Specifications

Interface Processor Installation and Configuration Guide

78-4211-02

Installation Prerequisites

This section provides important prerequisites you should observe regarding interface processor

software, hardware, and microcode.

• Hardware Prerequisites, page 16

• Software Prerequisites, page 16

• Microcode Prerequisites, page 16

• List of Required Parts and Tools, page 17

Hardware Prerequisites

Interface processors operate in the Cisco 7000 or Cisco 7500 series routers with either of the following

processor types:

• Interface processors operate with the CxBus in the Cisco 7000 series routers with either of the

following processor types:

–

Route Processor (RP) and Switch Processor (SP) (or Silicon Switch Processor [SSP])

combination

–

7000 Series Route Processor (RSP7000) and 7000 Series Chassis Interface (RSP7000CI)

combination

• Interface processors also operate with the CyBus in the Cisco 7500 series routers, which use the

Route Switch Processor (RSP).

Software Prerequisites

For the specific minimum software requirements for your interface processor, refer to the Software

Advisor at http://www.cisco.com/cgi-bin/Support/CompNav/Index.pl, and the installation and conﬁguration

guide for your speciﬁc interface processor at

http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/product/core/cis7505/interpro/index.htm.

Microcode Prerequisites

Microcode, also known as firmware, is a set of processor-specific software instructions that enables and

manages the features and functions of a specific processor type. At system startup or reload, the system

loads the microcode for each processor type present in the system.

The interface processor microcode boot image resides in a Flash memory device on the interface

processor motherboard. The entire interface processor microcode image is delivered on a Flash memory

card, on floppy disks, or is available via download from Cisco.com.

New microcode is released to enable new features, improve performance, or fix bugs in earlier versions.

The Cisco 7000 series and Cisco 7500 series routers feature downloadable software and microcode for

most upgrades. These features enable you to download new (upgraded) images remotely, store the

images in router memory, and load the new images at system startup without having to physically access

the router. You can store multiple versions for a specific processor type in Flash memory, and use

configuration commands to specify which version the system should load at startup. All interfaces of the

same type (for example, all CIP2s) use the same microcode image.