Engine 3
From Cisco Clue
The Engine 3 (or ISE, Internet Services Engine) was Ciscos attempt to make a feature-rich linecard targeted for the edge of the network where multiple features are required. It was designed with a programmable hardware-based forwarding engine. TCAMs are utilized on this platform to deliver advanced feature processing. The ALPHA (Advanced Layer 3 Packet Handling ASIC) is what handles the high-speed feature processing with its own TCAM each. The only drawback is that the linecard still uses a 2.5Gbps connection to the fabric. This makes such things as the 4 Port Gigabit Ethernet a sad encore performance of the 3 Port Gigabit Ethernet linecard.
This linecard is one of two GSR linecard types that is supported in IOS-XR for the GSR platform. Rumor is because of its architecture utilizing TCAMs is the reason why the Engine 3 is supported.
The Engine 3 linecards also had a late introduction to the market. For various reasons, the Engine 4 linecard was released first before most of the Engine 3 models were ready.
There is also a carrier card (SIP) that operates as an Engine 3 linecard. This carrier card can have SPAs be inserted to offer a similar architecture of PAs and VIPs.
- 2.5Gbps to the fabric
Engine 3:
- 4 Port OC12 POS - Codename: Jag48
- 4 Port Channelized OC12 -> OC3 -> DS3 - Codename: Jag48
- 8/16 Port OC3 POS - Codename: Jag48
- 1 Port OC48 POS - Codename: Jag48
- 1 Port Channelized OC48 -> DS3 - Codename: Jag48
- 4/8 Port OC3 POS - Codename: Silverado
- 1 Port Channelized OC12 -> DS1 - Codename: Frosbite
- 4 Port Gigabit Ethernet - Codename: Tetra
- 4 Port OC3 ATM - Codename: Arava
- 4 Port OC12 ATM - Codename: Pinnacle
- 4 Port OC12 DPT - Codename: Merlin Edge
Engine 3 SPAs:
- 2 Port Channelized DS3 SPA - Codename: Patriot
- 4 Port Channelized DS3 SPA - Codename: Patriot
- 2 Port T3/E3 SPA - Codename: Javelin
- 4 Port T3/E3 SPA - Codename: Javeline
