Specifications

65
Release Notes for Cisco 7000 Family for Cisco IOS Release 12.1 T
78-10811-05
New and Changed Information
NPE-400
Platforms: Cisco 7200 VXR routers
NPE-400 is a new version of network processing engine for Cisco 7200 VXR routers with the following
enhancements:
• RM7000 microprocessor that operates at an internal clock speed of 350 MHz
• Up to 512 MB ECC SDRAM
• 100 MHz SysAD and memory bus speed
• 4 MB Layer 3 cache
The NPE-400 leverages technology from the NPE-225 and NSE-1 to provide a higher performance NPE
card.
OC-12 Dynamic Packet Transport Interface Processor
Platforms: Cisco 7500 Series Routers
The OC-12c Dynamic Packet Transport (DPT) Interface Processor is available on Cisco 7500 series
routers. The DPT is an OC-12c interface that uses second-generation Versatile Interface Processor
(VIP2) technology to provide a shared IP-over-SONET capability and it complies with IEEE 802.3
specifications for multicast and broadcast media. The DPTIP assembly consists of a VIP2 with a
dual-width DPT interface processor permanently attached to it.
One-Port Enhanced ESCON Channel Port Adapter
Platforms: Cisco 7200 series routers
The High Performance Enterprise Systems Connection (ESCON) port adapter provides a single channel
interface for Cisco 7200-series routers. In some situations, this interface can eliminate the need for a
separate front-end processor (FEP). The HP ESCON PA contains one ESCON I/O connector.
The HP ESCON PA is a high-speed port adapter. A Fast Ethernet port adapter is an example of another
type of high-speed port adapter. A single Cisco 7200-series router can support up to three high-speed
port adapters.
The HP ESCON PA provides a single channel attachment interface for connecting Cisco 7200 series
routers to an ESCON director or to a mainframe channel.
A mainframe channel (referred to as a channel) is an intelligent processor that manages the protocol on
the communications media and controls the data transfer to and from the main central processing unit
(CPU) storage. Devices called input/output processors (IOPs) communicate between the host CPU and
the channel. One IOP controls multiple channels. There is no relationship between the number of CPUs
and the number of IOPs.
The channel relieves the mainframe CPU of direct communication with input/output (I/O) devices,
which saves processing cycles and allows data processing and communications tasks to run
concurrently. Channels use one or more channel paths as the links between mainframes and I/O devices.
I/O devices are connected directly to control units, which provide the logical capabilities required to
operate and control the I/O devices.
For more information see the PA-4C-E 1-Port High-Performance ESCON Channel Port Adapter
Installation and Configuration guide.