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EX9208 Chassis

Understanding EX9208 Switch Component and Functionality Redundancy

The Juniper Networks EX9208 Ethernet Switches are available as fully redundant system. A redundant EX9208 switch configuration is designed so that no single point of failure can cause the entire switch to fail. See EX9208 Switch Configurations.

The following hardware components provide redundancy to an EX9208 switch:

  • Host Subsystem—The host subsystem consists of a Routing Engine functioning together with a Switch Fabric. The host subsystem performs switching and routing functionality, system management, and system control functions of the switch. The switch can have one or two host subsystems. If two host subsystems are installed, one functions as the primary and the other functions as the backup. If the primary host subsystem (or either of its components) fails, the backup can take over as the primary. To operate, each host subsystem requires a Routing Engine module (RE module) installed directly into in a Switch Fabric module (SF module).

    If the Routing Engines are configured for graceful switchover, the backup Routing Engine automatically synchronizes its configuration and state with the primary Routing Engine. Any update to the primary Routing Engine state is replicated on the backup Routing Engine. If the backup Routing Engine assumes primary role, packet forwarding continues through the switch without interruption. See Host Subsystem in an EX9200 Switch.

  • Power supplies—In the low-line (100 V) AC power configuration, the switch contains three or four AC power supplies, located horizontally at the rear of the chassis in slots PEM0 through PEM3 (left to right). Each AC power supply provides power to all components in the switch. When three power supplies are present, they share power almost equally within a fully populated system. Four AC power supplies provide full power redundancy. If one power supply fails or is removed, the remaining power supplies instantly assume the entire electrical load without interruption. Three power supplies provide the maximum configuration with full power for as long as the switch is operational.

    In the high-line (200 V) AC power configuration, the switch contains two or four AC power supplies located horizontally at the rear of the chassis in slots PEM0 through PEM3 (left to right). Each AC power supply provides power to all components in the switch. When two or more power supplies are present, they share power almost equally within a fully populated system. Four AC power supplies provide full power redundancy. If one power supply fails or is removed, the remaining power supplies instantly assume the entire electrical load without interruption. Two power supplies provide the maximum configuration with full power for as long as the switch is operational.

    In the DC configuration, two power supplies are required to supply power to a fully configured switch. One power supply supports approximately half of the components in the switch, and the other power supply supports the remaining components. The addition of two power supplies provides full power redundancy. If one power supply fails or is removed, the remaining power supplies instantly assume the entire electrical load without interruption. Two power supplies provide the maximum configuration with full power for as long as the switch is operational.

    See AC Power Supply in an EX9208 Switch and DC Power Supply in an EX9208 Switch.

  • Cooling system—The cooling system in EX9208 switches consists of fan tray and air filter. The fan tray contains six fans. Under normal operating conditions, the fans in the fan tray run at less than full speed. If one of the fans fails, the host subsystem increases the speed of the remaining fans to provide sufficient cooling for the switch indefinitely. See EX9208 Cooling System.

Craft Interface in an EX9200 Switch

The craft interface enables you to view status and troubleshooting information at a glance and to perform many system control functions. The craft interface is located on the front panel of the switch. It contains LEDs and on and off buttons for switch components, the alarm relay contacts, and an alarm cutoff button.

Figure 1 shows the craft interface in an EX9204 switch. Figure 2 shows the craft interface in an EX9208 switch. Figure 3 shows the craft interface in an EX9214 switch.

Figure 1: Craft Interface in an EX9204 SwitchCraft Interface in an EX9204 Switch
  1

Host subsystem LEDs

  5

Major alarm LED

  2

Fan LEDs

  6

Alarm cutoff/lamp test button

  3

Power supply LEDs

  7

Alarm relay contacts

  4

Minor alarm LED

  8

LEDs and control buttons for Switch Fabric and Line cards

Note:

You can install a line card or an SF module in the multifunctional slot labeled 1|0 in EX9204 switches. The corresponding LED displays information depending on the hardware installed in that slot.

Figure 2: Craft Interface in an EX9208 SwitchCraft Interface in an EX9208 Switch
  1

Host subsystem LEDs

  6

Alarm cutoff/lamp test button

  2

Fan LEDs

  7

Alarm relay contacts

  3

Power supply LEDs

  8

Switch Fabric LEDs and control buttons

  4

Minor alarm LED

  9

Line card LEDs and control buttons

  5

Major alarm LED

 
Figure 3: Craft Interface in an EX9214 SwitchCraft Interface in an EX9214 Switch
  1

Power supply LEDs

  6

Alarm cutoff/lamp test button

  2

Fan LEDs

  7

Alarm relay contacts

  3

Host subsystem LEDs

  8

Line card LEDs and control buttons

  4

Minor alarm LED

  9

Switch Fabric/line card LED and control button

  5

Major alarm LED

10

Switch Fabric LEDs and control buttons

Note:

You can install a line card or a Switch Fabric module (SF module) in slot nine—labeled 2 | 6. The corresponding LED displays information depending on the hardware installed in that slot.

Note:

At least one Switch Fabric module (SF module) with a Routing Engine module (RE module) must be installed in the switch for the craft interface to obtain power.

The craft interface has the following components:

Host Subsystem LEDs

Each host subsystem (RE module with SF module) has three LEDs, located on the upper left of the craft interface, to indicate its status. The LEDs grouped with labels RE0 and RE1 show the status of the host subsystems installed in the switch. Table 1 describes the functions of these LEDs.

Table 1: Host Subsystem LEDs on the Craft Interface

Label

Status

Description

MASTER

Green

Host subsystem is functioning as the primary.

Unlit

Host subsystem is either functioning as the backup or not installed.

ONLINE

Green

Host subsystem is online and is functioning normally.

