Removing and Installing Port Adapters

This chapter describes how to remove the PA-A3 OC-12 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 components or connector pins. (See Figure 3-1.)

Figure 3-1: Handling a Port Adapter

Caution Always handle the VIP4 by the carrier edges and handle; never touch the VIP4 components or connector pins. (See Figure 3-2.)

Figure 3-2: Handling the VIP4---Horizontal Orientation Shown

Online Insertion and Removal

You can remove and replace the PA-A3 OC-12 together with the VIP4 it is installed on while the system is operating; you do not need to notify the software or reset the system power. This functionality enables you to add, remove, or replace the PA-A3 OC-12 with the system online, which provides a method that is seamless to end users on the network, maintains all routing information, and ensures session preservation.

After the PA-A3 OC-12 and VIP4 are reinstalled, the system brings on line only interfaces that match the current configuration and were previously configured as up; all others require that you configure them.

Caution To prevent system problems, do not remove the PA-A3 OC-12 from the VIP4 motherboard. To install or replace the PA-A3 OC-12, first remove the VIP4 from its interface processor slot.

Note As you disengage the PA-A3 OC-12 and the VIP4 motherboard from the router, 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 the VIP4 all the way into the slot until you have connected all required cables to the PA-A3 OC-12. Trying to do so disrupts 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 or other mechanism 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 "VIP4Removing and Installing a Dual-Width Port Adapter" section.

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.

Port Adapter Slot Divider

If you are installing a PA-A3 OC-12 on a VIP4 that has two single-width port adapters installed, then you need to remove the port adapter slot divider as described below:

Step 1 Remove installed single-width port adapters from the slots on both sides of the port adapter slot divider on the VIP4.

Step 2 Use a number 1 Phillips screwdriver to remove the four slot divider screws securing the slot divider to the VIP4. (See Figure 3-3.)

Step 3 Remove the slot divider and store it in a location where you can retrieve it for use later.

In the event that you need to reinstall the port adapter divider on the VIP4, place the slot divider in position on the VIP4 and secure it with the four slot divider screws.

Figure 3-3: Location of VIP4 Slot Divider and Screws

Port Adapter Removal and Installation

In this section, the following illustration gives step-by-step instructions on how to remove and install a dual-width port adapter.

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