[c-nsp] SPA V1 vs V2

[Rob Shakir]

On 26 Oct 2009, at 21:48, Tony wrote:

> Hi all,
>
> I curious of what the actual difference is between SPA-2XGE &  
> SPA-2X1GE-V2.
>
> I'm aware this question has been asked before, but the answer was  
> just a reference to the product spec sheets which doesn't really  
> tell me what the difference between the two products are.
>
> What I can tell by reading the spec sheets is that the v2 has SFP  
> AND RJ45 connectors, while v1 only has SFP.
>
> If I then look at the detailed list of "features and functions" and  
> compare them I can see that the v2 card lists the following  
> additional features:
> - 802.1ad QinQ termination
> - 8000 VLANs per SPA (instead of 4000 in v1)

This is for platforms other than 6k5/7k6 I believe -- even with SIP/ 
SPA - you cannot do >4095 VLANs/chassis on this platform.


> So I ask the question of anyone who knows more on this topic, what  
> is the real difference between v1 & v2 cards ? I would be putting  
> them in a SIP-400 in a 7600 chassis.

The v2 card does do QoS (we tested CoS and DSCP marking), we have done  
some testing on this in CPOC - it's worth bearing in mind that the SPA  
is essentially a framer for the SIP, therefore where there are  
features that are not really related to framing, they are likely to be  
supported on both SPAs.

I can confirm that the v1 SPA does _NOT_ support QinQ termination - it  
will let you configure it with 'encaps dot1q 400 second-dot1q 200',  
but will just fail to do anything. I wish that Cisco would fix it so  
that these cards that do not support a feature do not let you  
configure it!

Kind regards,
Rob

-- 
Rob Shakir                      <rjs at eng.gxn.net>
Network Development Engineer    GX Networks/Vialtus Solutions
ddi: +44208 587 6077            mob: +44797 155 4098
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