Differences between PFC3A and PFC3B

[mjoc27x]

Hi,

Can anyone point me at the documentation that details the functional differences between a PFC3A (on a SUP720) and a PFC3B?

The current docs (http://www.cisco.com/en/US/prod/collateral/switches/ps5718/ps708/product_data_sheet09186a0080159856.html) detail the difference between a PFC3B and a PFC3BXL, but not the PFC3A.

Thanks,

Mike.

[krahmani323]

Hi Mike,

About your question as PFC3x are associated with the supervisor module reference WS-SUP720-(3x), I think the best it to check for the performance/feature differences globally on the SUP720 modules.

The PFC3/DFC3 generation is built upon a forwarding architecture  known as EARL7. Within this generation, there are three different  versions – 'A', 'B', and 'BXL' – that are all based on the same  fundamental technologies but that each have incremental functionality.  'A' is the standard offering; 'B' is the intermediate option, and 'BXL'  is the high-end option.

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About the difference details you can check the information taken from the table of the below link which underlines the differents values for the features (pps for ipv4/ipv6, qos, security and so on...) ==>

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/prod/collateral/switches/ps5718/ps708/product_data_sheet09186a0080159856.html

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The Supervisor Engine 720 features the PFC3, which is equipped with a high-performance ASIC complex supporting a range of hardware-based features.

The PFC3 supports routing and bridging, QoS, and multicast packet replication, and processes security policies such as access control lists (ACLs).

The variants of PFC3 distinguish the various  Supervisor 720 families of engines. There are three flavors, PFC3A,  PFC3B and PFC3BXL, correspond to WS-SUP720, WS-SUP720-3B and  WS-SUP720-3BXL.

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Also there is (backward) compatibility information to check according to question A of this link

=>

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/switches/ps708/products_qanda_item09186a00809a7673.shtml#qa1

have a great day

Thanks

Karim

[krahmani323 · Accepted solution]

Moreover,

In order to compare the features/performances of the first PFC3A ( in the EOL/EOS  WS-SUP720) with the later generations (not listed in the different tables provided in the link), you can take the information from the pdf in attachments.

Regards.

Karim

[dominic.caron · Accepted solution]

The big difference between PFC3A and the other one is:

1-ACE counters (This was actualy a bug in PFC3A, turned it into a feature)

2-MPLS in hardware

[mjoc27x]

Thanks guys, I think we've got all the facets covered by the collective replies.  It would still be nice if Cisco had published one definitive document covering all three models, but never mind.

Thanks again,

Mike.