Specifications

Ethernet Interface Processor (EIP) Installation and Configuration 5
Product Description
EIP Microcode
The EIP microcode (firmware) is a software image that provides card-specific software instructions.
A ROM component in socket U101 of the EIP module card contains the default EIP microcode. The
router supports downloadable microcode, which enables you to upgrade microcode versions by
downloading new microcode images, storing them in Flash memory, and instructing the system to
load an image from Flash instead of the default ROM image. You can store multiple images for an
interface type and, with a configuration command, instruct the system to load any one of them or the
default ROM image. All interfaces of the same type (EIP, HIP, and so on) will load the same
microcode image, either from the default ROM image or from a single image stored in Flash.
Although multiple microcode versions for a specific interface type can be stored concurrently in
Flash, only one image can load at startup. The show controller cxbus command displays the
currently loaded and running microcode version for each interface processor. The show
configuration EXEC command shows the current system instructions for loading microcode at
startup.
For a complete description of microcode and downloading procedures, refer to the section
“Upgrading Microcode” on page 31.
Ethernet Network Connections
The Ethernet ports on the EIP are standard 15-pin female AUI connectors that require an AUI or
transceiver cable with a 15-pin male connector. (See Figure 2.)
Figure 2 Ethernet AUI Plug and Receptacle
You will need an Ethernet transceiver to provide the interface between the EIP ports and the Ethernet
network. Most connections require a transceiver cable between the transceiver and the EIP.
(See Figure 3.) However, some unshielded twisted-pair (10BaseT) transceivers are compact enough
to connect directly to the EIP ports without impeding other connections. When planning your
installation and connections, be sure to consider the high density of ports on the EIP, its proximity
to other interface processors, and the size of any transceivers you plan to connect directly to the
ports. If possible, install the EIP in an interface processor slot between two unoccupied slots to
prevent the transceivers from overlapping the ports on adjacent interface processors.
H1447a