Understanding the FIC
Purpose
Inspect the FIC to ensure that it receives incoming packets from the network, transmits outgoing packets to the network, provides support for Ethernet ports, displays system alarms, and takes PICs online or offline as needed.
What Is an FIC
A FIC is a component, built into the M7i router chassis, that receives incoming packets from the network and transmits outgoing packets to the network, providing support for Fast Ethernet ports or Gigabit Ethernet interfaces, depending on which version of the FIC is installed in the M7i router. You also monitor the FIC to view alarm status, and to perform some system control functions, such as taking PICs online and offline.
There are two types of FICs: with fast Ethernet ports and with a Gigabit Ethernet port. Figure 176 shows the FIC with Fast Ethernet ports.
Figure 177 shows the FIC with a Gigabit Ethernet port.
The FIC is located on the front of the chassis to the left of the Routing Engine and is not a field-replaceable unit (FRU). (See Figure 178.)
