Chapter 1 Cisco 7200 VXR Product Overview

Physical Description

The Cisco 7200 VXR routers support the high-speed network processing engine, NPE-G2, and all other available network processing engines. The NPE-G2 provides high-speed performance with the Motorola Freescale 7448 1.67-GHz processor and supports three Gigabit Ethernet interfaces with no additional bandwidth requirements. The NPE-G2 also provides a dedicated Fast Ethernet Management port and two USB ports for data storage and security tokens.

The Cisco 7200 VXR routers also support high-speed network processing engines (NPEs) to provide increased routing and process switching performance.

The Cisco 7200 VXR routers with the NPE-G2, NPE-G1, NPE-400, and NSE-1 installed support both 25-MHz and 50-MHz port adapter operation.

Note For port adapter configuration information, refer to the Cisco 7200 Series Port Adapter Hardware Configuration Guidelines publication.

The Cisco 7200 VXR routers accommodate a variety of network interface port adapters and I/O controllers. Because both the NPE-G1 and NPE-G2 contain I/O controller functionality, they can be used without an I/O controller installed. The NPE-G2 and NPE-G1 provide a third PCI bus, which enables the Port Adapter Jacket Card to be installed in the I/O controller slot to allow usage of an additional high-bandwidth-usage port adapter.

ACisco 7200 VXR router equipped with an NSE-1 or NPE-400 can support up to six high-speed port adapters and can also support higher-speed port adapter interfaces including Gigabit Ethernet and OC-12 ATM. The Cisco 7200 VXR routers also contain bays for up to two AC-input or DC-input power supplies.

The port adapters, I/O controller, and power supplies are the same for all Cisco 7200 VXR routers and are described in the “Field-Replaceable Units” section on page 1-10. The network processing engines and network services engine are router model specific.

The Cisco 7200 VXR routers support the following features:

Online insertion and removal (OIR)—Allows you to add, replace, or remove port adapters without interrupting the system.

Note The Port Adapter Jacket Card does not support OIR. However, the port adapter installed in the Port Adapter Jacket Card does support OIR.

Dual hot-swappable, load-sharing power supplies—Provide system power redundancy; if one power supply or power source fails, the other power supply maintains system power without interruption. Also, when one power supply is powered off and removed from the router, the second power supply immediately takes over the router’s power requirements without interrupting normal operation of the router.

Environmental monitoring and reporting functions—Allow you to maintain normal system operation by resolving adverse environmental conditions prior to loss of operation.

Downloadable software—Allows you to load new images into flash memory remotely, without having to physically access the router, for fast, reliable upgrades.

Cisco 7200 VXR Installation and Configuration Guide

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Cisco Systems manual Cisco 7200 VXR Product Overview Physical Description

7200 VXR specifications

The Cisco Systems 7200 VXR Series is a robust and highly scalable modular router designed to meet the demands of service providers and enterprises seeking high-performance solutions for their network infrastructures. Launched as part of the Cisco 7200 series, the VXR (Virtual Extensible Routing) variant enhances capabilities while providing effective support for a wide range of applications, including Internet Protocol (IP) routing, Voice over IP (VoIP), and Virtual Private Network (VPN) configurations.

At the core of the 7200 VXR is its modular design, which enables network administrators to customize the router according to their specific needs. The router supports a variety of interface cards, processing engines, and power supply options, ensuring flexibility for diverse network environments. This modularity facilitates easy upgrades and expansions, making it ideal for growing enterprises and service providers looking to future-proof their networks.

One of the standout features of the Cisco 7200 VXR is its impressive routing performance. It can handle a high level of traffic with low latency, which is critical for bandwidth-intensive applications. The router supports a wide array of routing protocols, including Border Gateway Protocol (BGP), Open Shortest Path First (OSPF), and Integrated Intermediate System-to-Intermediate System (IS-IS), providing versatility for various network topologies.

The 7200 VXR also incorporates advanced features for enhanced security and reliability. With support for IPsec VPNs, it enables secure data transmission across untrusted networks. The router also includes features like Quality of Service (QoS) for prioritizing network traffic, ensuring critical applications receive the bandwidth they require even during peak loads.

In terms of scalability, the Cisco 7200 VXR can support hundreds of thousands of routes and MAC addresses, making it suitable for large metropolitan area networks (MANs) as well as enterprise backbone applications. It also provides the capability to support IPv4 and IPv6 networks, preparing organizations for a transition to next-generation internet protocols.

Additional characteristics of the Cisco 7200 VXR include enhanced manageability through the Cisco IOS software, which offers a comprehensive command-line interface and support for network management protocols. The router is also energy-efficient, with options for redundant power supplies that ensure continuous availability and minimal downtime in mission-critical applications.

Overall, the Cisco Systems 7200 VXR represents a powerful solution that combines performance, scalability, and security, making it an excellent choice for organizations looking to enhance their network capabilities in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.