Line Modules and I/O Modules

A range of line modules and input/output (I/O) modules are available for the router. With the exception of the IPSec Service line module and Tunnel Service line module (TSM), each line module pairs with a corresponding I/O module.

I/O modules provide the input and output connections from the network to the router. Line modules connect to their corresponding I/O modules through a passive midplane. A line module receives packets through its I/O module and processes those packets. The router then routes the packets out to the network through the designated I/O module.

Each line module and I/O module has a label on its faceplate. In this documentation, line modules and I/O modules are identified by that label. For example, the three-port CT3 line module is called the CT3 line module, and its corresponding I/O module is the CT3/T3 I/O module.

When we refer to a related set of line modules or I/O modules, the generic information from the module labels is used in this documentation. For example, the term "OCx/STMx line modules" refers to both the OCx/STMx ATM and the OCx/STMx POS line modules. Similarly, the term "GE I/O modules" refers to both the GE Multimode I/O module and the GE Single Mode I/O module.

For a complete list of the line modules and I/O modules available, see E-series Module Guide, Chapter 1, Module Combinations.