T320 FPC Description
Up to eight Flexible PIC Concentrators (FPCs) install vertically in the front of the T320 Core router (see Figure 1). The FPC slots are numbered left to right from FPC0 to FPC7. Each FPC has two connectors into which a PIC can be installed, allowing up to two PICs per FPC. An FPC can be installed into any FPC slot on the routing node, regardless of which PICs it contains.
If a slot is not occupied by an FPC, an FPC blank panel must be installed to shield the empty slot and to allow cooling air to circulate properly through the router.
Each FPC contains one Packet Forwarding Engine. The Packet Forwarding Engine receives incoming packets from the PICs installed on the FPC and forwards them through the switch planes to the appropriate destination port. Each FPC contains data memory that is managed by the Queuing and Memory Interface ASICs.
FPCs are hot-removable and hot-insertable, as described in T320 Router FRU Overview. When you remove or install an FPC, packet forwarding is not interrupted. When you install an FPC into a functioning router, the Routing Engine downloads the FPC software, the FPC runs its diagnostics, and the PICs housed on the FPC are enabled. Forwarding continues uninterrupted during this process. For FPC replacement instructions, see Replacing a T320 FPC.
Figure 1: FPC Installed in T320 Router Chassis






