GBIC purpose

[azpioneer]

I would like to know what is the purpose of GBIC.... one of my clients bought 5 units of Cisco 3550 SMI PWR switch with 5 units of 1000 Base T GBIC.... now they need extra 5 more..why?

[Kevin Dorrell]

The GBIC is a physical interface on the switch. It is a small module that slots into a hole in the line the card to provide connection for a Gbit link. Like a sort of mini-port-adapter. It allows one card to serve for several different link technologies: fibre, copper, etc.

I presume they ordered the original 5 for the switch chassis, and now they need the other 5 for whatever is at the other end of the links.

Kevin Dorrell

Luxembourg

[azpioneer]

Thanx for your reply Kevin.

The original 5 for the switch chasis ? Meaning it's used for uplink all the 5 switch together is it?

What do u suppose the other 5 will be used for?? Server or leased line?

SOrry for my questions as I'm a newbie here. Hope you could assist me

[Kevin Dorrell]

Oh, I see. They have bought 5 switches, and 10 GBICs. Well, a link between two switches needs two GBICs, one at each end of the cable, to connect the cable into the chassis.

Presumably they are concentrating the 5 switches into a single core switch. So, they will put a GBIC in each new access switch, and 5 GBICs in the core switch to connect them to.

Kevin Dorrell

Luxembourg