Introduction

The Cisco 3600 platform offers a wide variety of serial connectivity modules to accommodate the range of application needs in customer networks. The serial network module family for the Cisco 3600 series assures customers that they can choose a serial connectivity solution that fits their requirements. Available as network modules or WAN interface cards, serial connectivity options offer several port densities, synchronous and asynchronous alternatives, and integrated channel service unit/data service unit (CSU/DSU). As modular components, they are easily and inexpensively field upgradable as customer requirements change.

Available serial connectivity components for the Cisco 3600 series include:

Network Modules

• NM-1HSSI—One-port High Speed Serial Interface (HSSI)

• NM-4T—Four-port serial

• NM-4A/S—Four-port asynchronous synchronous serial

• NM-8A/S—Eight-port asynchronous /synchronous serial

• NM-16A—High-density asynchronous

• NM-32A—High-density asynchronous

WAN Interface Cards

• WIC-1T—One-port synchronous serial

• WIC-1DSU-56K4—One-port, four-wire 56-kbps CSU/DSU

• WIC-1DSU-T1—One-port, T1/fractional T1 CSU/DSU

One-Port High Speed Serial Interface (NM-1HSSI)

The NM-1HSSI is a single port, high-speed network module that provides connectivity to a Wide Area Network. Demand for high capacity corporate backbonds, high-speed Internet access, Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), and trunking connections for service provider internetworking has led to an increase demand for clear channel DS3 and E3 connections

The NM-1HSSI Network Module supports speeds up to 52 Mbps on a Cisco 3640 and Cisco 3620. The Cisco 3640 is capable of supporting up to three NM-1HSSI in a single chassis with the restriction that the maximum bi-directional throughput of the Cisco 3640 is 45 Mbps. The Cisco 3620 supports only one NM-1HSSI network module. The NM-1HSSI also supports fractional T3/E3 speeds from 56 kbps to 52 Mbps.

Four-Port Network Module (NM-4T)

The NM-4T serial network module has four synchronous serial interfaces. The network module supports a total full-duplex throughput of 8 megabits per second (Mbps), which can be realized over one port (at 8 Mbps) or across all four ports (at 2 Mbps on each port).

The NM-4T module in any network environment delivers very low price per port and provides higher performance than comparable third-party solutions. For instance, a small or medium-sized Internet service provider (ISP) with high serial density requirements may find this solution very cost-effective per subscriber.

LEDs—Network module status indicator, five Status LEDs for each serial port, including data send/receive indication.

Network interfaces—Four serial interfaces.

Four- and Eight-Port Asynchronous/Synchronous Serial Network Modules (NM-4A/S, NM-8A/S)

The two asynchronous/synchronous serial network modules available for the Cisco 3600 series provide flexible dial support, with each port configurable in synchronous or asynchronous mode, offering mixed-media dial support in a single chassis. In a typical WAN aggregation application, the Cisco 3640 platform can support up to 24 low-speed (up to 128 kbps) synchronous or asynchronous (up to 115.2 kbps) serial lines.

LEDs—Network Module status indicator, five status LEDs for each serial port, including data send/receive indication.

Network Interfaces—Four low-speed serial interfaces.

High-Density Asynchronous Network Modules

The NM-16A and NM-32A network modules provide flexible, high-density asynchronous connectivity at a competitive price per port and higher performance than comparable third-party solutions. The modules support V.34 speeds at up to 4x compression (134.4 kbps) over the asynchronous connection. Three examples where this module can be deployed follow:

• Small to medium-sized power branch offices where remote users require modem dial access; a fully configured Cisco 3640 chassis with three async network modules connected to the modem rack (with optional custom cables) enables connectivity for up to 96 dial-in users

• Medium branch offices that require a high-density terminal server; a fully configured Cisco 3640 chassis with three async network modules connected to the modem rack (with optional custom cables) enables connectivity for up to 96 terminal connection

• Telemetry applications, connecting a NM-32A module to private branch exchange (PBX) serial ports, data collection equipment, or router consoles

Cabling—The NM-16A and NM-32A modules support two or four custom "octopus" cables. Each cable terminates eight ports, with optional physical endpoints of RJ-45 or DB-25. A NM-16A module requires two custom cables, and the NM-32A requires four custom cables.

