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OL-12796-01
Cisco Interface Cards for Cisco Access Routers
Revised: 6/7/07, OL-12796-01
Overview
This document provides an overview of Cisco interface cards used in Cisco access routers, and contains
the following sections:
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Introduction to Cisco Interface Cards, page 1
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Cisco Access Routers and Cisco Interface Cards, page 2
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Cisco IOS Software Releases and Cisco Interface Cards, page 10
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Cisco Network Modules Supporting Cisco Interface Cards, page 11
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Cabling for Cisco Interface Cards, page 12
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Platform Support for Cisco Interface Cards, page 15
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Related Documents, page 27
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Where to Go Next, page 30
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Obtaining Documentation, Obtaining Support, and Security Guidelines, page 30
Introduction to Cisco Interface Cards
Cisco interface cards are classified according to the technologies they support. For example, WAN
interface cards (WICs) support WAN technologies, such as Gigabit Ethernet, and voice interface cards
(VICs) support voice technologies. Voice/WAN interface cards (VWICs) can support voice, data, and
voice and data applications, depending on the capabilities of the router in which the VWIC is installed.
High-speed WAN interface cards (HWIC) provide expanded LAN and WAN capabilities, such as
Gigabit Ethernet and Ethernet switching.
Note
HWICs are supported on Cisco 1800 series (modular), Cisco 2800 series, and Cisco 3800 series routers.