Chapter

Core Module Overview

The major function of the BNM is to provide a T3 or E3 ATM interface to a BNI or BXM-T3/E3 card in a Cisco BPX 8600 series node. The BNM also provides the following miscellaneous functions:

Shelf mastership

Selects which core card to use as the master and which redundant bus to use.

Cell bus mastership

BNM polls the other cards on the bus and grants permission to transmit cells across the bus. Polling is performed on a round-robin basis.

Clock selection

BNM manages the clock selection and synchronization for the entire Cisco MGX 8220 shelf. The BNM selects, regulates, and outputs the selected clock for use by each service module in the shelf. The BNM back card contains a T1/E1 port for inputting an external T1/E1 clock source. Two versions of the line module are available. Version T3E3-B has a BNC external clock connector used with E1 clock timing input. Version T3E3-D has a DB-15 external clock connector used with T1 or E1 clock timing input. The shelf can also obtain clock from the DS3 or E3 trunk itself or use an internal clock source.

External alarm interface

BNM provides the activation of four alarm relays, which are wired to a DB-15 connector on the back card faceplate allowing the customer to wire their own cable from the connector to an indicator panel. The four relays are Major Alarm Audible, Major Alarm Visual, Minor Alarm Audible, and Minor Alarm Visual. The pinouts for this connector are provided in Appendix B, “Specifications.”

Miscellaneous monitoring functions

Fan performance in the cooling assembly

Input voltage levels

Shelf intake air temperature

In-band management

BNM provides a separate path for management of the Cisco MGX 8220 using an ATM VCC from across the ATM network.

ATM Trunk Interface

The BNM card accepts and transmits ATM cells over a T3 or E3 line interfaces at 44.736 Mbps or 34.368 Mbps respectively, using Cisco StrataCom Trunk Interface (STI) protocol asynchronously.

Framing occurs on the card using C-bit parity. An 8-kHz clock is extracted from the received signal and can be used to synchronize the entire Cisco MGX 8220 system.

The physical T3 or E3 ATM interface to the BNM is achieved using the BNM back card. This physical connection is made with BNC connectors. There are also relays on the back card. These relays provide the continuity or discontinuity between the internal circuitry and the external BNC connectors for the transmit and receive lines.

These relays are also used as a mechanical loopback for the T3 or E3 bit stream.

The Cisco MGX 8220 shelf implements the ATM STI cell format by using slot/channel numbers in the VPI/VCI fields in the cell format used between the BNM and the Cisco BPX 8600 series BNI port. The cell format is shown in Figure 2-14and Figure 2-15.The format on the left is the general STI format, the format on the right is the Cisco MGX 8220 implementation.

 

Cisco MGX 8220 Installation and Configuration

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Release 5.0, Part Number 78-6430-03 Rev. D0, November 2003

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Cisco Systems MGX 8220 manual ATM Trunk Interface

MGX 8220 specifications

The Cisco Systems MGX 8220 is a versatile, high-performance media gateway that has become an integral component in the telecommunications infrastructure. Designed to facilitate the transition from traditional circuit-switched networks to advanced packet-switched environments, the MGX 8220 supports a wide array of voice, video, and data services, making it an essential tool for service providers and enterprises seeking to enhance their network capabilities.

One of the key features of the MGX 8220 is its robust signaling and media processing capabilities. Equipped with support for both Voice over IP (VoIP) and traditional telephony protocols, this gateway enables seamless integration of different communication formats. It boasts a modular architecture, which allows for the addition or removal of various line cards to meet changing demands and technology advancements. This modularity provides operators with the flexibility to scale their services without significant overhauls to their existing infrastructure.

The MGX 8220 is capable of delivering high-density media handling for a multitude of services. With its support for ATM and IP networks, the gateway can handle TDM (Time-Division Multiplexing) to packet voice conversions efficiently. It is designed to optimize network resources by dynamically allocating bandwidth based on traffic requirements, thus ensuring efficient use of network resources and improved performance.

Another significant characteristic of the MGX 8220 is its enhanced quality of service (QoS) features. This capability ensures that voice and video traffic is prioritized appropriately, minimizing latency and jitter while maximizing overall call quality. By employing sophisticated traffic management techniques, the MGX 8220 can deliver a superior user experience, which is critical for any service provider aiming to offer competitive communication solutions.

Furthermore, the gateway includes built-in security features to protect against unauthorized access and ensure the integrity of sensitive data. This includes encryption for voice and video transmission, as well as support for secure signaling protocols.

Overall, the Cisco Systems MGX 8220 stands out as a comprehensive media gateway solution, providing essential functionalities for modern communication needs. Its combination of modularity, high-density processing, effective QoS management, and security features makes it a compelling choice for organizations looking to modernize their telecommunications infrastructure while ensuring reliability and performance. As businesses continue to evolve and demand more from their networks, the MGX 8220 offers a pathway to future-ready communications.