This chapter describes the function and physical components of the R-brick in the following sections:
The R-brick (also referred to as a router brick or metarouter) is a high-speed switch that routes network packets between Cx-bricks. The R-brick consists of eight ports that can connect to Cx-bricks or to other R-bricks.
The R-brick has the following features:
An SGI custom-designed router ASIC, which is an eight-port crossbar that connects any input-link channel to any of the seven possible output-link channels (see Figure 7-2). The NUMAlink channels operate at 1.6 GB/s (each direction).
One USB port for system controller support.
One L1 controller and LCD display.
Two hot-pluggable cooling fans.
This section describes the external components that are located on the front and rear panels of the R-brick.
The R-brick contains the following front-panel components (see Figure 7-3):
L1 display. The L1 display is a 55.7 mm X 32 mm backlit liquid crystal display (LCD) that displays system messages. It displays two lines with a maximum of 12 characters on each line.
On/Off switch with LED. Press this button to turn on the R-brick internal components. You can also turn on the R-brick internal components at a system console or at the L2 controller touch display.
Three LEDs:
On/Off switch LED. This LED illuminates green when the R-brick internal components are on.
Service required LED. This LED illuminates orange to indicate that an item is broken or not operating properly (for example, a fan is off), but the R-brick is still operating.
Failure LED. This LED illuminates red to indicate that a system failure has occurred and the R-brick is not operating.
Fans. Two hot-swappable fans provide N+1 redundant cooling.
Warning: To prevent personal injury, or damage to the R-brick, the hot-swappable fans can be installed only by a trained SGI system support engineer (SSE).
The R-brick has the following rear-panel components (see Figure 7-4):
PWR (power) connector. This connector connects the R-brick to a power bay, which provides 12-VDC and 48-VDC power to the R-brick.
Power switch. Move the power switch to the 1 position to power on the L1 controller within the R-brick, and to the 0 position to power off the L1 controller.
48-VDC and 12-VDC LEDs. The power switch must be in the ON (1) position for these LEDs to be on. The 12-VDC LED illuminates green when the L1 controller is powered on. The 48-VDC LED illuminates green when the rest of the R-brick internal components are powered on.
Links R TO R connectors (1, 6, 7, and 8, or A, F, G, and H). These link connectors connect the R-brick to other R-bricks or Cx-bricks in the network fabric.
Links R to R and C to R connectors (2, 3, 4, and 5 or B, C, D, and E). These link connectors connect the R-brick to other R-bricks or Cx-bricks in the network fabric.
Link connector LEDs. Each NUMAlink connector has two LEDs, as follows:
The yellow LED illuminates to indicate that both the R-brick and the brick to which it is connected are powered on.
The green LED illuminates when a link has been established between the R-brick and the brick to which it is connected.
L1 port connector. This connector connects the internal USB hub of the R-brick to the L2 controller. The internal USB hub receives the USB signals from the L2 controller via this port and distributes these signals to the internal L1 controller of the R-brick.
Table 7-1 lists the technical specifications of the R-brick.
Table 7-1. R-brick Technical Specifications
Characteristic | Specification |
|---|---|
Height | 3.3 in. (83.82 mm) |
Width | 17.38 in. (441.45 mm) |
Depth | 27.5 in. (698.50 mm) |
Weight | 20 lb (9.1 kg) |
Input power | 48 VDC (~ 60 W) |
Table 7-2 lists the specifications of the R-brick ports.
Table 7-2. R-brick Port Specifications
Port | Quantity | Peak Transfer Rate |
|---|---|---|
link | 8 | 1.6 GB/s each direction |
L1 | 1 | 12 Mbits/s |