Comtech EF Data SLM-5650A - Manual (Page 163)

8–1
Chapter 8. NETWORK
PROCESSOR (NP) INTERFACE
8.1 Introduction
Figure 8-1. Network Processor (NP) Interface Module
The optional SLM-5650A Network Processor (NP) Interface Module (also referred to as the “NP
Interface” or the “card”), shown in Figure 8-1, is Comtech EF Data’s third generation IP router
and Ethernet bridge device. The NP Interface supports a number of primary operating modes:
• Layer 2 Ethernet Bridge Mode
• Layer 2 and Layer 3 SCPC Ethernet BPM (Bridge Point-to-Multipoint) Mode
• Layer 2 and Layer 3 Vipersat BPM Mode
• Layer 3 SCPC IP Router Mode
• Layer 3 Vipersat STDMA Router Mode
The NP Interface is designed to process more than 150,000 packets per second (pps) in Layer 2,
Layer 3, or BPM mode of operation. It provides four RJ-45 connectors for user data, wired as
described in Table 8-1. The NP Interface also has a single RJ-11 console interface that is
intended only for factory-use initial interface configuration. The Maximum Ethernet Frame size
for the SLM-5650A is 1636 bytes for Bridge Mode or 1514 bytes for Router Mode.
To prevent network failure, there should be no more than one Ethernet
connection to a single external switch at any time.