When you remove an FPC, the router continues to function, although the PIC interfaces installed on the FPC being removed no longer function.
An FPC takes up two DPC slots on the MX480 router. Up to three FPCs can be installed horizontally in the front of the MX480 router. The FPCs are hot-insertable and hot-removable. An empty FPC3 weighs 14 lb (6.5 kg). A fully configured FPC can weigh up to 18 lb (8.2 kg). Be prepared to accept its full weight.
To remove an FPC (see Figure 1):
user@host>request chassis fpc slot slot-number offlineFor more information about the command, see the Junos OS System Basics and Services Command Reference
.
![]() | Note: The slot number corresponds to the lowest numbered slot for which the FPC is installed. |
![]() | Warning: Do not look directly into a fiber-optic transceiver or into the ends of fiber-optic cables. Fiber-optic transceivers and fiber-optic cable connected to a transceiver emit laser light that can damage your eyes. |
![]() | Caution: Do not let fiber-optic cable hang free from the connector. Do not allow fastened loops of cable to dangle, which stresses the cable at the fastening point. |
![]() | Caution: Avoid bending fiber-optic cable beyond its minimum bend radius. An arc smaller than a few inches in diameter can damage the cable and cause problems that are difficult to diagnose. |
![]() | Caution: The weight of the FPC is concentrated in the back end. Be prepared to accept the full weight—up to 18 lb (8.2 kg)—as you slide the FPC out of the chassis. When the FPC is out of the chassis, do not hold it by the ejector handles, bus bars, or edge connectors. They cannot support its weight. Do not stack FPCs on top of one another after removal. Place each one individually in an electrostatic bag or on its own antistatic mat on a flat, stable surface. |
![]() | Caution: After removing an FPC from the chassis, wait at least 30 seconds before reinserting it or inserting an FPC into a different slot. |
Figure 1: Removing an FPC

An FPC takes up two DPC slots on the MX480 router. Up to three FPCs can be installed horizontally in the front of the router. The FPCs are hot-insertable and hot-removable. An empty FPC3 weighs 14 lb (6.5 kg). A fully configured FPC can weigh up to 18 lb (8.2 kg). Be prepared to accept its full weight.
To install an FPC (see Figure 2):
![]() | Caution: When the FPC is out of the chassis, do not hold it by the ejector handles, bus bars, or edge connectors. They cannot support its weight. |
![]() | Warning: Do not look directly into a fiber-optic transceiver or into the ends of fiber-optic cables. Fiber-optic transceivers and fiber-optic cable connected to a transceiver emit laser light that can damage your eyes. |
![]() | Caution: Do not let fiber-optic cable hang free from the connector. Do not allow fastened loops of cable to dangle, which stresses the cable at the fastening point. |
![]() | Caution: Avoid bending fiber-optic cable beyond its minimum bend radius. An arc smaller than a few inches in diameter can damage the cable and cause problems that are difficult to diagnose. |
user@host>request chassis fpc slot slot-number onlineFor more information about the command, see the Junos OS System Basics and Services Command Reference
.
![]() | Caution: After the OK LED lights steadily, wait at least 30 seconds before removing the FPC again, removing an FPC from a different slot, or inserting an FPC in a different slot. |
You can also verify correct FPC and PIC functioning by issuing the show chassis fpc and show chassis fpc pic-status commands described in Maintaining MX480 FPCs and Maintaining MX480 PICs.
Figure 2: Installing an FPC
