Q&A
© 2009 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. This document is Cisco Public Information.
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Cisco Enhanced EtherSwitch Service Module
Q.
What are the Cisco
®
Enhanced EtherSwitch
®
Service Modules?
A.
These integrated switching modules for the Cisco integrated services routers expand router capabilities by
integrating Layer 2 and Layer 3 switching with feature sets identical to those found in Cisco Catalyst
®
3560-E
and Catalyst 2960 Switches. The new modules also provide a 1-Gbps connection to the multigigabit fabric
(MGF) for intermodule communication that does not burden the router CPU.
Q.
What are the benefits of using the Cisco Enhanced EtherSwitch Service Modules?
A.
Integrated switching and routing provides:
●
Lower cost of ownership: It allows network administrators to manage a single device using the router
command-line interface (CLI) or Cisco management tools for LAN and WAN management needs.
●
Lower mean time to repair (MTTR): One vendor means one support center to decrease troubleshooting
time and eliminate blaming among vendors.
●
Software parity: Cisco Catalyst 2960 and Catalyst 3560-E software parity enables IT to certify and deploy
the same services at the main and branch offices.
●
Single maintenance contract: A Cisco SMARTnet
®
contract covers both the router and the Cisco
EtherSwitch module.
●
Feature, schedule, and roadmap alignment: The features, schedule, and roadmap of the Cisco Enhanced
EtherSwitch Service Module and Cisco Catalyst 2960 and Catalyst 3560-E Switches are aligned to provide a
consistent user experience and to help ensure that no new hardware is required to support the latest
innovations.
●
Easy upgrades: Cisco Enhanced EtherSwitch Service Modules run their own Cisco IOS® Software image
and can be upgraded independently of the Cisco IOS Software release on the host router.
●
Fewer components: Fewer power supplies, fans, etc. results in fewer failures and less downtime.
●
Mean time before failure (MTBF): The MTBF is at least double that of a standalone switch.
Q.
What platforms support the Cisco Enhanced EtherSwitch Service Module, and how many service
modules can I install in each platform?
A.
Table 1 lists the platforms that support the new service module and the maximum number of modules you can
install in each platform.
Table 1.
Platform Support
Model
Maximum
ES2/ES3
Ports
1 Single
1 Double
2 Single
1 1
Double
2 1
Double
3 Single
4 Single
Cisco 2911
24
X
Cisco 2921
50
X
X
Cisco 2951
50
X
X
X
Cisco 3925
74
X
X
X
X
X
Cisco 3945
98
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
