Chapter 1 Cisco 7200 VXR Product Overview

Functional Overview

The following example shows the display for the first port on the Fast Ethernet port adapter in port adapter slot 3:

Router# show interface fastethernet 5/0

FastEthernet5/0 is up, line protocol is up

Hardware is DEC21140, address is 0000.000.0000 (bia 0000.0000.0000) Internet address is 0.0.0.0

MTU 1500 bytes, BW 100000 Kbit, DLY 100 usec, reliability 255/255, txload 1/255, rxload 1/255

Encapsulation ARPA, loopback not set Keepalive not set

Full-duplex, 100Mb/s, 100BaseTX/FX ARP type:ARPA, ARP Timeout 04:00:00

(display text omitted)

For complete descriptions and instructions of the commands used to configure your Cisco 7200 VXR router, refer to the Configuration Fundamentals Configuration Guide and Configuration Fundamentals Command Reference publications, which are available on Cisco.com or the Documentation DVD.

MAC Address

All LAN interfaces (ports) require unique MAC addresses, also known as hardware addresses. Typically, the MAC address of an interface is stored on a memory component that resides directly on the interface circuitry; however, the OIR feature requires a different method. (For a description of OIR, see the “Online Insertion and Removal” section on page 1-57 .)

Using OIR you can remove a port adapter and replace it with another identically configured one. If the new port adapter matches the port adapter you removed, the system immediately brings it online. In order to enable OIR, an address allocator with unique MAC addresses is stored in an EPROM on the router midplane. Each address is reserved for a specific port and slot in the router regardless of whether a port adapter resides in that slot. The MAC addresses are assigned to the slots in sequence. The first address is assigned to slot 0, and the last address is assigned to slot 4 in the Cisco 7204VXR or to slot 6 in the Cisco 7206VXR. Using this address scheme, you can remove port adapters and insert them into other routers without causing the MAC addresses to move around the network or be assigned to multiple devices.

Note that if the MAC addresses were stored on each port adapter, OIR would not function because you could never replace one port adapter with an identical one; the MAC addresses would always be different. Also, each time a port adapter was replaced, other devices on the network would have to update their data structures with the new address. If the other devices did not update quickly enough, the same MAC address could appear in more than one device at the same time.

Note Storing the MAC addresses for every slot in one central location means the addresses stay with the memory device on which they are stored.

Online Insertion and Removal

All port adapters and service adapters in the Cisco 7200 VXR routers support online insertion and removal (OIR). However, it is wise to shut down the interface before removing a port adapter that has active traffic moving through it. Removing a port adapter while traffic is flowing through the ports can cause system disruption. Once the port adapter is inserted, the ports can be brought back up.

Cisco 7200 VXR Installation and Configuration Guide

 

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Cisco Systems 7200 VXR manual MAC Address, Online Insertion and Removal
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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.
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