CCNA Discovery Designing and Supporting Computer Networks

Lab 3.3.2 Determining Router Hardware Options

Objectives
Determine the correct hardware options available on a specific Cisco device. Determine which hardware options on a specific Cisco device are scalable.

Expected Results and Success Criteria

Before starting this lab, read through the tasks that you are expected to perform. What do you expect the result of performing these tasks will be?

How is an understanding of networking device hardware capabilities useful in network administration?

How does a network administrator know what hardware capabilities a networking device possesses?

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CCNA Discovery Designing and Supporting Computer Networks Background / Preparation

When considering expanding or upgrading a network, it is not always necessary to completely replace existing network devices. Some devices may be capable of being individually upgraded or expanded. In this lab, you examine the hardware features of a Cisco 1841 Integrated Services Router and determine if it is suitable for upgrading to meet the potential requirements of a planned network expansion. In the FilmCompany case study, there is a need to consider how the existing 1841 routers can be upgraded to reduce the cost of the network upgrade. A physical examination of the router will be performed as well as an examination of its technical documentation. The examination details will be recorded for use in the planning and design of the network upgrade. This lab is based on the 1841 ISR. Any router platform that supports adding hardware modules can be substituted for the 1841. The search criteria and results will vary accordingly.

Task 1: Inspect a Cisco 1841 ISR

Step 1: Physically inspect the external features of the router
Examine the router. In the table below, identify and match each item number in the figure with the description. In addition, record the number of each interface and port on the router with the description.

Item Description 9 6 3 10 11 2 7 CompactFlash (CF) LED KensingtonTM security slot Slot 0 (WIC, VWICdata only, or HWIC) AIM LED Fast Ethernet interfaces and LEDs 2 On/Off switch Slot 1 (WIC, VWICdata only, or HWIC)

Item 13 1 4 5 12 8

Description Chassis ground connection Input power connection Console port 1 USB port 1 Aux port 1 CompactFlash memory card slot

Is a module installed in Slot 0? __________ Answer varies If yes, record the module and interface(s) type.
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CCNA Discovery Designing and Supporting Computer Networks

How many Fast Ethernet interfaces does the router have? _______ 2 WIC-2T two serial interfaces Is a module installed in Slot 1? __________ Answer varies If yes, record the module and interface(s) type. Answer varies Which of the modules and ports have the potential to be upgraded to improve the router's capabilities? Slot 0 and Slot 1, flash card slot

Step 2: Use IOS show commands to inspect the router

NOTE: If the PC used in this lab is also connected to your Academy LAN or to the Internet, ensure that you record the cable connections and TCP/IP settings so that these can be restored at the conclusion of the lab. a. Referring to the topology diagram, connect the console (or rollover) cable to the console port on the router and the other cable end to the host computer with a DB-9 or DB-25 adapter to the COM 1 port. Ensure that power has been applied to both the host computer and router. b. Establish a HyperTerminal or other terminal emulation program connection to the router. c. From the privileged EXEC mode prompt of the terminal, issue show run and show flash: commands. Record the number and type of interfaces. Typical results are shown. interface FastEthernet 0/0 interface FastEthernet 0/1 interface Serial 0/0/0 interface Serial 0/0/1 interface VLAN1 Record the details of the memory (DRAM, flash) modules. Flash 32 MB SDRAM 128 MB

Step 3: Compare the physical and IOS inspections

Are there any differences between the physical and IOS inspections? __________ If yes, explain the reason for any differences and solutions.

Observed differences could be due to the IOS having features implemented in the software that do not have the hardware module installed, or loopback interfaces may be configured. If an installed hardware interface does not appear in the configuration, it may be faulty or may not be correctly installed. In some cases, slots must be filled consecutively; in other cases, certain module types can only be installed into specified slots.
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CCNA Discovery Designing and Supporting Computer Networks Task 2: Examine 1841 Router Hardware Options
After establishing the current hardware status of the router, examine the technical documentation to determine the potential for upgrading and growth.

