MX960 Routing Engine Description
The Routing Engine is an Intel-based PC platform that runs Junos OS. Software processes that run on the Routing Engine maintain the routing tables, manage the routing protocols used on the router, control the router interfaces, control some chassis components, and provide the interface for system management and user access to the router.
You can install one or two Routing Engines in the router. The Routing Engines install into the front of the chassis in vertical slots directly into the SCBs labeled 0 and 1. If two Routing Engines are installed, one functions as the master and the other acts as the backup. If the master Routing Engine fails or is removed and the backup is configured appropriately, the backup takes over as the master.
On the MX960 router, a Routing Engine installed in SCB slot 2/6 receives no power and supplies no additional routing functions. If no SCB is installed in slot 2/6, install a blank panel in the slot.
If the host system is redundant, the backup Routing Engine is hot-removable and hot-insertable, but the master Routing Engine is hot-pluggable. A Routing Engine that is not redundant is hot-pluggable. Each Routing Engine must be installed directly into an SCB. A USB port on the Routing Engine accepts a USB memory device that allows you to load Junos OS. Figure 1 shows the Routing Engine 2000 supported by the MX960 router.
Figure 1: Routing Engine 2000
Routing Engine Components
Each Routing Engine (shown in Figure 1) consists of the following components:
- CPU—Runs Junos OS to maintain the router's routing tables and routing protocols. It has a Pentium-class processor.
- DRAM—Provides storage for the routing and forwarding tables and for other Routing Engine processes.
- USB port—Provides a removable media interface through
which you can install the Junos OS manually. (See Figure 2.) Junos OS supports USB version 1.0.
Figure 2: USB Memory Device in a Routing Engine
- CompactFlash card—Provides primary storage for software images, configuration files, and microcode. The CompactFlash card is fixed and is inaccessible from outside the router.
- Hard disk—Provides secondary storage for log files, memory dumps, and rebooting the system if the CompactFlash card fails.
- Interface ports—The AUX, CONSOLE, and ETHERNET provide access to management devices. Each Routing Engine has one 10/100-Mbps Ethernet port for connecting to a management network, and two asynchronous serial ports—one for connecting to a console and one for connecting to a modem or other auxiliary device.
- EEPROM—Stores the serial number of the Routing Engine.
- Reset button—Reboots the Routing Engine when pressed.
- Online/Offline button—Takes the Routing Engine online or offline when pressed.
- Extractor clips—Used for inserting and extracting the Routing Engine.
- Captive screws—Secure the Routing Engine in place.
 | Note: For specific information about Routing Engine components (for example, the amount of DRAM), issue the show chassis routing-engine command. |
Routing Engine Interface Ports
Three ports, located on the right side of the routing engine, connect the Routing Engine to one or more external devices on which system administrators can issue Junos OS command-line interface (CLI) commands to manage the router (see Figure 1).
The ports with the indicated labels function as follows:
- AUX—Connects the Routing Engine to a laptop, modem, or other auxiliary device through a serial cable with an RJ-45 connector.
- CONSOLE—Connects the Routing Engine to a system console through a serial cable with an RJ-45 connector.
- ETHERNET—Connects the Routing Engine through an Ethernet connection to a management LAN (or any other device that plugs into an Ethernet connection) for out-of-band management. The port uses an autosensing RJ-45 connector to support 10-Mbps or 100-Mbps connections. Two small LEDs on the bottom of the port indicate the connection in use: the LED flashes yellow or green for a 10-Mbps or 100-Mbps connection, and the LED is light green when traffic is passing through the port.
Routing Engine Boot Sequence
The router is shipped with the Junos OS preinstalled on the Routing Engine. There are three copies of software:
- One copy on the CompactFlash card in the Routing Engine.
- One copy on the hard disk in the Routing Engine.
- One copy on a USB flash drive that can be inserted into the slot on the Routing Engine faceplate.
The Routing Engine boots from the storage media in this order: the USB device (if present), then the CompactFlash card, then the hard disk, then the LAN. Normally, the router boots from the copy of the software on the CompactFlash card.
| Note: If two Routing Engines are installed, they must both be the same hardware model. |
