In this blog, we will take a look at the Services Performance Engine (SPE) supported on the Cisco 3900 series router. The SPE is a modular motherboard design that allows customers to upgrade their routers core functionality without performing a forklift upgrade. The concept is very similar to the modularity that has allowed the following routers and switches to persist for close to or over a decade:
•7200 series router input/output (I/O) module
•7500 series router – route switch processor (RSP) / versatile interface processor (VIP)
•6500 series switch – supervisor module (SUP)/switch fabric module (SFM)
The SPE provides the following slots:
•Packet Voice DSP Module – third generation (PVDM3)
PVDM3 modules replace the PVDM2 modules used in the 2800/3800 ISR routers
•Internal Service Module (ISM)
The ISM replaces the advanced integration module (AIM) used in the 2800/3800 ISR routers
•Enhanced high-speed WAN interface card (EHWIC)
EHWIC slots support newer EHWIC cards and the HWIC cards used in the 2800/3800 ISR routers.
At the time of this writing, there are only two SPE modules available:
3925 – C3900-SPE100/K9
3945 - C3900-SPE150/K9
In the next blog, I will continue our conversation on new ISR G2 router features.
Dennis Hartmann, CCIE No. 15651, is a consultant with www.highpoint.com and author of Implementing Cisco Unified Communications Manager, Part 1. Dennis is also a lead instructor at Global Knowledge. Dennis has various certifications, including the Cisco CCVP, CCSI, CCNP, CCIP, and the Microsoft MCSE. Dennis has various specializations including unified communications, data center, routing & switching, service provider (MPLS and optical). Dennis has worked for various Fortune 500 companies, including AT&T, Sprint, Merrill Lynch, KPMG, and Cabletron Systems. He lives with his wife and children in Hopewell Junction, New York.