Small modules play a major role in reusing network devices

Recently, Abo's company has expanded its scale and added many employee clients. The leaders also demanded that the company's internal network telephone project be launched as soon as possible, and all the tasks were put on ABO's shoulders. With a sigh of relief from the cisco devices purchased a few years ago, these devices cannot meet the company's scale and needs. It seems that they can only be discarded.

Just as abo took the old equipment out of the company's door and was ready to deal with it, he met university students Xiao Zhang. After ABO met the company's needs and Xiao Zhang Daoming, james patted a Bao's head and said, "dropping these old devices is the greatest waste! Only a few small modules are required to continue using the old devices that do not meet the requirements.

I. What is a module:

For the vrouters and vswitches we often access, we will never be able to upgrade this product after we purchase it. Some network administrators still have the traditional idea that upgrading the Routing Switching Device is only limited to software upgrades, for example, downloading the latest IOS Update file from the official website, then, update the device to the new version through TFTP or FTP to eliminate some bugs, or add ROM so that the device can store more IOS and Flash software. In fact, we can not only upgrade the software of the routing switch device, but also improve the product performance in terms of hardware.

The hardware upgrade is mainly reflected in the installation module. To put it bluntly, the module of the routing switch device is equivalent to the plug-ins of various applications that we often use. Plug-ins can help applications implement certain special functions, and the plug-ins can only run with the application. Therefore, a module is a component that can provide certain functions. Similarly, it cannot work independently. It can run normally only when it is installed in the internal slot of the routing switch device. The program plug-ins in the software are similar to those in the hardware.

2. Benefits of adding modules:

By adding a module to the routing switch device, devices that originally could not implement a certain function can support this function, so that devices that originally could not provide a service can provide this service, the Port Number of the routing switch device is expanded, the function is enhanced, and the performance is improved.

Of course, it does not mean that all Routing Switching devices support module expansion, nor that any Routing Switching Device supports all modules. We need to query the help manual of the product for specific support or not. But cisco, the largest router exchange equipment manufacturer, said that interfaces in earlier vrouters such as the Cisco2500 series were fixed and cannot be expanded. Since the Cisco2600 series, modular design has been adopted. Some interface interfaces and network modules will be purchased by customers based on their own needs, this powerful scalability and upgrade force make Cisco router products more widely used. In terms of vswitches, only modular vswitches can install various modules, mainly for models of 4000 or above. network designers can meet network requirements, select different numbers and models of interface boards, power supply modules, and corresponding software. Previous vswitch products do not have the upgrade module function.

TIPS:

Modules produced by different manufacturers are specific. That is to say, we cannot install modules with certain functions developed by other vendors on the routing switch devices of another vendor. In particular, the module developed by cisco cannot be used on other devices because it has an identifier similar to the serial number.

Iii. functional modules:

The modules can be divided into network modules, advanced integrated modules, wan interface cards, lan modules, ATM and serial network modules, ISDN, analog modem and channelized serial network module, alarm interface controller (AIC) network module, intrusion detection system network module, Content Engine network module, voice/WAN Interface Card, Voice interface card, advanced integration modules, stack modules, and so on, almost any function has a corresponding module, or any combination of the two functions can also derive a variety of modules.

Of course, in a broad sense, various functional modules are mainly divided into two categories. One is pure functional modules, which are designed to enable Routing Switching devices that originally do not support this function to support this function and service. The other type is the extension module. The so-called extension module is to extend a function of the original routing switch device. For example, the LAN module increases the number of ports supported by the routing switch device, the WAN Interface Card enables the routing switch device to support more Wan interfaces. The switch module enables the device to support more Ethernet interfaces.
4. Product-level modules:

As mentioned above, the lowest-end products do not have the function of upgrading modules, So we divide the modules at the product level mainly to stay on low-end products and high-end products.

Generally, the most common module is the GBIC Gigabit module. It can provide a Routing Switching Device to transmit data at a gigabit speed, for devices that purchased 100 M/10 M Adaptive, you can purchase and install the GBIC Gigabit module to upgrade and increase the transmission rate. This is the most common module. Most low-end and Middle-end products only support this module. As mentioned above, various functional modules are mainly used in mid-and high-end products.

5. Divide modules in terms of concept:

There are many types of modules, some are called interface cards, some are called engines or even super engines, and others are simply called XX modules. Are these different names corresponding to the same thing? The following is a brief introduction.

A module is the most common name. He told us that this module can provide a function. Interfaces are mainly used to expand interfaces. As mentioned above, interfaces are used to expand a function of a Routing Switching Device. Ethernet interfaces are used to expand Ethernet ports ), WAN Interface Card extended wan interface. Finally, let's talk about the engine. He and the super engine are a kind of thing. They are a type of module, but they are more powerful than ordinary modules. Through them, we can combine multiple functions, you can even add modules to a super engine to expand a function. In layman's terms, an engine is a large module. you can install a module on it or directly use the engine.
6. Divide modules from interfaces:

There are many kinds of interfaces and slots provided by the routing switch device to the module. Due to the length relationship, it is impossible for readers to come one by one. The main applications include WIC low-speed interfaces and NM High-Speed interfaces. When selecting a module, you must first know the interfaces and slots supported by your routing switch device.

TIPS:

The last thing to note is that most modules do not support hot swapping. Therefore, we must be careful when installing and detaching modules. do not cause damage to the equipment due to improper operations.

Summary:

Through the module, we can allow the company's old equipment to continue to use the residual heat. By adding various functional modules to provide new services, we can add new ports to employees by adding various interface cards, the intrusion detection module can also improve the security of the routing switch device and even the entire network of the company by adding content filtering. Therefore, although the small module is not eye-catching, it has played a great role, so that our original investment will not be wasted, saving the company's valuable funds.