Unlit

Host subsystem is either offline or not installed.

OFFLINE

Red

Host subsystem is installed but Routing Engine is offline.

Unlit

Host subsystem is not installed.

Fan LEDs

The fan LEDs are located on the top left of the craft interface. Table 2 describes the functions of the fan LEDs.

Table 2: Fan LEDs on the Craft Interface

Label

Status

Description

OK

Green

Fan is functioning normally.

Unlit

Fan is not installed.

FAIL

Red

Fan has failed.

Unlit

Fan is not installed or functioning normally.

Power Supply (PEM) LEDs

Each power supply has two LEDs on the craft interface that indicate its status. The LEDs—labeled 0 through 3—are located on the craft interface next to the PEM label. Table 3 describes the functions of the power supply LEDs on the craft interface.

Table 3: Power Supply LEDs on the Craft Interface

Label

Status

Description

OK

Green

Power supply is functioning normally.

Off

Power supply in not installed.

FAIL

Red

Power supply has failed.

Off

Power supply is not installed or functioning normally.

Switch Fabric LEDs and Control Buttons

Each Switch Fabric module has two LEDs on the craft interface that indicates its status. The LEDs—OK and FAIL—are associated with control buttons and are located along the bottom of the craft interface. You can turn the SF modules on or off by pressing these buttons on the craft interface.

Table 4 describes the status of the SF module LEDs.

Table 4: Switch Fabric Module LEDs on the Craft Interface

Label

Status

Description

OK

Green

On steadily—The SF module is functioning normally.

Blinking—The SF module is coming online or going offline.

Unlit

The SF module is not online.

FAIL

Red

The SF module has failed.

Unlit

The SF module is not installed or is not functioning normally.

Line Card LEDs and Control Buttons

Each line card has two LEDs—OK and FAIL—on the craft interface that indicates its status. The line card LEDs are associated with control buttons and are located along the bottom of the craft interface. You can turn a line card online or offline by using its control button on the craft interface. Table 5 describes the function of the line card LEDs.

Table 5: Line Card LEDs on the Craft Interface

Label

Status

Description

OK

Green

On steadily—Line card is functioning normally.

Blinking—Line card is coming online or going offline.

Unlit

Line card is not online.

FAIL

Red

Line card has failed.

Unlit

Line card is not installed or functioning normally.

Alarm LEDs and Alarm Cutoff Button

Two large alarm LEDs are located at the upper right of the craft interface. The circular LED called major alarm LED glows to indicate a critical condition that can result in a system shutdown. The triangular LED called minor alarm LED glows to indicate a less severe condition (warning) that requires monitoring or maintenance. Both LEDs can be lit simultaneously.

A condition that causes an LED to be lit also activates the corresponding alarm relay contact on the craft interface.

The alarm cutoff/lamp test (ACO/LT) button, located next to the alarm LEDs, is a control button for alarms. You can press the ACO/LT button to deactivate major and minor alarms. Deactivating an alarm turns off both LEDs and deactivates the device attached to the corresponding alarm relay contact on the craft interface.

Table 6 describes the alarm LEDs and the alarm cutoff/lamp test button.

Table 6: Alarm LEDs and Alarm Cutoff/Lamp Test Button

Alarm LEDs and Button

Status

Description

Major alarm LED

Red

Indicates a critical condition that can cause the switch to stop functioning. Possible causes include component removal, failure, or overheating.

Minor alarm LED

Yellow

Indicates a serious but nonfatal error condition, such as warning for a maintenance or a significant increase in component temperature.

Alarm cutoff/lamp test button

Deactivates major and minor alarms. Causes all LEDs on the craft interface to light (for testing) when pressed and held.

Alarm Relay Contacts

The craft interface has two alarm relay contacts for connecting the switch to external alarm devices. Whenever a system condition triggers either the critical (major alarm) or warning (minor alarm) alarm on the craft interface, the alarm relay contacts are also activated. The alarm relay contacts are located on the upper right of the craft interface.

Figure 4 shows the alarm relay contacts in EX9200 switches.

Figure 4: Alarm Relay Contacts in EX9200 SwitchesAlarm Relay Contacts in EX9200 Switches

Midplane in an EX9200 Switch

The midplane is located on the rear of the chassis and forms the rear of the card cage. The Switch Fabric modules (SF modules) and line cards are installed into the midplane from the front of the chassis, and the power supplies install into the midplane from the rear of the chassis. The cooling system components also connect to the midplane.

The midplane performs the following major functions:

  • Provides a data path—Data packets are transferred across the midplane between the line cards through the Switch Fabric on the host subsystem.

  • Distributes power—The power supplies connect to the midplane, which distributes power to all the switch components.

  • Provides a signal path—The midplane provides the signal path to the line cards, Switch Fabric, and other system components for monitoring and control of the system.

Figure 5 shows the midplane in an EX9204 switch. Figure 6 shows the midplane in an EX9208 switch. Figure 7 shows the midplane in an EX9214 switch.

Figure 5: Midplane in an EX9204 SwitchMidplane in an EX9204 Switch
Figure 6: Midplane in an EX9208 SwitchMidplane in an EX9208 Switch
Figure 7: Midplane in an EX9214 SwitchMidplane in an EX9214 Switch

Cable Management Brackets in an EX9208 Switch

The cable management brackets (see Figure 8) consist of plastic dividers located on the left and right sides of each line card slot and Switch Fabric module (SF module) slot. The cable management brackets allow you to route the cables outside the switch and away from the line cards and SF modules.

Figure 8: Cable Management Brackets Cable Management Brackets
Figure 9: Cable Management Brackets Installed on the SwitchCable Management Brackets Installed on the Switch