4-3
Network Processing Engine and Network Services Engine Installation and Configuration
OL-4448-12
Chapter 4 NSE-1 Overview
NSE-1 Description and Overview
• System controller
The system controller provides hardware logic to interconnect the processor, DRAM, and the
PCI-based system backplane bus. The NSE-1 has one system controller that provides processor
access to the two midplane and single I/O controller PCI buses. The system controller also allows
port adapters—on either of the two midplane PCI buses—access to SDRAM.
• Upgradable memory modules
The NSE-1 uses SDRAM for providing code, data, and packet storage.
• Cache memory
The NSE-1 has three levels of cache: primary and secondary cache that are internal to the
microprocessor with secondary unified cache for data and instruction, and tertiary, 2-MB external
cache.
• Two environmental sensors for monitoring the cooling air as it leaves the chassis
• Boot ROM for storing sufficient code for booting the Cisco IOS software
Note The NSE-1 does not have packet SRAM.
System Management Functions
The NSE-1 performs the following system management functions:
• Sending and receiving routing protocol updates
• Managing tables, caches, and buffers
• Monitoring interface and environmental status
• Providing Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) management through the console and
Telnet interface
• Accounting for and switching of data traffic
• Booting and reloading images
• Managing port adapters (including recognition and initialization during online insertion and
removal)
Terms and Acronyms
• Cache—Memory with fast access and small capacity used to temporarily store recently accessed
data; found either incorporated into the processor or near it.
• DIMM—dual in-line memory module
• DRAM—dynamic random-access memory
• Instruction and data cache—Instructions to the processor, and data on which the instructions work.
• Integrated cache—Cache that is built into the processor; sometimes referred to as internal cache.
Cache memory physically located outside the processor is not integrated, and is sometimes referred
to as external cache.
• OTP—one time programmable