Step 1: Access the Cisco.com documentation

a. Go to the website http://www.cisco.com. b. In the Quick Links pane on the right, select Documentation. c. Under Select a category, click Routers. Under Select a product, click the Cisco 1800 Series Integrated Services Routers link. d. Review the documentation links displayed. e. Under Product Literature, click the Data Sheets link. Note the range of data sheet documentation available. f. Click Cisco 1800 Series Integrated Services Routers: Cisco 1841 Router (Modular) .

Step 2: Record the router hardware information

a. Read through the Cisco 1800 Series Integrated Services Routers: Cisco 1841 Router (Modular) document, noting the structure and format of the information. b. From Table 1, Architecture Features and Benefits of Cisco 1841 Router, record the following information: The number of different modules and interface cards that are supported: >30 Default memory capacity: _______________________________________ 32 MB of flash and 128 MB of synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM) Cisco IOS versions supported: ____________________________________ 12.3T, 12.4, 12.4T Feature Sets and Beyond c. From Table 5, Product Specifications of Cisco 1841 Router , locate and record the following specifications from the Architecture section.

DRAM Type DRAM capacity Flash memory Flash memory capacity Modular slots-total Modular slots for WAN access Modular slots for HWICs Modular slots for voice support

Synchronous dual in-line memory module (DIMM) DRAM Default: 128 MB, Maximum: 384 MB External compact Flash Default: 32 MB, Maximum: 128 MB Two Two Two None-The Cisco 1841 does not support voice

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CCNA Discovery Designing and Supporting Computer Networks

Analog and digital voice support VoIP support Onboard Ethernet ports Onboard USB ports Console port Auxiliary port Onboard Advanced Integration Module (AIM) slots No Voice-over-IP (VoIP) pass-through only Two 10/100 One (1.1) One-up to 115.2 kbps One-up to 115.2 kbps One (internal)

d. From the Table 6, Modules and Interface Cards the Cisco 1841 Router Supports , list the 10 different categories of interface card (WIC) supported by the 1841 platform. Ethernet Switching HWICs Cable HWICs Wireless Access Point HWICs Serial HWICs/WICs CSU/DSU WICs ISDN BRI WICs DSL HWICs/WICs Wireless WAN 3G HWIC Analog Modem WICs T1, E1, and G.703 VWICs e. From Table 6, what feature does the Advanced Integration Module (AIM) enable to be installed in an 1841 router? _________________________________________ VPN encryption

Step 3: Consider possible hardware options

The 1841 ISR has removable and interchangeable modules. Various optional modules can be installed in the router to provide specific capabilities. These modules are installed either by inserting them into slots on the chassis, or by opening the chassis and plugging them into connectors inside. Flash memory and interface cards fit into slots on the chassis and are installed and removed without opening the chassis. There are three types of interface cards for the 1800 series modular routers: WAN interface cards (WICs) Voice WAN interface cards (VWICs - in data mode only on the Cisco 1841)

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CCNA Discovery Designing and Supporting Computer Networks

High-speed WAN interface cards (HWICs)

The following components plug into connectors inside the chassis and are installed and removed only by opening the chassis: Advanced Integration Module (AIM) Synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM) small-outline dual in-line memory module (SODIMM) Router Memory Specifications: Description SDRAM Flash memory Boot/NVRAM Specification 128 MB, expandable to 384 MB; default is 128 MB 32, 64, or 128 MB; default is 32 MB 2/4 MB flash memory

Summarize the changes that are possible for this router. This information is important to have and consider when planning and designing the network upgrade. If the router is not at its limit of these features, candidates for upgrading could include: Flash memory (if larger IOS required) SDRAM Slot 1 Ethernet switch 4-port module Slot 1 WIC-2T - 2 serial interfaces Slot 1 Other WAN technology DSL/ISDN

Step 4: Clean up
Erase any configurations and reload the router. Disconnect and store the cabling. For PC hosts that are normally connected to other networks (such as the school LAN or to the Internet), reconnect the appropriate cabling and restore the TCP/IP settings.

Task 3: Reflection
Network device capabilities are continuously developing. Consider the advantages of a modular platform over that of a device with a fixed hardware platform.

Responses and discussion may vary. Key points may include: Modularity facilitates customization of a device to meet local network needs. Upgrading and replacement of modules reduces costs and time out of service. Modular devices provide flexible and scalable network design.

All contents are Copyright 1992-2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. This document is Cisco Public Information.

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