servicing.
Warning Blank faceplates and cover panels serve three important functions: they prevent exposure to hazardous voltages and currents inside the chassis; they contain electromagnetic interference (EMI) that might disrupt other equipment; and they direct the flow of cooling air through the chassis. Do not operate the system unless all cards, faceplates, front covers, and rear covers are in place.

Electrical Equipment Guidelines

Follow these basic guidelines when working with any electrical equipment:

•Before beginning any procedures requiring access to the chassis interior, locate the emergency power-off switch for the room in which you are working.

•Disconnect all power and external cables before moving a chassis; do not work alone when potentially hazardous conditions exist.

•Never assume that power has been disconnected from a circuit; always check.

•Do not perform any action that creates a potential hazard to people or makes the equipment unsafe; carefully examine your work area for possible hazards such as moist floors, ungrounded power extension cables, and missing safety grounds.

Preventing Electrostatic Discharge Damage

Electrostatic discharge (ESD) damage, which can occur when electronic cards or components are improperly handled, results in complete or intermittent failures. Port adapters and processor modules comprise printed circuit boards that are fixed in metal carriers. Electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding and connectors are integral components of the carrier. Although the metal carrier helps to protect the board from ESD, use a preventive antistatic strap during handling.

Following are guidelines for preventing ESD damage:

•Always use an ESD wrist or ankle strap and ensure that it makes good skin contact.

•Connect the equipment end of the strap to an unfinished chassis surface.

•When installing a component, use any available ejector levers or captive installation screws to properly seat the bus connectors in the backplane or midplane. These devices prevent accidental removal, provide proper grounding for the system, and help to ensure that bus connectors are properly seated.

•When removing a component, use any available ejector levers or captive installation screws to release the bus connectors from the backplane or midplane.

•Handle carriers by available handles or edges only; avoid touching the printed circuit boards or connectors.

•Place a removed board component-side-up on an antistatic surface or in a static shielding container. If you plan to return the component to the factory, immediately place it in a static shielding container.

•Avoid contact between the printed circuit boards and clothing. The wrist strap only protects components from ESD voltages on the body; ESD voltages on clothing can still cause damage.

•Never attempt to remove the printed circuit board from the metal carrier.

•For safety, periodically check the resistance value of the antistatic strap. The measurement should be between 1 and 10 Mohm.

Compliance with U.S. Export Laws and Regulations Regarding Encryption

This product performs encryption and is regulated for export by the U.S. government. Persons exporting any item out of the United States by either physical or electronic means must comply with the Export Administration Regulations as administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Export Administration. See http://www.bxa.doc.gov/ for more information.

Certain "strong" encryption items can be exported outside the United States depending upon the destination, end user, and end use. See http://www.cisco.com/wwl/export/encrypt.html for more information about Cisco-eligible products, destinations, end users, and end uses.

Check local country laws prior to export to determine import and usage requirements as necessary. See http://cwis.kub.nl/~frw/people/koops/lawsurvy.htm as one possible, unofficial source of international encryption laws.