[nsp] 7609 IOS

[sthaug@nethelp.no]

> > That's our conclusion too. Since the GE-WAN OSM port price is rather
> > high compared to normal 6516 or 6816 ports, we try to only use them
> > when we have to. Currently we're testing a solution based on 6516 to
> > connect to lots of other switches, and then an external connection
> > from a 6516 port to a GE-WAN port in order to put only those VLANs
> > we need into VRFs.
> 
> I'm no hardware guru on the 6500/7600 platforms, but I would assume that
> is because of the fact that non-OSM modules have their non-L2 packets
> switched (well, actually "rewritten") by the PFC2, whose ASICs aren't
> MPLS-capable? While the OSM modules, who do dCEF directly on the
> linecards handle the labels there. (Whether they are using the PXF's or
> something else for this, someone @cisco.com can probably answer...)

The documentation says that the OSMs use PXFs. In any case, whether PXF
or additional buffering, it's rather hard to believe that there are only
*technical* reasons for the $45000 list price for a 4 port GE-WAN OSM
vs. $30000 for a 16-port 6816 (DFC, does the switching on the line card).

Steinar Haug, Nethelp consulting, sthaug@nethelp.no