M7i PICs Description

PICs physically connect the router to network media. PICs receive incoming packets from the network and transmit outgoing packets to the network, performing framing and line-speed signaling for their media type as required. PICs also encapsulate outgoing packets received from the Compact Forwarding Engine Board (CFEB) or Enhanced CFEB (CFEB-E) before transmitting them. The controller ASIC on each PIC performs additional control functions specific to the PIC media type.

The router supports various PICs, including ATM, Channelized, Gigabit Ethernet, Services, and SONET/SDH interfaces. You can install PICs of different media types on the same router as long as the router supports those PICs.

Blank PICs resemble other PICs but do not provide any physical connection or activity. When a slot is not occupied by a PIC, you must insert a blank PIC to fill the empty slot and ensure proper cooling of the system.

Four PIC slots are located in one Flexible PIC Concentrator (FPC), FPC0, which is built in to the chassis. The PIC slots are numbered from 0 (zero) through 3, right to left. The number of ports on a PIC depends on the type of PIC.

The M7i router has a maximum throughput of 3.2 Gbps full duplex for the FPC with 4 PIC slots. Inserting a combination of PICs with an aggregate higher than the maximum throughput is supported, but constitutes oversubscription of the FPC. The fixed interface card (FIC) has a maximum throughput of 1 Gbps full duplex.

PICs are hot-removable and hot-insertable.

Most PICs supported on the M7i router have the following components.

• One or more cable connector ports—Accept a network media connector.
• LEDs—Indicate PIC and port status. Most PICs have an LED labeled STATUS on the PIC faceplate. Some PICs have additional LEDs, often one per port. The meaning of the LED states differs for various PICs.
• Ejector lever—Controls the locking system that secures the PIC in the card cage.