Table of Contents

Versatile Interface Processor

The second-generation Versatile Interface Processor (VIP2) is used with the Cisco 7500 series routers, and the Cisco 7000 series routers using the RSP7000 and RSP7000CI.

The VIP2 installs in the interface processor slots in your Cisco 7000 series or Cisco 7500 series router, and requires that the Cisco 7000 series router has the 7000 Series Route Switch Processor (RSP7000) and RSP7000CI installed. The VIP2 uses a single motherboard with up to two port adapters or service adapters. The VIP2 port adapters provide the individual LAN and WAN interface ports.

The VIP2-15 provides for high-density, mixed-media support of a variety of port and service adapters. Packets are forwarded to the Route Switch Processor for processing. The VIP2-40 and VIP2-50 build on the capabilities of the VIP2-15 with support for distributed switching and distributed services. Distributed switching allows the VIP2-40 and VIP2-50 to perform Layer 3 switching services for the local port adapters. Distributed services enable advanced Cisco IOS Layer 3 services such as encryption and compression to be processed on the VIP, thus relieving the main Route Switch Processor from these activities.

The VIP2 can be removed from a chassis while power is on and the system is operating. There are no restrictions on the chassis interface processor slots in which the VIP2 can be installed.

The VIP2 CPU is an RISC, MIPS 4700 processor that has an internal operating frequency of 100 MHz and a 50 MHz system bus interface. The VIP2-50 CPU is an R5000 processor running at 200 MHz. All VIP2 models have 128 KB of nonvolatile random-access memory (NVRAM).

The following table shows the DRAM, SRAM, and software capabilities of the current VIP2 products.

1. VIP2-10 and VIP2-20 are no longer available. The information presented in this table is for informational purposes only.

2. The VIP2-10 and VIP2-15 require additional memory when used with Cisco IOS software version 12.0 and higher. A memory upgrade kit is available to increases the total program memory to 16 MB. VIP2-15s ordered after 5/17/99 have 16 MB default program memory.

3. VIP2-50 uses a synchronous dynamic random-access memory (SDRAM), and a proprietary SDRAM daughter card

The VIP2-10, VIP2-15, and VIP2-20 can support the following SRAM, DRAM, and software memory-configuration upgrades:

• VIP2-10/15-UPG — upgrades the VIP2-10 to a VIP2-15

• VIP2-10/40-UPG — upgrades the VIP2-10 to a VIP2-40

• VIP2-15/40-UPG — upgrades the VIP2-15 to a VIP2-40

• VIP2-20/40-UPG — upgrades the VIP2-20 to a VIP2-40

The VIP2-50 can support the following SRAM, SDRAM, and software memory-configuration upgrades:

• MEM-VIP250-8M-S — 8 MB SRAM daughter card for the VIP2-50 only

• MEM-VIP250-64M-D — 64 MB SDRAM DIMM for the VIP2-50 only

• MEM-VIP250-128M-D — 128 MB SDRAM DIMM for the VIP2-50 only

The VIP2 provides support for any two port adapters as listed in the following table.

When you order a VIP2, memory and software are important considerations. Use the following information when ordering a VIP2:

• Order Cisco IOS Release 11.1(472) or later, which enables the VIP2 to run the Cisco IOS kernel and DSW.

The VIP2-50 operates with the CxBus in the Cisco 7000 series routers providing these routers have the RSP7000 and RSP7000CI installed and, depending on your VIP2 port adapter configuration and protocol requirements, that the host routers are running Cisco IOS Release 11.1(14)CA or later.

• Use VIP2-specific software product numbers from the "Cisco IOS Software" chapter (Cisco 7500 series) or (Cisco 7000 series).

• The RSP7000 upgrade enables Cisco 7000 and Cisco 7010 systems to take advantage of advanced VIP2 features.

The following figure shows a VIP2 board with one PA-FE-TX port adapter and a blank port adapter installed. The port adapter handles have been omitted for clarity.

Figure 17-50: VIP2-50 with Two Installed Port Adapters

The following table outlines the minimum VIP2 hardware configurations for port adapters supported by the VIP2 architecture.

Posted: Wed Sep 27 05:14:09 PDT 2000
Copyright 1989-2000©Cisco Systems Inc.