Cisco SSP Series Installation And Configuration Manual page 2

SSP Description
SSP Description
The SSP is the high-performance silicon switch for Cisco 7000 series routers. There are two
hardware versions of the SSP: one with 512 KB of packet memory and another with 2 MB of packet
memory, for installations requiring increased memory capacity.
Note
interface processor (AIP) in Cisco Internetwork Operating System (Cisco IOS) software releases
prior to 10.0(11), 10.2(8), 10.3(5), and 11.0(1). The SSP with 2 MB of packet memory supports the
AIP in Cisco IOS software releases 10.0(11), 10.2(8), 10.3(5), and 11.0(1), as well as all subsequent
releases of the Cisco IOS software.
For specific software requirements for each SSP configuration, refer to the section "Software
Upgrade Prerequisites" on page 8.
The SSP and the Route Processor (RP), which contains the system processor, provide distributed
processing and control for the interface processors. Network interfaces reside on the modular
interface processors that provide a direct connection between the high-speed, 533-Mbps
Cisco Extended Bus (CxBus) and the external networks. The SSP, shown in Figure 1, communicates
with and controls the interface processors on the high-speed CxBus. The SSP determines the
destination of a packet and switches the packet, based on that decision. The SSP is always installed
in the backplane SP slot adjacent to the RP. (See Figure 2 and Figure 3.) A few seconds after bootup,
the LED labeled Enabled goes on to indicate that the SSP is enabled for operation. One SSP (or SP)
is required in each Cisco 7000 series router.
Figure 1
Cisco 7000 Series Overview
The Cisco 7000 Series comprises the five-slot Cisco 7010 and the seven-slot Cisco 7000. Both
models use the same Route Processor (RP), Silicon Switch Processor (SSP), and interface
processors. The Cisco 7000 provides five interface slots and offers a second modular power supply
for redundant power. The Cisco 7010 provides three interface slots, and offers the same performance
as the Cisco 7000.
Figure 2 shows the interface processor end of the Cisco 7000 model, which provides access to the
seven processor slots and the removable power supplies. When facing the interface processor end of
the chassis, the RP and SP slot are on the far right. The five interface processor slots are numbered
0 to 4 from left to right. In both models, interface processor slots support any combination of
network interface types: Ethernet, Token Ring, fiber distributed data interface (FDDI), serial, and
high-speed serial interface (HSSI). The RP, SP, and interface processors are keyed with guides on
the backplane to prevent them from being fully inserted in the wrong slot. The SSP (or SP), RP, and
2 Silicon Switch Processor (SSP) Installation and Configuration
The SSP with 2 MB of packet memory did not support the Asynchronous Transfer Mode
Silicon Switch Processor (SSP)
Enabled LED
U231