Hardware Overview; Chassis Devices - HP PROCURVE 6208M-SX Installation And Getting Started Manual

This chapter provides a hardware overview of the HP 9308M, HP 9304M, and HP 6308M-SX routing switches and
the HP 6208M-SX switch.
• For information about specific hardware standards and specifications, see the "Hardware Specifications"
appendix in the Advanced Configuration and Management Guide.
• For a detailed summary and description of software features, see "Software Overview" on page 7-1.
The HP 6208M-SX switch provides support for Layer 2 switching within one platform. The HP 6308M-SX routing
switch provides both Layer 2 switching and Layer 3 routing in a single device.
The HP 9308M and HP 9308M also provide Layer 2 switching and Layer 3 routing in a single device and support
hardware-based Layer 2/3/4 switching and multi-protocol routing on a single, chassis-based platform.

Chassis Devices

The HP 9308M and HP 9304M routing switches provide second generation, hardware-based Layer 2/3/4
switching and multi-protocol routing on a single, chassis-based platform, as shown in Figure 8.1 and Figure 8.14,
respectively.
Enterprises and Internet service providers (ISPs) can use these routing switches to build very high-performance,
end-to-end packet networks that provide the Quality of Service (QoS) needed to support delay-sensitive traffic.
Designed for use in collapsed backbone data centers, server farms, and wiring closets, the HP 9308M and HP
9304M deliver high-density Gigabit Ethernet ports and 10/100 Mbps ports and provides performance of up to
100,000,000 packets per second.
Chassis Modules
Each slot of the HP 9308M and HP 9304M can be populated by either a switch module or a management module.
All non-management modules (those without a serial management port), are referred to as switch modules.
Each system requires at least one management module. Management modules are available with 10/100 Mbps,
100 Mbps fiber ports or Gigabit Ethernet ports and provide a serial port for console access. Management
modules also provide additional port density to the system. The management module can be installed within any
slot.
For added redundancy and reliability, you can install two Redundant Management modules in a Chassis device.
One of the Redundant Management modules is the active module while the other waits in standby mode to
assume operation if the active module becomes unavailable. See "Redundant Management Module" on page 8­
11 and "Using Redundant Management Modules" on page 5-1 for more information.
Chapter 8

Hardware Overview

8 - 1