Cisco Systems NM12DM, NM24DM, MICA-6MOD, NM18DM, MMTL-3600 User Manual

Digital Modem Network Modules
for the Cisco 3600 Platform

OVERVIEW

Introduction

The Cisco 3600 Series is a family of modular, multifunction access
routers for medium and large-sized offices and smaller Internet
ServiceProviders.Withover70modular interface options, theCisco
3600 family provides solutions for voice/data integration, virtual
privatenetworks(VPNs) dial access, andmultiprotocol data routing.
Using Cisco’s Voice/Fax network modules, the Cisco 3600 Series
allows customers to consolidate voice, fax, and data traffic on a
single network infrastructure. The high-performance, modular
architecture of the Cisco 3600 Seriesprotects customers’ investment
innetwork technology and integrates the functionsof severaldevices
into a single, manageable solution.

Now, with this announcement of the new digital modem
networkmodules, the Cisco 3600expandsits role as amultifunction,
branch/enterprise orientated platform that, supports voice over data,
dial access and LAN-to-LAN or routing in one modular platform,
making it an ideal solution for the “power branch” environment.

The following network modules are being announced:

Table 1

Product Product Description

NM-6DM 6 digital modem network module
NM-12DM 12 digital modem network module
NM-18DM 18 digital modem network module
NM-24DM 24 digital modem network module
NM-30DM 30 digital modem network module
MICA-6MOD 6 digital modem upgrade card for the Cisco 3600 digital

MMTL-3600 Managed Modem Software License (available in blocks

modem network modules

of 6 modems)

1

1. Note: These digital modem network modules must operate in conjunction with a
TI/EI/PRI/BRI network module. For details on supported PRI network modules, see
the “Technical Specifications” section.

Features at a Glance

• Up to 30 digital modems per 3620

• Up to 60 digital modems per 3640

• Up to 120 digital modems in a 3660

• Network module requires one slot in a Cisco 3600

• Each network module supports up to 30 digital modems

• Each modem is fully software upgradable

• Speeds up to 56 kbps (V.90) are supported

• The number of modems per chassis can be easily increased on site

• LEDs indicate when the networkmodule is enabled/modem banks
are in use

• PRI, BRI, CT1, and R2 support

• V.110 support

• Dial-out and Fax-out capable

Copyright © 1998 Cisco Systems, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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Digital Modem Features/Benefits

The Cisco 3600, installed with the digital modem network
modules, offers the most flexible, scalable, manageable,
and high-performance dial accesssolution available in themarket
today.

These new network modules utilize either the single or dual
PRI network module, the 4 and 8 port BRI Network Modules, or
the mixed media Fast Ethernet/PRI network module to offer
support for up to 90 remote modem users (using two digital
network modules), at speeds up to 56 kbps. Each network module
supports up to 30 digital modems. Flexible LAN topologies
including Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, and Token Ring are supported.

Theinternal digital modem network moduleisavailablewith
6, 12, 18, 24, and 30 modems preinstalled, and can also be
upgraded on site, from say 18 to 24 modems, as simply
as upgrading computer memory! This scenario gives the
maximum flexibility to grow a dial-in solution as the remote user
base grows.

Support for the new 56K modem technology allows users to
achievemaximum data transfer rates, while still allowing support
for V.34technologies. The modems are software upgradable, and
will support future standards as they become available. This high
speed ensures the fastest downloads of Web pages and files.

Note: Actual speeds vary,dependingon line conditions. Because
of FCC limitations, speeds in the United States are less than 56
kbps.

The Cisco 3600 can take incoming Integrated Services Digital
Network (ISDN) or voice calls and automatically switch them to
the appropriate internal circuitry.ThePRI/BRI switching is based
on Q.931 messaging in the ISDN D channel. This out-of-band
signaling channel provides a way for the telephone network to
label each call as to the type of call. Specifically, when an
incoming call is labeled “voice” by the telephone network, the
Cisco 3600 directs it to one of its modems. When a call is labeled
“ISDN data”, it is directed to one of its High-Level Data Link
Control (HDLC) controllers. The benefits here are one phone
number for modem and ISDN users. R2 and CT1 interfaces also
support this switching ability.

The Cisco 3600 provides complete centrally managed
modem capabilities, key requirements for branches and
enterprises building midsized dial-in pools. The Cisco 3600
modems can be managed via the same Simple Network
Management Protocol (SNMP)-based tools used to manage the
rest of the network, providing network managers with one
solution at a central management point. Optional enhanced
modem management (Management Modem Technology License
[MMTL])capabilities allow for the gathering ofmodemstatistics,
real-time call-in-progress, monitoring modem activity log,
modem hard/soft busy out, and the ability to accomplish modem
firmware upgrades.

The installed modems can be utilized by LAN users for
dial-out and fax-out applications, utilizing 3rd party applications
such as the one available from Tactical Software. The modems
can be assigned as dial-in, dial-out, or both. Dial-out support
allows the LAN users to utilize the modems during the day for
outgoing calls, and use the same modems in the evening for
incoming calls from home users.

The ever-expanding numbers of remote users can be easily
accommodated with the support for Multilink Multichassis PPP,
allowing dial-in pools of lines to span numerous Cisco 3600
routers. Through the use of Layer2 Forwarding (L2F) technology
and Cisco’s exclusive Stack Group Bidding Protocol (SGBP), the
Cisco 3600 can growtomeet the requirementsof the fast-growing
and frequently changing dial environments. Since the essential
building block is a relatively small investment, enterprises and
branch offices can scale from very small to larger installations.

®

TheCisco IOS

softwarecan help maximize dialbandwidth,
utilizing numerous features such as bandwidth on demand and
protocol spoofing. These software features directly reduce line
usage and reduce the cost associated with a remote access
solution.

Lower operating costs are achievable with the Cisco 3600’s
set of central management. The Cisco 3600 and its internal
modems can be managed with CiscoWorks software. In addition,
Cisco’s configuration management capabilities provide network
managers with complete control over network statistics and the
ability to configure and tune network operations from a central
location. Finally, comprehensive debugging tools in Cisco IOS
software substantially reduce the time and cost associated with
problem isolation and correction.

Copyright © 1998 Cisco Systems, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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