FPC Types

The router supports two types of FPC, shown in Figure 6:

• FPC1 (standard or enhanced)—Supports PICs including single-port OC-12/STM-4 and Gigabit Ethernet.
• FPC2 (standard or enhanced)—Supports higher-speed PICs including OC-48/STM-16 and Tunnel services.

You can install any combination of FPC types together on the router.

FPCs are hot-removable and hot-insertable, as described in Field-Replaceable Units (FRUs). When you remove or install an FPC, packet forwarding halts for about 200 ms while the Packet Forwarding Engine adjusts to the change in the amount of memory available in the pool located on and shared by all FPCs. When you install an FPC into a functioning router, the Routing Engine downloads the FPC software, the FPC runs its diagnostics, and the PICs housed on the FPC are enabled. Forwarding continues uninterrupted during this process. For FPC replacement instructions, see Replacing an FPC.

Enhanced FPCs have I/O Manager ASICs capable of enhanced quality of service, and 2 MB of SSRAM. Enhanced FPCs can be identified through the CLI, or by a sticker on the faceplate.

The PICs that install on both types of FPC are also hot-removable and hot-insertable. For more information, see Physical Interface Cards (PICs).