MX480 Dense Port Concentrator (DPC) Description

A Dense Port Concentrator (DPC) is optimized for Ethernet density (see Figure 1). The DPC assembly combines packet forwarding and Ethernet interfaces on a single board, with either two or four 10-Gbps Packet Forwarding Engines. Each Packet Forwarding Engine consists of one I-chip for Layer 3 processing and one Layer 2 network processor. The DPCs interface with the power supplies and Switch Control Boards (SCBs).

The DPC slots are located in the front of the router (see Figure 1). The router has six dedicated DPC slots that are numbered 0 through 5. A DPC can be installed in any DPC slot on the router. You can install any combination of DPC types in the router. If a slot is not occupied by a DPC, a DPC blank panel must be installed to shield the empty slot and to allow cooling air to circulate properly through the router.

DPCs are hot-removable and hot-insertable, as described in MX480 Field-Replaceable Units (FRUs). When you install a DPC in an operating router, the Routing Engine downloads the DPC software, the DPC runs its diagnostics, and the Packet Forwarding Engines housed on the DPC are enabled. Forwarding on other DPCs continues uninterrupted during this process.

Figure 1 shows typical DPCs supported on the MX480 router. For more information about DPCs, see the MX Series 3D Universal Edge Routers Line Card Guide .

Figure 1: Typical DPCs Supported on the Router

Figure 2: DPC Installed Horizontally in the Router

DPC Components

• DPC cover, which functions as a ground plane and a stiffener.
• Fabric interfaces.
• Two Gigabit Ethernet interfaces that allow control information, route information, and statistics to be sent between the Routing Engine and the CPU on the DPCs.
• Two interfaces from the SCBs that enable the DPCs to be powered on and controlled.
• Physical DPC connectors.
• Two or four Packet Forwarding Engines.
• Midplane connectors and power circuitry.
• Processor subsystem, which includes a 1.2-GHz CPU, system controller, and 1 GB of SDRAM.
• Online button—Takes the DPC online or offline when pressed.
• LEDs on the DPC faceplate. For more information about LEDs on the DPC faceplate, see the MX Series 3D Universal Edge Routers Line Card Guide .

Two LEDs, located on the craft interface above the DPC, display the status of the DPC and are labeled OK and FAIL.