Cables

• CAB-OCTAL-ASYNC (requires end connectors)

• CAB-OCTAL-MODEM

• CAB-OCTAL-KIT

End Connectors

• CAB-25AS-MMOD (for modems)

• CAB-25AS-FDTE (for terminals)

Special cables are available from U.S. Robotics and Microcom to connect NM-16A and NM-32A network modules to their modem racks.

Cisco alarm status monitors (ASM) owners who are seeking to replace older terminal servers with a Cisco 3600 platform will require an available adapter cable to convert from RJ-12 to RJ-45 connections.

LEDs—Network module status indicator, status LED for each serial port.

Network interfaces—16/32 low-speed asynchronous interfaces per network module.

Single-Port Serial WAN Interface Card (WIC-1T)

The single-port serial WIC-1T provides low-density, high-speed remote or branch office connectivity without sacrificing an entire network module slot. Compatible with a Cisco 1600, the WAN interface card is configured within a mixed-media network module (NM-1E2W, NM-2E2W, NM-1E1R2W) in the Cisco 3600.

The WAN interface card enables true multifunction configurations within a single Cisco 3600 chassis. For example, a Cisco 3620 platform configured for dial aggregation may have eight Integrated Services Digital Network Basic Rate Interface (ISDN BRI) ports, two Ethernet LAN ports, and two high-speed serial links via WIC-1T cards.

LEDs—WAN interface card status indicator and connection indicator.

Network interfaces—One serial interface.

Single-Port, Four-Wire, 56-kbps DSU/CSU WAN Interface Card (WIC-1DSU-56K4)

The single-port, four-wire, WIC-1DSU-56K4 card combines a DSU/CSU into a single card with 64-kbps maximum throughput speed. DSU/CSU interface devices are always required to interface between the synchronous serial ports of a router and the telco/Post, Telephone, and Telegraph (PTT)-supplied data communications circuit. A DSU is a device used in digital transmission for connecting data terminal equipment to a digital transmission service. A CSU is a digital interface device that connects end-user equipment to a local digital telephone loop.

The four-wire DSU WAN interface card performs CSU/DSU functions for both dedicated (DDS) and four-wire switched 56-kbps data networks. Compatible with the Cisco 1600 series, this WAN interface card module provides an all-rate synchronous interface to any dedicated DDS point-to-point or multipoint network compatible with the AT&T Publication 62310 standard. This WAN interface card module also supports four-wire switched 56 data services (such as AT&T Accunet 56 or Sprint VPN-56), plus many switched data services offered by local exchange carriers.

This WAN interface card provides a compact, self-contained unit without the clutter of external devices and cables. Intelligent DSU/CSU modules are remotely manageable from a centralized location using Cisco's built-in Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) to speed problem resolution and reduce onsite visits. These benefits make the WIC-1DSU-56K4 in Cisco 3600 series routers an ideal solution for unattended remote sites or sites without an information systems (IS) or telecommunications professional.

Cabling—RJ-45 male cable (not included).

LEDs—WAN interface card status indicator, five Status LEDs, including send/receive data, loopback, alarm, and carrier.

Network interfaces—One switched 56/64-kbps interface.

Single-port, T1/Fractional T1 DSU/CSU WAN Interface Card (WIC-1DSU-T1)

The Cisco Systems' T1 data service unit/channel service unit (DSU/CSU) WAN interface card is an integrated, fully managed DSU/CSU for T1 or fractional T1 service. Supported on the Cisco 1600, 1720, 2600, and 3600 series routers, it provides a cost-effective router-DSU/CSU combination.

Key Features

• T1 or fractional T1 network interface

• N X 64 kbps or N X 56 kbps, nonchannelized data rates (N = 1 to 24)

• Standards based, including ANSI T1.403 and AT&T Publication 62411

• Full management features

  • Configuration—Capability for remote configuration via Telnet from Cisco IOS^® CLI

  • Monitoring—Router and DSU/CSU manageable as single SNMP entity; extensive DSU/CSU statistics provided by Cisco IOS CLI

  • Troubleshooting—Extensive loopbacks (including manual button for network line loopback), bit error rate tester (BERT) test patterns, alarm counters, and performance reports—all of which are accessible from Cisco IOS CLI. LEDs for carrier detect, loopback, and alarm functions