Chapter 1 Cisco 7200 VXR Product Overview

Functional Overview

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

Note As you disengage the port adapter from the router or switch, online insertion and removal (OIR) administratively shuts down all active interfaces in the port adapter.

OIR allows you to install and replace port adapters and service adapters while the router is operating; you do not need to notify the software or shut down the system power, although you should not run traffic through the port adapter you are removing while it is being removed. OIR is a method that is seamless to end users on the network, maintains all routing information, and preserves sessions.

The following is a functional description of OIR for background information only; for specific procedures for installing and replacing a port adapter or service adapter in a Cisco 7200 VXR router, refer to the online configuration note for each port adapter or service adapter.

Caution The network processing engine or network services engine and the I/O controller are required system components that cannot be removed if the router is operating. Removing the network processing engine or network services engine or the I/O controller while the router is operating causes the router to shut down or crash and might damage or destroy memory files.

Each port adapter or service adapter has a bus connector that connects it to the router midplane. Each midplane connector has a set of tiered pins in three lengths that send specific signals to the system as they make contact with the port adapter or service adapter. The system assesses the signals it receives and the order in which it receives them to determine if a port adapter or service adapter is being removed or inserted into the midplane. From these signals, the system determines whether to reinitialize a new interface or shut down a removed interface. For example, when you insert a port adapter or service adapter, the longest pins make contact with the port adapter or service adapter first, and the shortest pins make contact last. The system recognizes the signals and the sequence in which it receives them.

When you remove or insert a port adapter or service adapter in a Cisco 7200 VXR router, the midplane pins send signals to notify the system, which then performs as follows:

1.Rapidly scans the midplane for configuration changes.

2.Initializes all newly inserted port adapter or service adapters, noting any removed interfaces and placing them in the administratively shutdown state.

3.Brings all previously configured interfaces on the port adapter back to the state they were in when they were removed. Any newly inserted interfaces are put in the administratively shutdown state, as if they were present (but not configured) at boot time. If a similar port adapter type is reinserted into a slot, its ports are configured and brought online up to the port count of the original port adapter. (A service adapter has no configurable ports.)

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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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