Routing Engine

The Routing Engine is an Intel-based PCI platform that runs JUNOS Internet software. Software processes that run on the Routing Engine maintain the routing tables, manage the routing protocols used on the router, control the router's interfaces, control some chassis components, and provide the interface for system management and user access to the router.

The Routing Engine installs into a slot in the FEB at the rear of the chassis. The Routing Engine is field-replaceable, but you must power down the router before removing it from the chassis. Packet forwarding halts until the Routing Engine is replaced and the router is powered on. For replacement instructions, see Replace the Routing Engine.

Routing Engine Components

The Routing Engine (shown in Figure 6) is a two-board system with the following components:

• CPU—Runs JUNOS Internet software to maintain the router's routing tables and routing protocols. It has a Pentium-class processor.
• SDRAM—Provides storage for the routing and forwarding tables and for other Routing Engine processes.
• Compact flash drive—Provides primary storage for software images, configuration files, and microcode. The drive is fixed and inaccessible from outside the router.
• Hard drive—Provides secondary storage for log files, memory dumps, and rebooting the system if the flash drive fails.
• PC card slot—Accepts a removable PC card, which stores software images for system upgrades.
• LED—Indicates disk activity for the internal IDE interface. It does not necessarily indicate routing-related activity.
• Interfaces for out-of-band management access—Provide information about Routing Engine status to devices (console, laptop, or terminal server) that can be attached to access ports located on the craft interface.
• EEPROM—Stores the serial number of the Routing Engine.
• Reset button—Reboots the Routing Engine when pressed.
• Extractor clips—Control the locking system that secures the Routing Engine in the chassis.

The appearance and position of electronic components or the PC card slot on your Routing Engine might differ from Figure 6 and other figures in this document that depict the Routing Engine. These differences do not affect Routing Engine installation and removal or functionality.

For specific information about Routing Engine components (for example, the capacity of the hard drive), issue the show chassis routing-engine command.

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