Cisco 3700 serial connection

[wabob]

We recently put in a new Cisco 3700 router for our WAN connectivity. I noticed that the serial interfaces are not the Cisco-proprietary DB60 that I'm used to, but a new (and very small) connection. What is this new connection called?

 

[ChrisAC]

I think that it may be the HSSI interface (High Speed Serial Interface). That rings a bell but I can't remember where I came across them.

Chris.

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Chris A.C, CCNA, CCSA
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[gwildfire]

or it could be smart serial the same as the old db-60 but you need a new cable called smart serial cable. The interface can go at speeds upto 8Mb/s of if you have HSSI 55Mb/s. The difference between the 2 is the length, the Smart serial is about 5-6 cm in length and the Hssi is about double this. if you do a show version on your router what interfaces does it tell you?

here is a picture of a wic-2t which has 2 smart serial ports

http://www.cablestoreusa.com/shop/Product.asp?sku=CISCOR+WIC-2T

and here is what the hssi looks like

http://www.discountechnology.com/products/NM-1HSSI/Cisco _NM-1HSSI_for_sale.htm

Visit

http://www.Cisco-Engineer.com

for free Cisco rack access.

 

[wabob]

When I do a show version, it shows the two serial interfaces as Serial 0/0 and Serial 0/1, both stating Hardware is GT96K serial. The module on the 3700 router says WIC-2T.

You are correct, it is a "smart serial" connector. Is there any advantage to this versus the standard DB-60 serial connector?

 

[lambent]

hmm increase in port density within a single WIC (you only have 1 DB60 in a WIC due to its size but now you can have 2 SS in a WIC as they are thinner and smaller)

 

[gwildfire]

Yeah the increase in port density plus the increase in cost. The cables actually cost slightly more than a standard DB-60

Visit

http://www.Cisco-Engineer.com

for free Cisco rack access.