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PA-2FE-TX and PA-2FE-FX Two-Port Fast Ethernet Port Adapter Installation and Configuration
OL-3474-06
Chapter 3 Removing and Installing Port Adapters
Online Insertion and Removal
Figure 3-1
Handling a Port Adapter
Online Insertion and Removal
Online insertion and removal (OIR) allows you to install and replace modules while the router is
operating; you do not need to notify the software or shut down the system power, although you should
not run traffic through the module you are removing while it is being removed. OIR is a method that is
seamless to end users on the network, maintains all routing information, and preserves sessions.
Several platforms support OIR of port adapters; therefore, you do not have to power down routers when
removing and replacing a PA-2FE in the Cisco 7100 series, Cisco 7200 series routers, the
Cisco uBR7200 series routers, the Cisco 7301 router, or the Cisco 7401ASR router.
Although the Cisco 7304 PCI port adapter carrier card and VIP support online insertion and removal,
individual port adapters do not. To replace port adapters, you must first remove the Cisco 7304 PCI port
adapter carrier card or VIP from the router and then install or replace port adapters as required. If a blank
port adapter is installed in the Cisco 7304 PCI port adapter carrier card or VIP on which you want to
install a new port adapter, you must first remove the Cisco 7304 PCI port adapter carrier card or VIP
from the router and then remove the blank port adapter.
Caution
To prevent system problems, do not remove port adapters from the Cisco 7304 PCI port adapter carrier
card or Cisco 7500 VIP motherboard or attempt to install other port adapters when the system is
operating.
It is wise to gracefully shut down the system before removing a port adapter that has active traffic moving
through it. Removing a module while traffic is flowing through the ports can cause system disruption.
Once the module is inserted, the ports can be brought back up.
Note
As you disengage the module from the router or switch, online insertion and removal (OIR)
administratively shuts down all active interfaces in the module.
The following is a functional description of OIR for background information only; for specific
procedures for installing and replacing a module in a supported platform, refer to the
“Port Adapter
Removal and Installation” section on page 3-3
.
Each module has a bus connector that connects it to the router. The connector has a set of tiered pins in
three lengths that send specific signals to the system as they make contact with the module. The system
assesses the signals it receives and the order in which it receives them to determine if a module is being
removed from or introduced to the system. From these signals, the system determines whether to
reinitialize a new interface or to shut down a disconnected interface.
H6420
Metal carrier
Printed circuit board
