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Hardware Overview
On both the XP-8000 and XP-8600, slot 0 is labeled "CM" and contains the primary control
module. The CM slot cannot be used for line cards. The primary control module must be
installed in this slot. The CM/1 slot can contain a redundant control module (if you install
one) or can contain a line card. Slots 2 to 7 on the XP-8000 or slots 2 to 15 on the XP-8600
can contain any line cards. (See Control Module
information about these items.)
You can install line cards in any order in the slots. For example, you could install line cards
in slots 2 and 5 and leave the other line card slots empty. The XP provides non-blocking
throughput regardless of the software features you are using. Therefore, you do not need
to "load balance" line cards by placing them in certain relationships to balance the load on
the backplane. Regardless of where you install the line cards, the backplane can provide
full, non-blocking throughput.
Backplane
The backplane occupies the rear of the chassis and connects the power supplies, control
modules, and line cards together. The power supplies use the backplane to provide power
to the rest of the system. The line cards and control modules use the backplane to
exchange control information and packets. The backplane is installed at the factory.
Contact Enterasys Networks if you wish to replace the backplane.
Fan Module
The XP contains a fan module to provide a cooling air flow across the control module(s)
and line cards. The fan module is located on the left side of the control modules and line
cards. The XP-8000 fan module contains two fans; the XP-8600 fan module contains six
fans. The fan module is installed at the factory, but you can replace the module yourself, if
necessary.
To ensure that the fan module can provide adequate cooling, always provide a
Note:
minimum of 3 inches of clearance on each side of the chassis.
Control Module
The control module is the XP's central processing unit. It contains system-wide bridging
and routing tables. Traffic that does not yet have an entry in the L2 and L3/L4 lookup
tables on individual line cards is sent to the control module. After processing traffic, the
control module updates the L2 and L3/L4 tables on the line cards that received the traffic.
The line cards thus "learn" about how to forward traffic.
12
on page 12
and Line Cards
Enterasys Xpedition 8000/8600 Getting Started Guide
on page 18
for
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