This guide provides an overview and description of the Physical Interface Cards (PICs) supported by the Juniper Networks M5 and M10 Internet routers. The PICs are described alphabetically.

PICs provide the physical connection to various network media types. The PICs are inserted into a slot in a router. You can install PICs of different media types on the same router as long as the router supports those PICs.

PICs receive incoming packets from the network and transmit outgoing packets to the network. During this process, each PIC performs framing and high-speed signaling for its media type. Before transmitting outgoing data packets, the PICs encapsulate the packets received. Each PIC is equipped with a media-specific ASIC that performs control functions tailored to the PIC's media type.

Table 1 lists the features available in all current Service PICs for JUNOS release 7.1.

Table 1: PIC Feature Matrix

On Juniper Networks routers, you can typically install any combination of PICs on a single Enhanced FPC. On M40e and M160 routers running JUNOS Release 6.3 and later, some combinations of PICs cannot be installed together on the same Enhanced FPC. If you are upgrading an M40e and M160 router to JUNOS 6.3 or later and have different PIC types on a single FPC, please consult Technical Bulletin PSN-2004-04-005 on the Juniper Networks Support Web site at http://www.juniper.net/support/.

Blank Physical Interface Cards resemble other PICs, but do not provide any physical connection or activity. When a slot is not occupied by a PIC, you must insert a blank PIC to fill the empty slot and ensure proper cooling of the system.

For complete information about installing Physical Interface Cards (PICs), including installation of small form-factor pluggable transceivers (SFPs), refer to "Replace Router Components" in the M5 and M10 Internet Routers Hardware Guide located at http://www.juniper.net/techpubs/.

Table 2 lists the PICs supported by the M5 and M10 Internet routers.