Chapter 5. Optional Router
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## Chapter 5. Optional Router

This chapter describes the function and physical components of the optional router module (also known as an R-brick) in the following sections:

- “Overview”

- “External Components”

- “Router Module Technical Specifications”

## Overview

The router module or R-brick is an eight-port 2U high option module that functions as a high-speed switch to route network packets between Altix 330 modules within a system. This creates a NUMAlink-4 interconnect fabric (as opposed to a module-to-module topology which is used in two-unit linked system configurations). The optional router is generally only used when there are three to eight modules interconnected as a single system image (up to 16 processors). Figure 5-1 shows a front view of the router.

Figure 2-5 illustrates the cabling of an optional router system using a block diagram. The section “Optional Router Configurations” in Chapter 2 details the cable connection points used in an optional router system.

The key component within the module is the router chip, an SGI custom-designed ASIC. The router chip is an eight-port crossbar that connects any input-link channel to any of the seven possible output-link channels (ports).

Figure 5-1. Front View of the Optional R-Brick

The router has the following features:

- Eight NUMAlink-4 channels

- One USB port for system controller support

- One L1 controller and LCD display

- One 9-pin console connector

- Two hot-pluggable cooling fans (not customer replaceable)

Figure 5-2 shows a block diagram of the router.

Figure 5-2. Router Functional Block Diagram

## External Components

This section describes the external components that are located on the front and rear panels of the router.

### Front Panel Components

The router contains the following front panel items (as shown in Figure 5-1):

- L1 display. The L1 display is a 55.7 mm X 32 mm backlit liquid crystal display (LCD) that displays system messages. It displays two lines with a maximum of 12 characters on each line.

- On/Off switch with LED. Press this button to turn on the router internal components. You can also turn on the router internal components at a system console.

- Three LEDs:

  - On/Off switch LED. This LED illuminates green when the router internal components are on and turns off when they are off.

  - Service required LED. This LED illuminates orange to indicate that an item is broken or not operating properly (for example, a fan is off), but the router is still operating.

  - Failure LED. This LED illuminates red to indicate that a system failure has occurred and the router is down.

- Fans. Two hot-pluggable fans provide N+1 redundant cooling.

### Rear Panel Components

The router has the following rear panel items (see Figure 5-3):

- PWR (power) connector. This connects the router to the power outlet, (120 or 220V autosensing).

- Links Altix 330 to NUMAlink connectors (A through H or 1 through 8). These link connectors connect the router to the Altix 330 compute or option modules to form an interconnect fabric.

- L1 port connector. This connects the internal USB hub of the router to an optional console/controller. The internal USB hub can receive the USB signals from the controller via this port and distribute these signals to the L1 of the router.

- Console connector. This serial port provides optional connection to a terminal for system control purposes.

  Figure 5-3. Rear View of Router

- Link connector LEDs. Each NUMAlink connector has two LEDs, as follows:

  - The yellow LED illuminates to indicate that both the router and the brick to which it is connected are powered on.

  - The green LED illuminates when a link has been established between the router and the brick to which it is connected.

## Router Module Technical Specifications

Table 5-1 lists the technical specifications of the router.

Table 5-1. Router Technical Specifications

Characteristic | Specification
--- | ---
Height | 3.3 in. (83.82 mm)
Width | 17.38 in. (441.45 mm)
Depth | 27.5 in. (698.50 mm)
Weight | 20 lb (9.1 kg)
Heat dissipation | 205 Btu/hr maximum
Input power | (~ 60 W)

Table 5-2 lists the specifications of the router ports.

Table 5-2. Router Port Specifications

Port | Quantity | Peak Transfer Rate
--- | --- | ---
link | 8 | 3.2 GB/s each direction
L1 | 1 | 12 Mbits/s

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Chapter 4. PCI and PCI-X Option Module |  | Chapter 6. Installing and Removing Customer-replaceable Units