Removing and Installing Port Adapters

This chapter describes how to remove the multichannel DS1/PRI port adapter from supported platforms and also how to install a new or replacement port adapter. This chapter contains the following sections:

Installation Overview

Each port adapter circuit board is mounted to a metal carrier and is sensitive to electrostatic discharge (ESD) damage.

Note When a port adapter slot is not in use, a blank port adapter must fill the empty slot to allow the router or switch to conform to electromagnetic interference (EMI) emissions requirements and to allow proper airflow across the port adapters. If you plan to install a new port adapter in a slot that is not in use, you must first remove the blank port adapter.

Handling Port Adapters

Caution Always handle the port adapter by the carrier edges and handle; never touch the port adapter's components or connector pins. (See Figure 3-1.)

Figure 3-1: Handling a Port Adapter

Online Insertion and Removal

Several platforms support online insertion and removal (OIR) of port adapters; therefore, you do not have to power down routers when removing and replacing a multichannel DS1/PRI on Cisco 7100 series routers, Cisco 7200 series routers, or Cisco uBR7200 series routers.

Although the VIP2, VIP4, Catalyst RSM/VIP2, and Catalyst 6000 family FlexWAN module support online insertion and removal, individual port adapters do not. To replace port adapters, you must first remove the VIP2, VIP4, Catalyst RSM/VIP2, or Catalyst 6000 family FlexWAN module from the chassis and then install or replace port adapters as required. If a blank port adapter is installed on the VIP2, VIP4, Catalyst RSM/VIP2, or Catalyst 6000 family FlexWAN module on which you want to install a new port adapter, you must first remove the VIP2, VIP4, Catalyst RSM/VIP2, or Catalyst 6000 family FlexWAN module from the chassis and then remove the blank port adapter.

Caution To prevent system problems, do not remove port adapters from the VIP2, VIP4, Catalyst RSM/VIP2, or Catalyst 6000 family FlexWAN module motherboard or attempt to install other port adapters on the motherboard when the system is operating. To install or replace port adapters, first remove the VIP2, VIP4, Catalyst RSM/VIP2, or Catalyst 6000 family FlexWAN module from its interface processor slot.

Note As you disengage the port adapter from the router or switch, online insertion and removal (OIR) administratively shuts down all active interfaces in the port adapter.

Note Before you begin installation, read "Preparing for Installation" for a list of parts and tools required for installation.

Warnings and Cautions

Observe the following warnings and cautions when installing or removing port adapters.

Caution Do not slide a port adapter all the way into the slot until you have connected all required cables. Trying to do so will disrupt normal operation of the router or switch.

Note If a port adapter lever or other retaining mechanism does not move to the locked position, the port adapter is not completely seated in the midplane. Carefully pull the port adapter halfway out of the slot, reinsert it, and move the port adapter lever to the locked position.

Caution To prevent jamming the carrier between the upper and the lower edges of the port adapter slot, and to ensure that the edge connector at the rear of the port adapter mates with the connection at the rear of the port adapter slot, make certain that the carrier is positioned correctly, as shown in the cutaway in the following illustrations.

Warning When performing the following procedures, wear a grounding wrist strap to avoid ESD damage to the card. Some platforms have an ESD connector for attaching the wrist strap. Do not directly touch the midplane or backplane with your hand or any metal tool, or you could shock yourself.

On a single multichannel DS1/PRI port adapter, you can use up to two (PA-MC-2T1), four (PA-MC-4T1,) or eight (PA-MC-8T1 or PA-MC-8DSX1) RJ-48C connections. RJ-48C shielded cables are not available from Cisco Systems; they are available from outside commercial cable vendors.

Note The Catalyst RSM/VIP2 does not support the PA-MC-2T1 multichannel DS1/PRI port adapter.

Note The Catalyst 6000 family FlexWAN module supports the PA-MC-8T1 multichannel DS1/PRI port adapter only.

To connect RJ-48C shielded cables to the multichannel DS1/PRI port adapter follow this procedure:

Step 1 Attach the Category 3 or 5 UTP shielded cable directly to one of the RJ-48C ports on the multichannel DS1/PRI port adapter.

Step 2 Attach the network end of your RJ-48C shielded cable to your external equipment.

Step 3 Repeat Steps 1 and 2 for each of the remaining interfaces you want to install.

Note When you make a good connection of an RJ-48C shielded cable to a port on the multichannel DS1/PRI port adapter, it takes approximately 30 seconds for the system software to report that the line is up.

This completes the port adapter cable installation. Proceed to "Configuring the Multichannel DS1/PRI Interfaces," to configure the port adapter and complete the installation.

Table of Contents

Removing and Installing Port Adapters