Removing and Installing Port Adapters

This chapter describes how to remove the PA-VXB and PA-VXC port adapters 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 VIP by the carrier edges and handle; never touch the VIP components or connector pins. (See Figure 3-2.)

Figure 3-2: Handling the VIP—Horizontal Orientation Shown

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-VXB or PA-VXC port adapter in Cisco 7200 series and Cisco 7200 VXR routers.

Although the Cisco 7500 series routers support online insertion and removal of the VIP motherboard, individual port adapters can not be inserted or removed from a VIP without first removing it from the chassis. To install a new port adapter in a Cisco 7500 series router, you must first install it on a VIP motherboard.

Caution To prevent system problems, do not remove the PA-VXB or PA-VXC from the VIP motherboard. To install or replace these port adapters, first remove the VIP from its interface processor slot.

Note As you disengage the PA-VXB or PA-VXC and the VIP 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 a port adapter or VIP motherboard 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 or VIP motherboard it is installed on, is not completely seated in the midplane or backplane. Carefully pull the card 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 or interface processor slot, and to ensure that the edge connector at the rear of the port adapter or VIP mates with the connection at the midplane or backplane, make certain that the carrier is positioned correctly, as shown in the cutaway in the following illustrations.