Removing and Installing Port Adapters

This chapter describes how to remove the PA-4R-DTR 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

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 PA-4R-DTR in Cisco 7100 series routers and Cisco 7200 series routers.

Although the VIP2 supports online insertion and removal, individual port adapters do not. To replace port adapters, you must first remove the VIP2 from the chassis and then install or replace port adapters as required. If a blank port adapter is installed on the VIP2 on which you want to install a new port adapter, you must first remove the VIP2 from the chassis and then remove the blank port adapter.

Caution To prevent system problems, do not remove port adapters from the VIP2 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 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 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 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.

Port Adapter Removal and Installation

In this section, the illustrations that follow give step-by-step instructions on how to remove and install port adapters. This section contains the following illustrations:

Cisco 7100 Series
—Removing and Installing a Port Adapter

Cisco 7200 Series—Removing and Installing a Port Adapter

VIP2
—Removing and Installing a Port Adapter

Connecting a PA-4R-DTR Interface Cable

After installing the PA-4R-DTR, you need one Token Ring interface cable for each PA-4R-DTR interface you want to use. Token Ring interface cables are not available from Cisco but are commercially available through outside cable vendors.

Use the following procedure to connect RJ-45 cables to the PA-4R-DTR:

Step 1 Determine which PA-4R-DTR ports you want to use.

Note The IBM Token Ring specifies a star topology with all end stations connected through a device called a MSAU or Token Ring switch. IEEE 802.5 does not specify any topology, although most implementations are based on a star configuration with end stations attached to a device called an MAU or to a Token Ring switch. Also, IBM Token Ring specifies twisted-pair cabling, whereas IEEE 802.5 does not specify media type. Most Token Ring networks use FTP cabling; however, some 4-Mbps networks use UTP cable.

Step 2 Attach the port adapter end of a Token Ring interface cable, or other connection equipment, to the interface port. (See Figure 3-2.)

Note Port adapters have a handle attached, but this handle is not shown to allow a full view of detail on the PA-4R-DTR port adapter faceplate.

Figure 3-2: Token Ring Interface Cable Connections

Caution Each PA-4R-DTR interface must be configured for the same ring speed as the ring to which it is connected (4 or 16 Mbps). If the PA-4R-DTR interface is set for a different speed, it causes the ring to beacon, which brings down the ring.

Step 3 Attach the network end of the Token Ring interface cable to the appropriate Token Ring equipment at your site (MAU, MSAU, or Token Ring switch).

This completes the procedure for attaching a PA-4R-DTR interface cable.

Table of Contents

Removing and Installing Port Adapters