System Components
1-10
SmartEdge 1200 Router Hardware Guide
The time-of-day clock (TDC) for a SmartEdge router is implemented in software. When a system with
an XCRP3 or XCRP4 Controller card is powered on, the RTC sets the TDC; otherwise, the TDC is
undefined until it is configured and set using the SmartEdge OS. The TDC can be maintained by
synchronization with a Network Time Protocol (NTP) server. Periodically, the SmartEdge OS updates
the RTC based on the current value of the TDC.
• Support for an external timing connection
All controller cards support a BITS (DS-1) or SSU (E1) interface as a source for the system clock. For
the XCRP Controller card, the type of interface is identified by the label suffix on the card: “T1 BITS”
for DS-1 and “E1 SSU” for E1; for the XCRP3 and XCRP4 Controller cards, the type of interface is
software selectable.
The external timing interfaces allow the system clock operation to be independent of the type of external
equipment and the framing of the external line.
• Internal storage for SmartEdge OS files
A controller card has one or two CF cards (Type I), which store SmartEdge OS images and files.
SmartEdge OS storage is organized into three partitions: p0, p1, and /flash. The p0 and p1 partitions
each store a system image and its files; the memory on a controller card can be loaded from either
partition. The third partition, /flash, stores SmartEdge OS configuration files and other system- and
user-created data files.
• Optional CF card
A controller card has an external slot on the front panel in which you can install an optional Type I or
Type II CF card. The XCRP4 Controller card supports Type I CF cards only. When installed (the system
is shipped with the slot empty), the CF card captures crash dumps and provides an alternate source for
loading SmartEdge OS software, if it is not possible to download it over the network.
Note
The SmartEdge OS does not support transmission of data to external equipment.
Note
The capacity of the CF cards can vary; the CF cards installed in the active and standby
controller cards need not have the same capacity.
Caution
Risk of data loss. You can corrupt the system if you attempt to install a CF card not obtained
from Redback
®
because these items have not been tested with the SmartEdge router. To
reduce the risk, use only the CF cards provided by Redback.
Note
If a CF card is installed in the active controller card, the standby controller card, if installed,
must also have a CF card installed; however, for the XCRP and XCRP3 Controller cards, the
CF card types (Type I or Type II) need not match.
