Specifications

3-2
PA-T3+ Serial Port Adapter Installation and Configuration
OL-3505-03
Chapter 3 Removing and Installing Port Adapters
Online Insertion and Removal
Figure 3-1 Handling a Port Adapter
Online Insertion and Removal
Several platforms support online insertion and removal (OIR) of port adapters. Cisco 7200 series routers
support OIR for all port adapter types, therefore you do not have to power down routers when removing
and replacing a PA-T3+ on Cisco 7200 series routers, Cisco 7301 routers, or Cisco 7401ASR routers.
Although the Catalyst 6000 family FlexWAN module, the VIP, and the Cisco 7304 PCI Port Adapter
Carrier Card support online insertion and removal, individual port adapters do not. To replace
port adapters, you must first remove the FlexWAN module, the VIP, or the Cisco 7304 PCI Port Adapter
Carrier Card from the router and then replace port adapters as required. If a blank port adapter is installed
on the FlexWAN module, the VIP, or the Cisco 7304 PCI Port Adapter Carrier Card on which you want
to install a new port adapter, you must first remove the FlexWAN module, the VIP, or the Cisco 7304
PCI Port Adapter Carrier Card from the router and then remove the blank port adapter.
Caution To prevent system problems, do not remove port adapters from the FlexWAN module, the VIP, and the
Cisco 7304 PCI Port Adapter Carrier Card or attempt to install other port adapters when the system is
operating. To install or replace port adapters, first remove the FlexWAN module, the VIP, or the Cisco
7304 PCI Port Adapter Carrier Card from the router.
It is wise to gracefully shut down the system before removing a port adapter that has active traffic moving
through it. Removing a module while traffic is flowing through the ports can cause system disruption.
Once the module is inserted, the ports can be brought back up.
Note As you disengage the module from the router or switch, online insertion and removal (OIR)
administratively shuts down all active interfaces in the module.
OIR allows you to install and replace modules while the router is operating; you do not need to notify
the software or shut down the system power, although you should not run traffic through the module you
are removing while it is being removed. OIR is a method that is seamless to end users on the network,
maintains all routing information, and preserves sessions.
The following is a functional description of OIR for background information only; for specific
procedures for installing and replacing a module in a supported platform, refer to the “Port Adapter
Removal and Installation” section on page 3-4.
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Metal carrier
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