MX Series MIC Overview

MICs provide the physical connections to various network media types. MICs allow different physical interfaces to be supported on a single line card. You can install MICs of different media types on the same router as long as the router supports those MICs.

MICs receive incoming packets from the network and transmit outgoing packets to the network. During this process, each MIC performs framing and high-speed signaling for its media type. MICs install into Modular Port Concentrators (MPCs) which provide packet forwarding services. Before transmitting outgoing data packets through the MIC interfaces, the Modular Port Concentrator (MPCs) encapsulate the packets received. Each MPC is equipped with up to four Junos Trio chipsets, which perform control functions tailored to the MPC’s media type.

MICs and MPCs function similarly to PICs and FPCs. MICs are hot-removable and hot-insertable. You can install up to two MICs of different media types in the same MPC as long as the MPC supports those MICs. Depending on the MX router chassis, the MICs install vertically or horizontally into MPCs, or directly into the MX router chassis as follows:

• Vertically into MPCs—MX960, MX2008, MX2010, and MX2020 routers

• Horizontally into MPCs—MX10003, MX480, and MX240 routers

• Directly into the router chassis—MX5, MX10, MX40, MX80, and MX104 routers