Explanation of Alcatel 3HE03685AA 2-Port

Alcatel 3HE03685AA 2-Port 10GBase Ethernet MDA-XP is a high-performance, 2-port 10 Gigabit Ethernet interface card designed for Alcatel-Lucent (now Nokia) 7750 Service Router (SR) and 7950 Extensible Routing System (XRS) platforms. The CLEI code IPPAABHBAA is a unique identifier for this specific hardware variant.

An MDA (Modular Port Adapter) is a field-replaceable module that provides the physical network interfaces for the router's IOM (Input/Output Module).

  Key Functions & Specifications  

Primary Function: To provide two high-speed 10 Gigabit Ethernet ports for network aggregation and core routing applications. It is an "XP" variant, indicating Extended Performance for enhanced features and capacity.

Compatibility: Designed for specific slots on the following routers:

Alcatel-Lucent 7750 SR-7, SR-12, SR-12e, SR-14

Alcatel-Lucent 7950 XRS-20, XRS-20e, XRS-40

Interfaces:

• Ports: 2
• Speed: 10 Gbps per port (10GBase-R)

Connectors: SFP+ cages. The actual physical interface (fiber type, copper, wavelength) is determined by the SFP+ transceiver inserted into the cage (e.g., 10GBASE-SR, 10GBASE-LR, 10GBASE-T).

  Performance & Features:  

Extended Performance (XP): Offers enhanced scalability for features like ACLs (Access Control Lists), QoS (Quality of Service), and deep packet inspection compared to standard MDAs.

Hardware-Based Processing: Offloads processing from the main router CPU for high-throughput, low-latency forwarding.

Hot-Swappable: Can be inserted and removed without powering down the entire router chassis.

  Deployment Scenarios  

Network Aggregation: Aggregating traffic from multiple lower-speed (1G/10G) access links in a service provider or large enterprise network.

Data Center Interconnect (DCI): Providing high-speed links between data centers.

Core Routing: Acting as a high-speed interface within the core of an IP/MPLS network.

Peering Links: Connecting to internet exchange points or other networks.

  Configuration & Software  

Operating System: Configured using the Alcatel-Lucent Service Router Operating System (SR OS) CLI or management systems like NFM-T (Network Function Manager for Transport).

Licensing: While the hardware provides the physical ports, specific features and the ability to bring the ports online may require a software license on the router.

  Troubleshooting & Notes  

Link Issues: Problems are most commonly related to the SFP+ transceiver or the fiber/copper cable. Verify transceiver compatibility and cleanliness of fiber connectors.

Performance: Ensure the router's IOM and fabric capacity can handle the aggregate throughput of all installed MDAs.

Recognition: If the router does not recognize the MDA, ensure it is fully seated in its slot and that the router's SR OS version supports this hardware.

  Conclusion  

The 3HE03685AA is a robust and high-performance 10GE interface card for the powerful 7750/7950 router series. Its "XP" designation makes it suitable for demanding environments where advanced features and high scalability are required. For network operators, it is a key component for building high-capacity aggregation and core network links.