Chapter 4
System Architecture Overview
The router architecture consists of two major components:
Packet Forwarding Engine—Performs Layer 2 and Layer 3 packet switching,
route lookups, and packet forwarding.
Routing Engine—Provides Layer 3 routing services and network management.
The Packet Forwarding Engine and the Routing Engine perform independently but
communicate constantly through a 100-Mbps internal link. This arrangement
provides streamlined forwarding and routing control and the ability to run
Internet-scale networks at high speeds. Figure 22 illustrates the relationship
between the Packet Forwarding Engine and the Routing Engine.
Figure 22: System Architecture
Packet Forwarding
Engine
Routing Engine
1244
Packets
in
Packets
out
100-Mbps link
For a discussion of the architectural components, see the following sections:
Packet Forwarding Engine Architecture on page 51
Routing Engine Architecture on page 53
Packet Forwarding Engine Architecture
The Packet Forwarding Engine performs Layer 2 and Layer 3 packet switching.
It can forward up to 160 for all packet sizes. The aggregate throughput for the
router is 160 gigabits per second (Gbps) simplex or 80 Gbps full duplex. The
Packet Forwarding Engine is implemented in application-specific integrated circuits
(ASICs). It uses a centralized route lookup engine and shared memory.
Packet Forwarding Engine Architecture
51
Summary of Contents for Internet Router M160
Page 12: ...M160 Internet Router Hardware Guide xii Table of Contents ...
Page 16: ...M160 Internet Router Hardware Guide xvi List of Figures ...
Page 18: ...M160 Internet Router Hardware Guide xviii List of Tables ...
Page 24: ...M160 Internet Router Hardware Guide xxiv Requesting Support ...
Page 26: ...2 Product Overview ...
Page 30: ...M160 Internet Router Hardware Guide 6 Safety Requirements Warnings and Guidelines ...
Page 66: ...M160 Internet Router Hardware Guide 42 Cable Management System ...
Page 80: ...M160 Internet Router Hardware Guide 56 Routing Engine Architecture ...
Page 82: ...58 Initial Installation ...
Page 104: ...M160 Internet Router Hardware Guide 80 Unpacking the Router ...
Page 148: ...M160 Internet Router Hardware Guide 124 Configuring the JUNOS Internet Software ...
Page 150: ...126 Hardware Maintenance Replacement and Troubleshooting Procedures ...
Page 242: ...M160 Internet Router Hardware Guide 218 Troubleshooting the Power System ...
Page 244: ...220 Appendixes ...
Page 292: ...M160 Internet Router Hardware Guide 268 Packing Components for Shipment ...
Page 301: ...Part 5 Index Index 277 ...
Page 302: ...278 Index ...